In 2022—when the conflict escalated—37,400 new licenses were issued, and another 40,900 in 2023. Altogether, 367,400 people now legally own guns in Poland, with the total number of registered firearms nearing one million. By comparison, there were 463,800 licensed firearms in 2017.
Criminologist Professor Brunon Holyst told Rzeczpospolita last year that the surge in ownership was directly linked to Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
“People are insecure, so they want to stock up on weapons,” he said, adding that concerns about personal safety and property also played a role.
Former lawmaker and ex-policeman Jerzy Dziewulski noted that ownership isn’t just about security—ego factors in as well.
“It boosts every guy’s ego, especially if my friend had a gun and I didn’t,” he told the newspaper. Dziewulski added that liberalized legislation has made it easier to acquire firearms.
The increase in civilian gun permits comes as Polish authorities prepare optional military training for adult men, part of a broader plan to bolster national defense. Detailed logistics on implementing this initiative remain under discussion.
(jh)
Source: Rzeczpospolita