What Firearms we can legally own in Poland and how to get a license?
You have probably heard that firearms law in Poland is much better than in the uk. This is true, and I’d like to say that firearms law in Poland is one of the best in all European Union regarding possession, carrying and using firearms for training.
First of all, there are no restrictions on full-bore semi-auto pistols and rifles, no restrictions on magazine capacities, and once you get your firearms license you can get anything you want within the calibre limits stated on your firearms license. This is why people from all over Europe, especially from Western Europe, come to Poland or the Czech Republic for Firearms Training. Firearms licenses in Poland get for life too, and you don't have to renew them.
Remember, Poland is ONLY 2 hour flight away from the uk and getting there by cheap airlines like Wizzair or Ryanair has never made things easier for those from the uk who want to learn how to shoot proper calibre semi-auto pistols and rifles.
Let’s start with what you can have in Poland, and then we’ll talk about how you can get it and go through the process of applying for a firearms license in Poland. I'll write another article about what kind of training you can get in Poland and here you may be shocked! Stay tuned!
On top of that, you need to be a Polish Citizen and have a PESEL number.
If you are a firearms license holder in Poland, here is what you can get:
.Semi-Automatic Pistols with calibre up to 12mm (just below .50BMG) without limitation on magazine capacity
.Semi-Automatic Rifles with a calibre (just below .50BMG) without restriction on magazine capacity
.Semi-Automatic/Pump Action Shotguns without restriction on magazine capacity.
.Hunting Rifles on Hunting Firearms License without limitation on calibre (Yes! .50BMG and 20mm too)
.Full Auto Rifles and SMGs if you run a training company for security services.
There are NO RESTRICTIONS on magazine capacities, barrel length (Yes, we can have a 7.5inch AR15! With foldable buttstock), foldable buttstocks, and other bullshit that the EU tries to implement in every member country. All firearms you can legally have in Poland can have a Military look with extra tactical equipment – there are also no restrictions on that.
The only thing people who created the firearms law in Poland did not think of are suppressors. You can get a suppressor in Poland without any license, and everybody can buy it. There are no restrictions on selling and possessing it, but if you mount it on the firearm, your firearm becomes extremely dangerous, according to Polish Firearms Law, and this is illegal.
Ok, I can forgive this minor inconvenience. When nobody sees suppressors attached to shooter's rifles and shooting fiesta in Poland goes on.
How to get a FIREARMS LICENSE in Poland?
There are a few ways depending on which route you would like to take.
1.Sporting License – this one is the most common, and most Polish shooters go this way.
Here is what you need to do:
a)Join the Shooting Club or Shooting Association
b)Spend three probationary months in the club/association. Get trained and know how to use firearms.
c)After three months, you can become a full member and then do an exam for Shooting PATENT. (theory and practical)
d)Apply for a SPORTING LICENSE in your shooting club.
e)Take part in Shooting Competition 2-3 times or more if you want.
f)Do your Medical Check (psychiatric/psychological test/eye checking etc.) I’ve spent 6 hours running from room to room and got it the same day😊
g)Once we get all the above, we can apply for a sporting firearms license in Poland at County Police Station. The process usually takes 30 days if there are no issues, plus time spent in your shooting club. At this time, you’ll have a visit from your local Police Station to check on you and have a chat. Police will also visit your neighbours to ask an opinion about you. Once they give a favourable report on you, you are good to go.
Once you pass the process, you can receive a firearms license for usually 4-6 firearms necessary for your competitions—usually, I’ts: Semi-Auto Pistol, Semi-Auto Rifle, 22lr Pistol/Rifle / Shotgun.
Under the Sporting Firearms License, you can conceal carry your firearms in public places without additional licenses. You can’t carry on Public Transport though. (bus, train)
2.Firearms Collector License – many shooters choose this license as you can apply for a large number of firearms at once.
