Obligations existing in Slovakia for products hunting/sports “weapons”
Question
I am reaching out to inquire about the regulations and obligations pertaining to hunting/sports “weapons” in Slovakia.
Specifically, I am interested in understanding the various applicable texts, regulations, and rules concerning the design, labeling (including any required norms and compulsory labeling), as well as marketing rules. This includes aspects such as administrative authorizations, safety regulations within stores, requirements for displaying hunting licenses in stores, and any other relevant information for the following products:
1.Knives
2.Bows (with a maximum power of 60 lb)
3.Underwater crossbows
4.Daggers (with a maximum blade length of 26 cm)
5.Strong cabinets (mechanical, not electrical)
6.Laser guns.
Answer
In response to your inquiry, please, find below the answer provided by the competent authority, the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic:
As regards Point 1 and 4:
The length of blades is not limited by the Slovak legal order. They are not considered to be weapons pursuant to Act No. 190/2003 Coll. on Firearms and Ammunition and on Amendments to Certain Acts, as amended (hereinafter the “Firearms and Ammunition Act”).
According to § 47 par. 1, par. h) of the Act No. 372/1990 Coll. on offenses, as amended, the offense shall be committed by those carrying cold weapons in places accessible to the public, in particular daggers, bayonets and sabers, unless these are part of uniform, historical or national costume, armed forces, armed corps and armed equipment security, or sporting activities, exercise of hunting law, exercise of fishing law, profession or occupation. The offense concerns also other objects/items which may be harmful to health, whenever the circumstances or behavior of person make an appearance they could be used for violence or threat of violence.
As regards Point 2:
According to the Firearms and Ammunition Act, bows belong to a category D weapon if their tensioning force is greater than 150 N. In this case, at the time of purchase, a person must be at least 18 years, and only such weapon can be shooted at the shooting range. Note: 60 lb is about 267 N.
As regards Point 3:
In the case of rubber-coated underwater crossbows, the same applies as in the point 2.
As regards Point 5:
In the case of cabinets for weapons or ammunition, a lockable safe is required for securing of weapons and ammunition to be met the conditions specified in Section 55 of the Firearms and Ammunition Act.
For more information we recommend you to contact directly Legislation section of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic, as a competent authority for fishing and hunting law.