Number of Firearms in Poland: The Civilian Arsenal Has Already Exceeded One Million Units

At the end of 2025, Polish police records listed 1,037,778 registered firearms held on the basis of issued permits. By comparison, a decade earlier there were only 390,820. This represents an increase of 165.5% – over ten years, the number of registered firearms increased by more than two and a half times.

Apparently, nothing increases interest in firearms as effectively as a war taking place just beyond the country’s border. Since the beginning of hybrid activities in Ukraine in 2014, the number of registered firearms in Poland has increased steadily year after year. The strongest growth came in 2022, with the beginning of the full-scale invasion – in just twelve months, Poland’s civilian arsenal grew by 15.5%.

According to data from the National Police Headquarters, at the end of 2025 the number of firearms permits was 411,769. In very simplified terms, statistically there were approximately 2.5 firearms per permit. Among issued permits, the most common were hunting permits (34.4% of all permits), firearms collecting permits (27.8%) and sport shooting permits (24.7%).

Considering that sport shooting and firearms collecting permits are often obtained together, are relatively easy to obtain, and the regulations concerning the transportation of firearms are relatively liberal in these cases, together they represent the most popular group (52.5%).

For those interested in obtaining the necessary qualifications, the costs of obtaining permits for both sport shooting and firearms collecting are presented below:

Foreign nationals with permanent residence in Poland may also apply for a Polish firearms permit, provided they meet the statutory requirements, including having no disqualifying criminal convictions.

In subsequent years, the only costs associated with maintaining the qualifications are club membership, licence renewal and participation in competitions in the case of firearms permits issued for sporting purposes.

The relatively low barrier to entering the world of shooting means that not only the number of firearms and permits is increasing. An entire market is developing around shooting, including gun stores, clubs, shooting ranges, gun safe manufacturers and gunsmithing services. The potential is enormous.

Such a large difference does not, of course, mean that Poland will follow exactly the same path, as the current situation is influenced by numerous factors that we may discuss in the future. From a business perspective, however, it shows that the domestic market still has considerable room for growth – not only in firearm sales themselves, but also in ammunition, accessories, specialist training etc.

How Much Does a Firearm Cost in Poland?

Determining a single “average firearm price” would be misleading and unfair. The market includes both basic firearms costing approximately PLN 1,000-2,000, as well as competition pistols and precision rifles priced at several or even tens of thousands of zlotys. Premium models, precision firearms and advanced setups equipped with optics can cost considerably more.

How Much Could the Firearms Already in Private Circulation Be Worth?

There is currently no single official statistic showing the value of Poland’s civilian firearms market. However, it is possible to estimate the replacement value of the firearms already in circulation.

With 1,037,778 registered firearms:

• assuming an average value of PLN 4,000, the result is approximately PLN 4.15 billion;
• at PLN 5,000 per firearm – approximately PLN 5.19 billion;
• at PLN 6,000 per firearm – approximately PLN 6.23 billion.

These are purely illustrative calculation scenarios. We do not know the exact structure of registered firearms by type, age, technical condition or current market value. Therefore, we cannot precisely confirm their total value.

What we can confirm, however, is that the replacement value of more than one million registered firearms amounts to billions of zlotys. It is also clear that the economic significance of the industry extends far beyond the value of the firearms recorded in official registers. Purchasing a firearm may trigger an entire chain of additional expenses, including:

• ammunition;
• mandatory storage devices of at least S1 security class;
• cases and transportation bags;
• magazines;
• holsters and belts;
• optics and red dot sights;
• hearing and eye protection gear;
• cleaning, spare parts and servicing;
• shooting ranges entrance fees;
• training and participation in competitions;
• other accessories.

Unlike the purchase of the firearm itself, some of these expenses are recurring. In particular, ammunition, training and the use of shooting ranges generate recurring revenues for businesses operating within the industry.

Poland’s civilian firearms market is not only about a growing number of firearms. It is also about a growing group of active users creating an increasingly significant market for services, ammunition, training, infrastructure and accessories.

The Polish Market Is Entering Its Next Stage

Data from the past decade show a structural change. Civilian firearms are no longer associated almost exclusively with hunting and a narrow group of professionals. Sport shooting, collecting, recreation and interest in defensive preparedness are playing an increasingly important role.

The full-scale conflict in Ukraine, right across Poland’s eastern border, was a visible turning point, but it does not explain the entire process. This growth has been driven primarily by the development of shooting clubs and ranges, as well as by communities that guide new enthusiasts through requirements and administrative procedures.

One such community is SAGITTARIUS Shooting Club, located just around an hour from Warsaw via the S8 expressway. In terms of membership, the club ranks fifth among shooting clubs in Poland, with approximately 8,500 members. It is run by wonderful people who, with enormous passion and commitment, comprehensively guide those interested in shooting through every stage of administrative procedure associated with obtaining the necessary qualifications, purchasing a firearm and a gun safe, or participating in competitions regularly organised by the club.

From an economic perspective, readers may also be interested to know that SAGITTARIUS Shooting Club operates a very well-equipped gun store offering very competitive prices. The club presidents’ motto – “Found it cheaper somewhere else? We’ll sell it to you even cheaper” – is probably familiar to every club member.

It is also worth emphasising that sport shooting is a great way to spend your free time and meet new, interesting people. Regular weekend shooting competitions are not only about scores on the range, but also about interesting conversations over a barbecue and a fantastic atmosphere.

This is one of the topics we want to cover in the LIFESTYLE category. There are still many interesting stories, trends and phenomena ahead of us that are worth taking a closer look at.

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