According to wikipedia:
Gun ownership in Poland is regulated by the Weapons and Munitions Act. A license is required to keep and purchase firearms. As a result of very strict controls in the past, gun ownership in Poland is the lowest in the European Union, at one firearm per 100 citizens.[99] However, the gun laws were relaxed in 2011 and again in 2014. The main part of the new legislation was the removal of police discretionary power to refuse the license without any explanation, making it possible for a relatively determined person to obtain the permit so long as all criminal record, firearms training, storage and psychological exam requirements are met - the police has no authority to refuse the license. Licenses to own firearms for civilians divided into 4 categories
While yes, they don't have authority to refuse (which they did like all the time before, unless you had connections), it's still not that simple.
1. For Hunting Shotguns and rifles are permitted including semi-automatics. Hunting permits are one of the easiest legal means to own firearms in Poland. One has to belong to hunting association and pass a hunting course and then regular firearms screening (like criminal record check), medical and psychological exam and prove the ability to safely store firearms. There is a limit on the number of firearms owned in this category at a maximum of 10 guns. When applying for the hunting license, one has to specify the number of firearms they intend to own. If they say 2, the permit is issued for 2; each additional firearm beyond 2, one has to reapply for a new permit. Hunting permits are valid for 5 years.
You have to belong to hunting association, which means being rich enough to actually afford paying to be in one. There's also more stuff that's not mentioned there. It's pain in ass in any case.
2. For Collection This type of permit is also one of the easier ways to own firearms in Poland - in the sense that it is less than 6 months from the start of the process to actual possession of a firearm. One needs to demonstrate a valid reason and interest in order to apply for collectors permit. Passing the regular firearms screening (like criminal record check), medical and psychological exam and proof of the ability to safely store firearms are also required. The limits on numbers of firearms an individual may poses under this license are relatively liberal. Shooting and ammunition possession for collector firearms are governed by a separate permit. This type of license does not allow for the carry of firearms in public.
You can't actually shoot those. Like, at all, despite what it says about separate permit, because that separate permit is bureaucratic illusion.
3. Target shooting It is quite a regulated permit type and will normally take 6–12 months to obtain. It requires the applicant to belong to a target shooting association and possess valid Shooting Competition License [of which annual renewal requires taking part in 2 to 4 ISSF regulated shooting competitions for each firearm category (pistol, rifle, shotgun)]. Passing the regular firearms screening (like criminal record check), medical and psychological exam and proof of the ability to safely store firearms are also required. This type of license allows the carrying of loaded, concealed firearm in public.
Same shit as hunting, and if I recall correctly, the selection of guns is very heavily restricted.
4. For self-defence It is one of the most regulated permit to get - fewer than 20,000 are issued in the whole country. One needs to really demonstrate need for such a permit; it is not easily given unless there is a really good reason.
Joke. The "really good reason" is being able to bribe out the police or having political connections so they're scared to refuse.
There are also separate permits for higher ranking ex-military and police officers; generally, they are allowed to own .25cal [small] pistol for the rest of their life. There are also institutional permits for Security Companies.
There is no requirement for a firearms license for:
Separate loading weapons constructed before 1885 or replicas of those weapons
Weapons in museum collections (others regulations)
Professional weapons dealers (separate concession needed)
Gunsmiths (regulated by other laws)
Handheld, incapacitating gas throwers
Weapons with shooting capability permanently removed
Starting pistol or other handgun, that could fire only 6mm (or less) caliber blank cartridges
Airsoft guns with fire power less than 17J
Airsoft guns with fire power equal to or more than 17J (although, the firearm must be registered at appropriate police department after purchase)
Some types of weapons, such as crossbows, require the same license as the firearms.
In order to get a gun license, one must:
Prove they are not a danger to themselves or the general public by passing a psychological evaluation; The psychological evaluation must be repeated every 5 years for people holding self defense permits.
Have no criminal record;
Give a valid reason for wanting to own a gun, such as self defense, sport shooting, collecting or hunting. If the reason is self defense, one must prove that his/her life is in "constant, substantial and higher than average" danger.
Pass an exam in proper weapon handling, held by the police, Polish Sports Shooting Association (PZSS) or Polish Hunting Association (PZŁ).
In general, the permit is shall issue for sport shooting, collecting or hunting and may issue for self defence.
Just a bunch of random stuff I won't really comment on because it's self-explanatory.
I dunno, this doesn't seem to be saying rimfires are banned.
The only stuff I can find as being being banned are automatics, disguised firearms, and AP, incendiary, and expanding ammunition.
I mean, sure, yeah, if you consider owning the license making stuff not banned, that makes sense. But the licenses themselves are actually way fucking harder to get than "relatively determined" person could. Basically, you have to either be Police/Military, rich, or be politically connected (which also means you're rich).
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