Government fails to reach consensus on interior minister’s gun law amendment

The Czech government failed to reach a consensus on Monday on an amendment which, if approved, would enable Czechs with firearms licenses to draw and use their weapon against perpetrators in the event of a terrorist attack. The bill was put forward by Interior Minister Milan Chovanec; the Czech News Agency reported the legislation has the support of over 30 MPs from parties across the political spectrum, including the Communists and the Civic Democrats. The government’s lack of a position on the proposal means it will be solely up to Parliament to decide whether it moves forward. Some have criticised the proposal, charging that allowing citizens to take matters into their own hands in the event of an attack could – without special training – make matters worse.