Poland Firearms and Accessories: Shooting Industry Market Growth
Data from the National Police Headquarters (KGP) and expert commentary suggest that this trend is driven not only by security concerns related to the war in Ukraine, but also by changing regulations and the growing popularity of shooting as a lifestyle activity.
According to KGP statistics, 2024 marked yet another record year for firearms permits. Polish police issued 45,800 new permits, the highest number since the fall of communism. For comparison, in 2020 authorities issued just over 15,000 permits. The scale and speed of this increase underline a structural shift in civilian access to firearms.
As permit numbers have risen, so too has the total number of legally owned firearms. By the end of 2024, nearly one million firearms - approximately 930,100 units - were registered in civilian hands in Poland. This marks a significant increase from 843,800 firearms in 2023.
The structure of firearms permits further illustrates changing trends within the shooting industry. In 2023, most permits were issued for collector purposes (17,019) and sports shooting (12,363), confirming the rising popularity of shooting as a sport and hobby. At the same time, permits for personal protection and the protection of people or property saw an exceptional increase. The number of permits for personal protection rose from just 154 in 2022 to reach approximately 9,500 in 2024.
Experts point out two key factors behind this surge. The first is the impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which significantly increased perceived security risks in the region. The second is legislative reform. In 2023, Poland introduced amendments aimed at eliminating “unnecessary administrative and legal barriers,” particularly for members of uniformed services. These changes simplified access to firearms for police officers, soldiers, intelligence personnel, border guards, prison officers, and other armed state formations, contributing to a sharp rise in applications.
Export Opportunities in Hunting, Sport, and Personal Protection Firearms
Trade analysts note that the Polish market offers significant export potential for firearms that are in growing demand, such as:
- Small arms (pistols and revolvers) for sport shooting and self-defense
- Hunting rifles and shotguns
- Ammunition for both sport and hunting applications
- Accessories and equipment for shooting ranges and training facilities
These segments continue to expand alongside rising permit numbers and a growing community of shooters.
Poland’s shooting and hunting market is heavily dominated by imported products because local civilian production capacity is relatively limited. Hunting and sporting rifles are often custom-built by gunsmiths and considered luxury items, while mainstream small arms, handguns, and ammunition are predominantly sourced from abroad. This creates space for U.S. manufacturers and distributors to introduce competitively positioned products to Polish shooting clubs, civilian owners, and sport shooters.
For more information, please contact Commercial Service Poland at office.warsaw@trade.gov.