Gun laws in Poland

The number of legally owned guns by citizens in Poland has nearly tripled in the past 15 years from 131,000 in 1999 to 340,000 in 2014. The laws governing gun ownership in Poland are more restrictive than many other countries including the United States.

The right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by Polish law. In Poland, only licensed gun owners may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition. In the U.S. licensing is primarily used in cases when citizens want a permit to conceal carry a firearm, which demands formal certified training before applying for a CCW permit.

Polish Pistol Radom P-35
World War II Vintage

Guiding gun control legislation in Poland includes the Law of January 31, 1961 on firearm ammunition and explosive, the Council Directive of June 18, 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons, the European Union Firearms Regulation of 2012 and the Common Position on the Control of Arms Brokering of 2003.

Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in Poland are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target shooting, personal protection, security. The minimum age for gun ownership in Poland is 18 years

An applicant for a firearm licence in Poland must pass a background check which considers criminal, mental and domestic violence records. Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Poland stipulates that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

In Poland, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is require for a firearm licence. Authorities maintain a record of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition


Licensed firearm owners in Poland are permitted to possess only ammunition suitable for the intended firearm.