MPs from the “Friendly State” parliamentary committee (Przyjazne Panstwo) have introduced changes to firearms law.
According to the draft bill, there will be three types of licences: a basic licence for keeping arms, an advanced licence for bearing arms and a citizen arms card, which will entitle to possess gas, hunting or historical arms.
The applicant for such licenses will have to be 21 years old or over, registered in Poland, cannot possess a criminal record and may not be mentally ill.
Furthermore, applicants must demonstrate a capability to handle and use a firearm safely, finally passing a special exam.
In case of a citizen arms card no exams, registration or certain age will be necessary. The applicant will only need to explain why they want to possess such arms.
The draft bill has already been filed in Parliament, but it will not be easy to pass it: in December, the ruling Civic Platform announced it would not support the amendment to the gun law. “There is no proof that people will be safer if they have better access to firearms,” said PM Donald Tusk. (mg/jb)