Slovak Parliament approves firearms licenses for people with hearing impairments

The National Council of the Slovak Republic has approved an amendment to the firearms and ammunition law that allows individuals with hearing impairments to obtain category E (sport) and category F (collecting) firearms licenses.

The amendment, proposed by Roman Malatinec, aims to eliminate what he described as unproportional and unjustified discrimination. Malatinec noted that current restrictions regarding hearing acuity do not account for the fact that shooting activities are primarily visual and motor-based, where safety signals can be communicated through visual cues and gestures.

The new law maintains all other health requirements, including visual acuity, motor skills, and psychological fitness, to ensure safety. The changes are scheduled to take effect on November 1, 2026.