[REVISION HISTORY]
Firearm ownership and regulation in Poland
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2026-11-09 14:25 UTC → 2026-11-10 15:03 UTC ·
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Firearm ownership in Poland is a regulated administrative process governed by the Act on Weapons and Ammunition. Applicants must meet specific age, residency, and criminal record requirements, and must provide medical and psychological certifications. Licenses are not general but are issued for specific purposes, such as sports, collecting, or hunting. By the end of 2025, data from the Polish Police indicated that legal firearm ownership by private individuals surpassed one million units, registered under 411,769 administrative decisions. This increase followed a rise in applications after 2022, which was linked to changes in the geopolitical situation and the war in Ukraine. It is estimated that legal firearms are held by less than 1 percent of Polish citizens. A recent mass shooting in Krakow, where a 24-year-old suspect reportedly killed Krakow’s Main Market Square, which left six people dead and wounded approximately 15 to 16 using a semi-automatic rifle, others injured, has prompted discussions ignited a national debate regarding firearm access and safety. safety protocols. The perpetrator, 24-year-old Michał Oksiński, had legally obtained a permit six months prior to the attack and had passed psychological evaluations in March 2026. At the time of the shooting, he reportedly possessed four types of weapons, including two Ar-15 rifles. Government officials have proposed various responses. Deputy Minister of National Defense Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka suggested limiting the number of firearms an individual can own for sporting purposes, while Deputy Minister of Interior Czesław Mroczek announced a review of permit procedures and black powder weapon regulations. The Polish National Security Bureau (BBN) has also called for a thorough analysis of the current permit issuance system. However, Zbigniew Bogucki, Chief of the Presidential Chancellery, argued that the tragedy should not end discussions on responsible firearm access, citing regional security threats.
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- 2026-11-10 15:03 UTC Firearm ownership and regulation in Poland
- 2026-11-09 14:25 UTC Firearm ownership and regulation in Poland
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