Operating shooting ranges and instruction and training in shooting with a firearm
Field of activity No. 18 under the Trade Licensing Act.
What you need: Expertise plus a state authorisation — a concession from the trade licensing office.
- Koncesovaná živnost
- Field No. 18
- See conditions below
- 8 activity examples
A licensed (concession) trade (field No. 18) covering the operation of shooting ranges and instruction and training in shooting with a firearm. To carry it on you need a concession granted by the Trade Licensing Office in administrative proceedings, proof of professional qualification under Annex 3, and satisfaction of the reliability condition under Act No. 451/1991 Coll. The licence comes into existence only on the date on which the decision granting the concession becomes final.
Special condition under Annex 3 and Section 27(3) of the Trade Licensing Act: reliability of the entrepreneur, of the statutory body or of the members of the statutory body under Section 1(5) of Act No. 451/1991 Coll.
Professional qualification under Annex 3 to the Trade Licensing Act - satisfying one of the following variants:
University education in a study programme and field focused on military science, the police, or physical culture, physical education and sport, and 2 years of experience in directing shooting or operating shooting ranges.
Higher professional education in a field of study focused on military science, the police, or physical culture, physical education and sport, and 2 years of experience in directing shooting or operating shooting ranges.
Secondary education with a maturita examination in a field of study focused on military science or the police, and 2 years of experience in directing shooting or operating shooting ranges.
A referee's or shooting coach's licence and 3 years of experience in directing shooting or operating shooting ranges.
Professional qualification may also be ensured through a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act.
The granting of the concession is decided by the Trade Licensing Office in administrative proceedings; for this trade, Annex 3 does not require an opinion from a special state administration body on the concession application. The licence comes into existence only on the date on which the decision granting the concession becomes final.
Examples of activities
- Operating a shooting range for instruction and practice in shooting with firearms
- Carrying out live shooting at a shooting range under the supervision of the range administrator
- Theoretical instruction in shooting, including related legislation (firearms law)
- Instruction in safety and first-aid essentials when handling a firearm
- Conducting and practical training in shooting with an entrusted firearm under supervision
- Training in aiming, safe handling and maintenance of short and long firearms
- Preparing applicants for the practical part of the professional competence examination for a firearms licence applicant
- Organising defensive and sport shooting courses for the public
What this trade is and what it is for
The trade Operating shooting ranges and instruction and training in shooting with a firearm is a licensed (concession) trade classified under field No. 18 of Annex 3 to the Trade Licensing Act (Act No. 455/1991 Coll.). It authorises you to operate a shooting range as a facility for the practice and conduct of shooting and, at the same time, to provide expert instruction and training of persons in the handling of a firearm.
The content of the activity is operating a shooting range for instruction and practice in shooting and carrying out live shooting with firearms, as well as instruction in the theory of shooting, including related legislation, safety and first-aid essentials, conducting practice and carrying out shooting with firearms, and entrusting a firearm under supervision. It is a regulated field closely linked to the Firearms Act (No. 119/2002 Coll.).
What this trade covers (and what it does not)
The trade covers in particular:
- the operation and management of a shooting range (short and long firearms),
- theoretical and practical instruction in shooting and the safe handling of a firearm,
- conducting shooting under supervision and entrusting a firearm to trainees at the range.
This trade does not include the purchase and sale of firearms and ammunition or their repair and modification - that is a separate concession trade Development, manufacture, repair, modification, purchase, sale, lending, storage, transport and decommissioning of firearms and ammunition. Nor does it include the pursuit of hunting or commercial security. If you wish to combine these activities, you need a separate authorisation for each.
Conditions for obtaining the trade under the law
You must satisfy the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act: full legal capacity (which may, in the case of a minor, be substituted by the court's approval of the legal representative's consent) and a clean criminal record.
Annex 3 additionally lays down a special condition for this trade - the reliability of the entrepreneur, of the statutory body or of the members of the statutory body under Section 1(5) of Act No. 451/1991 Coll. (via the mechanism under Section 27(3) of the Trade Licensing Act).
You must also demonstrate professional qualification under Annex 3 to the Trade Licensing Act. Satisfying one of the following variants suffices:
| Education / document | Focus | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| University education | military science, the police, or physical culture, physical education and sport | 2 years |
| Higher professional education | military science, the police, or physical culture, physical education and sport | 2 years |
| Secondary education with a maturita examination | military science or the police | 2 years |
| Referee's or shooting coach's licence | - | 3 years |
Experience means experience in directing shooting or operating shooting ranges. If you do not meet the professional qualification yourself, you may ensure it through a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act.
For a concession trade, the licence is decided by the Trade Licensing Office in administrative proceedings. For this particular trade, Annex 3 does not require an opinion from a special state administration body on the concession application (unlike, for example, the manufacture of firearms and ammunition). The licence comes into existence only on the date on which the decision granting the concession becomes final, not on notification.
How to notify or obtain the trade step by step
- Prepare proof of professional qualification, proof of reliability and the supporting documents for the application.
- Complete the Unified Registration Form (URF) - concession application.
- Submit the application to any municipal Trade Licensing Office, electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT contact point.
- The office assesses compliance with the general and special conditions and the professional qualification.
- Once the decision granting the concession becomes final, it enters you in the Trade Register.
The office decides on the concession normally within 30 days. The detailed procedure can be found in the guide /jak-zalozit-zivnost.
Documents and fees
- the completed URF (concession application),
- proof of identity,
- proof of professional qualification (education, experience, or a referee's/coach's licence),
- proof of reliability under Act No. 451/1991 Coll.,
- the responsible representative's documents and declaration, where applicable,
- administrative fee for a concession application: CZK 1,000 (first entry into business), CZK 500 for a further concession.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a firearms licence for the concession?
The firearms licence itself is not a direct condition for granting the concession, but in practice you need it for the safe operation of a shooting range and the handling of firearms under the Firearms Act (No. 119/2002 Coll.). Verify the details with the Police of the Czech Republic.
Does the police give an opinion on my application?
For this trade, Annex 3 does not require an opinion from a special state administration body on the concession. Only the Trade Licensing Office decides. The Police of the Czech Republic do, however, act under the related regime of the Firearms Act (e.g. firearms licences, permits to operate a shooting range).
When may I start trading?
Only on the date on which the decision granting the concession becomes final. Unlike notifiable trades, you cannot start as early as on submission of the application.
Can I substitute the qualification with a responsible representative?
Yes. If you do not meet the professional qualification yourself, you may appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who does meet it.
How long does processing take?
The office decides on the concession normally within 30 days; the time limit may run from the supplementing of the supporting documents.