Here is what you need to do:
a)Join the Firearms Collector Association -you can do it online too.
b)You must pass a written and practical exam by the County Police Department. This one is hard, and you have to prepare yourself for it. You need to know all the firearms legislation which are in place in Poland, as well as a law about the use of force. There are ten questions on the test, and you have to answer all ten positively to go to stage two, which is a practical test on the shooting range. You need to know specific firearms, how to disassemble and assemble them, name the parts, etc. Show that you can load and unload. In the end, there is a shooting test based on the score.
c)You have to do your medical check. The same as for Sporting Firearms License. (look above)
d)Once we get all the above, we can apply for a sporting firearms license in Poland. The process is the same as above. Local Police will do the checks on you, and if they give a positive opinion, you should be good to go.
Once you pass the process, you can apply for even 25-30 firearms units, but recommended is 10 to stats with for a smooth process. You can apply for various firearms types, but you have to include them in the practical test with your County Police. (for example, full bore up to 12mm, .22lr, shotgun, semi-auto rifles, semi-auto pistol) You can’t conceal carry firearms on a Collectors Firearms License in Poland – only if you have written permission from a chief constable from a county police station.
3.Training Firearms License – here is an option if you are planning or running a Firearms Training Company. This is the route I choose for various reasons.
Here is what you need to do:
a)Open and register a firearms training company in Poland. It takes you to fill out the form and bring it to your local office for verification, and I know that you can do it with your bank online too.
b)Complete recognized by Polish Authority firearms instructor course.
c)Complete a course to receive Range Safety Officer(RSO) qualifications.
d)Written and Practical exam run by County Police Department. Description above.
e)You have to do your medical check. The same as for Sporting and Collectors Firearms Licenses. (look above)
f)Once we get all the above, we can apply for Training Firearms License in Poland. The process is the same as above. Local Police will do the checks on you, and if they give a positive opinion, you should be good to go.
Once you pass the process, you’ll be able to apply for a reasonable number of firearms. I applied for 25 and got this number granted. Once you run out of empty slots, you can always apply for an extension. You can conceal carry Training Firearms in Public Places (excluding public transport such as buses and trains).
4.Firearms for Self Defence License – to get this one, you must prove that your life/property or health is in danger. For example, have reported previously to the Police incidents that your life was in danger, etc. Somebody is threatening you, or you run a high-risk business such as currency exchange, and you deal with cash transport yourself.
Here is what you need to do:
a)Written and Practical exam run by County Police Department. Description above.
b)You have to do your medical check. The same as for Sporting and Collectors Firearms Licenses. (look above)
c)Write to the Chief Constable of County Police and explain why you need a firearms license for self-protection or property protection. It would be best if you had a very good reason.
It’s complicated to obtain this license in Poland, and you must have a good reason to possess firearms for self-defence. Interestingly, you can apply for a sporting or training license, and on the same basis, you can carry and use your guns for self-defence. Once the permit is granted, you usually get a semi-auto pistol or revolver.
1.Hunting Firearms License – if you are a hunter, this is an excellent option for you to receive a firearms license for hunting.
Here is what you need to do:
a)You need to become a member of a Hunting Association
b)You need to spend 12 months in Hunting Association as an active member and participate in training, animal feeding, building hunting stages, helping organise hunts, etc.
c)You have to pass the tests in your hunting association.
d)You can apply for a hunting firearms license at County Police Station.
Once you receive your hunting firearms license, you can get the hunting rifle you applied for and enjoy hunting within the hunting association you belong to. This license has no restrictions on calibres, and it can be a semi-auto rifle. You can’t own pistols under your hunting license.
As you can see, Poland has many opportunities to own and carry a firearm as a law-abiding citizen. Poland is even less restricted than some states in the USA, such as California or even Massachusetts, where there is a limitation on the magazine capacities. Of course, getting a firearms license in Poland takes time (usually about six months), but I think it’s ok as only those who want and come through various background checks and medical checks can legally own it.
Welcome to the “Texas” of Europe, and I hope to see you guys on our shooting courses in Poland as we have a lot to offer. Check our Tactical Firearms and close protectioncourses.
