Collector's Firearm Permit

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Would you like to obtain a permit for a collector’s firearm in Gorzów Wielkopolski or another city? Under Polish law, such a permit is required to collect firearms. That’s why we’ve prepared a brief guide for you on the entire process of applying for such a permit.

Statutory Requirements

Any citizen wishing to obtain a firearms permit for collection purposes—in Gorzów Wielkopolski, Racławie, Poznań, or any other city in Poland—must meet the requirements set forth in the Firearms and Ammunition Act:

• 21 years of age or older,
• mentally healthy – this requires psychological evaluations to assess our mental state,
• not dependent on alcohol or other psychoactive substances,
• who has a permanent residence in the Republic of Poland,
• He has no criminal record and has not been convicted of any intentional or unintentional crimes.

So, if you meet these requirements, you can begin the process of applying for a collector's firearm permit.

How do you become a firearms collector?

To become a firearms collector, all you need to do is join a collectors’ association and become a full member. Individuals authorized to act on behalf of the association issue a certificate of membership. This document is a required attachment to the application for a collector’s firearm permit, which must be submitted to the WPA.

Medical Examinations

To obtain a certificate confirming that you have undergone the required examinations, you must visit doctors who are authorized to conduct medical and psychological examinations for individuals applying for or holding a firearm permit. During the medical examination, your overall health is assessed (including an eye exam, blood sugar test, ECG for individuals over 40, and nervous system tests).

ATTENTION! A medical certificate serves as the basis for issuing a firearms permit for a period of 3 months from the date the certificate was issued.

The psychological evaluation involves taking psychological tests designed to assess the applicant’s level of intellectual development and describe their personality traits—including how they function in difficult situations—as well as to determine their level of social maturity.

ATTENTION! A psychological evaluation serves as the basis for issuing a firearms permit for a period of 3 months from the date the evaluation is issued.

A visit to the administrative proceedings department of the provincial police headquarters.

To obtain a permit for a collector's firearm at a police station, you must submit the following:

• application for a firearms permit for collection purposes,
• 2 photographs (3 cm x 4 cm),
• a copy of your ID card or passport (original for inspection),
• medical certificate,
• psychological evaluation,
• a certificate of membership in a collectors' association.

Next, you must make the following payments:

• for the decision – 242 zł,
• for a permit (certificate for the purchase of a firearm): 17 zł per permit,
• If you are applying for a firearms permit for collection purposes, you must go to the nearest Provincial Police Headquarters

Theoretical and Practical Exam

The next step is the theoretical and practical exam for collector's firearms at the WPA.

The theoretical exam is administered in the form of a test containing questions on knowledge of the provisions of the Act of May 21, 1999, on Weapons and Ammunition, regulations issued pursuant to that Act, and knowledge of the provisions of the Criminal Code concerning weapons-related offenses. To pass the theoretical exam, you must answer all questions correctly. If you are applying for a permit for a sporting firearm, the exam may be administered orally.

Passing the written exam is a prerequisite for taking the practical exam for collector’s firearms. The practical exam takes place at a shooting range and includes: verifying compliance with the shooting range regulations; assessing the candidate’s ability to properly assemble and disassemble the firearm, load and unload it with ammunition, and engage and disengage the safety; as well as demonstrating how to handle the firearm in the event of a malfunction; and conducting a shooting test using the firearm in question.

If you fail the practical exam, you may take a retake exam by paying an exam fee equal to 50% of the exam price. Only one retake is permitted. If you fail the retake, you will receive a denial notice from the authority. Once that decision becomes final, you may resubmit your application and supporting documents to the authority to apply for a firearm permit.

Decision

Once a positive decision has been issued and you have received a permit for a firearm for collection purposes, you may purchase the firearm. After making the purchase, you are required to register the firearm with the WPA within 5 days of the date of purchase.

It is worth remembering, however, that a collector’s firearms permit has certain restrictions—so what does it entitle you to do, and can you use it to shoot? Firearms held for collection purposes may be used only at a shooting range.

Duration of the entire procedure

Obtaining a firearm permit for collecting purposes isn’t a particularly time-consuming process. You can join the association right away; it depends mainly on your willingness and the association’s board. Next, you’ll need to develop the necessary shooting skills, for example, at our shooting range near Gorzów. It’s also up to you to estimate how long it will take you to do this. It usually takes one to two months from the time you submit your application to the WPA until a decision is issued. However, due to the regulations governing collector’s firearms permits, the entire process can take several months.

The Actual Costs of Obtaining a Firearm Permit for Collecting Purposes

The cost of a collector’s firearm permit consists of several components. While some of these are fixed, others may depend on the specific shooting range, the price of the firearm, or the amount of medical fees. When preparing a cost estimate for this project, we must take into account all the costs we will incur, such as:

• Registration fee and membership dues—these vary by club,
• shooting training – depends on the club,
• ammunition – it's up to you,
• travel expenses to the association and for training sessions—it's up to you,
• application for a firearms permit – 242 zł,
• promesa – 17 zł each,
• cost of the exam at WPA – 1,150 PLN,
• medical examinations – from 350 to 600 PLN,
• safe – it's up to you,
• weapon – it's up to you,
• Equipment and accessories—it's up to you.

Summary

Another very important aspect is the ability to apply for both collector’s and sporting firearms on a single application. This will definitely streamline the entire process of obtaining permits. On the initial application, you can apply for up to 10 collector’s firearms and up to 5 sporting firearms, for a total of 15 firearms.

People collect stamps, coins, and cars, so why not try collecting firearms? Especially since the history of firearms is so rich and fascinating, which makes this hobby particularly worthy of recognition.

If you love firearms and dream of building a collection of pieces that will be a delight to the eye and bring you joy at the shooting range—or if you simply want to obtain a firearm permit quickly—we encourage you to apply for a permit for firearms intended for collection purposes.

Start by finding a shooting range in your area where you can test your skills. If you want to apply for a permit for a collector’s firearm in Gorzów or Racław, visit our indoor and outdoor shooting range in Racław.