Your path to a firearms permit with KSK Kostrzyn

Time: membership registration formalities

Your first step is to join Klub Sportowo-Kolekcjonerski Kostrzyn and submit a membership declaration.

KSK Kostrzyn holds a club licence issued by the Polish Shooting Sport Federation (PZSS), enabling eligible members to apply for a shooting patent and competitor licence.

Membership costs:

• One-time joining fee: 300 PLN
• Subscription when joining from January to June: 550 PLN
• Subscription when joining from July to December: 275 PLN

In subsequent years, the standard annual subscription is 550 PLN, subject to any concessions available under Club rules.

Time: individual; usually several weeks

Once you have joined, you can begin theoretical and practical preparation for the shooting patent examination.

You will learn the safe handling, construction and operation of firearms and the fundamentals of accurate pistol, rifle and shotgun shooting.

Preparation includes the initial training required by PZSS, ending with a mock examination.

The amount of additional instruction depends on your abilities, previous experience and progress. Beginners may need more sessions with an instructor.

Training costs:

• Shooting instructor: 100 PLN per hour.
• Range use: 20–50 PLN per hour, depending on the training venue.
• Ammunition: charged according to type and actual consumption.

One hour of individual instruction costs approximately 120–150 PLN plus the ammunition used.

The final cost of preparation depends on the number of lessons and the quantity of ammunition used.

Earliest: after one month of membership registered in the PZSS system

The shooting patent confirms the qualifications required to participate in shooting sports.

Under PZSS rules, you may take the examination after at least one month has elapsed since your membership was registered in the PZSS system, provided you meet the other requirements, including completing the initial course and passing a mock examination.

The examination has two parts:

• Theory: including firearms law, safety rules and basic firearms knowledge.
• Practice: testing safe firearms handling and shooting in the selected disciplines: pistol, rifle and shotgun.

Examination registration is handled through the PZSS Portal. Available dates depend on the examinations scheduled in your region.

Costs:

• Shooting patent examination: 400 PLN
• Medical examination required for the patent: approximately 150 PLN

Total: approximately 550 PLN

After passing, you must wait for PZSS to issue the patent.

Time: usually a few days to 30 days after the relevant regional association approves the application

After obtaining the patent, apply for a competitor licence from the Polish Shooting Sport Federation.

The licence confirms eligibility to participate in shooting competitions and is one of the documents required when applying for a firearms permit for sporting purposes.

Licence fee: 50 PLN

The competitor licence must be renewed each year. Renewal requires compliance with PZSS rules, including competition participation requirements.

Time: often one day, depending on appointment availability

Once you have the necessary sporting qualifications, obtain the medical and psychological assessments required for a firearms permit.

These are carried out by authorised specialists to determine whether any contraindications to firearm ownership exist.

Estimated cost for both assessments: 750–1,000 PLN

Medical and psychological certificates should be issued no earlier than three months before the firearms permit application is submitted.

Document preparation: usually 1–3 days

Once you have assembled your documents, apply to the competent Police Administrative Proceedings Department (WPA).

You may apply for two types of permit.

Firearms permit for sporting purposes

The grounds for applying include membership in a shooting association, a shooting patent and a valid PZSS competitor licence.

A sporting permit authorises the possession and use of firearms within the scope of the administrative decision and applicable law.

Firearms permit for collecting purposes

The basis for a collecting permit is documented membership in an association devoted to firearms collecting.

Appropriate sporting qualifications may exempt an applicant from the Police examination for sporting firearms. Applying for a wider category of firearms may involve additional examination requirements.

You can submit applications for both permits at the same time if you meet the relevant conditions.

Administrative stamp duties:

• Sporting firearms permit: 242 PLN
• Collecting firearms permit: 242 PLN

Total: 484 PLN

Optional: authorisation to possess firearms

You may also apply for an authorisation to possess firearms.

Subject to the applicable requirements, it permits the use of firearms belonging to entities holding a firearms certificate, within the scope stated in the decision.

Stamp duty for this authorisation: 10 PLN

Time: approximately 1–2 months, sometimes longer

After the application and required documents are submitted, the Police conduct administrative proceedings.

They review the documents, statutory conditions and circumstances relevant to issuing the permit. Additional verification measures may be carried out.

If the proceedings end positively, you receive an administrative decision specifying the type and number of firearms covered by the permit.

After a positive decision, you can apply for certificates authorising the purchase of firearms, commonly called promesy in Poland.

The fee for one certificate is 17 PLN.

Before purchasing and storing your own firearms, you must provide storage conditions compliant with the law, including an appropriate secure storage device.

You can then acquire and register firearms in accordance with your permit and applicable regulations.