The Poles threw themselves at a firearm. All for one reason
The numbers speak for themselves. Crime in Poland is falling. The data published by the Police Headquarters show that in 2024 police officers initiated proceedings in Case 439796 criminal offenses. It is 44020 less than in 2023.
They registered over 500 killings, over 1,100 rapes and 1,200 criminal crimes per day. In total, almost PLN 160 million was stolen. Despite the fact that the tendency is decreasing, Poles are increasing in interest in having weapons and using it.
The changes are observed by the owners of weapons. We talked to one of them. – We have a war situation in Ukraine, interest in weapons and sales in Poland has significantly increased, but there are as many supporters as opponents of arms – notes Damian Szatkowski, the owner of a weapon store in Bydgoszcz.
– There was a moment, especially at the beginning of the war, that some ammunition calibers were missing, but now the situation is normalized, prices did not soar up either. Poles buy ammunition and store it, even in several thousand pieces, because they say that it is not known what will happen – says the man. The « pump » and short guns are most often bought.
Access to weapons. Permission is easier to get than pass a driving test
Weapons are not only a male domain. It's a stereotype. Women also buy it. Often, as they say, this is dictated by a lack of a sense of security in everyday life, on the street. – We have a lot of clients. Women often use weapons better than men, they are calmer and more mastered, especially at longer distances – admits Mr. Damian. He is convinced that in Poland a weapon permission is easier to get than pass a driving test. At the same time, it reminds of the need to maintain safety when using firearms.
– We are responsible for ourselves and for bystanders. The weapon does not shoot himself, then a man is responsible for servicing weapons and if we keep the safety rules, you do not need to be afraid of weapons. The last accident at the shooting range in Godawy (the man waved the charged weapon and shot the 70-year-old-editor's note) during this is an example. Watching a video from this incident, I knew that an accident would occur. The question was only at what moment – says Mr. Damian.
There are more permits. Most for weapons for personal defense
What results from police statistics? In 2023, in Bydgoszcz alone, 208 weapons permits were issued to personal protection, while in 2024 590 permits, there were fewer permits for hunting weapons (from 232 to 179), more for Sportowa (from 545 to 579), collector (from 600 to 614) and training (from 2 to 5).
– Looking at this list, it can be clearly stated that there are more and more weapons permits. Compliance with 2023 and 2024, the biggest difference can be seen in permits for personal protection. This is mainly dictated by a change in provisions that were introduced two years ago in the Act on weapons and ammunition. The new provisions allow officers of uniformed services to apply for a weapon permit for the purposes of strengthening the defense potential of the Republic of Poland (Article 10 (3) and the Act on weapons and ammunition) – says nadkom. Przemysław Słomski from the press team of KWP Bydgoszcz.
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Poles began to think seriously about their safety at the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
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Marek Dembski / Newspix.pl
Ammunition was more expensive at the beginning of the war, now the weapon seller is observing that prices have normalized.
