SLD mulls easier handgun access
Packing heat: A new proposal could lead to more handguns
The Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) has unveiled plans to liberalize the law on handgun ownership if the party is voted into power later this year.
SLD politicians said last week that its proposed new amendments to the firearms law will help free up current restrictions on owning handguns and will help stem the country's rising crime rate.
The present law requires that anyone buying a gun has to prove his life is in danger. This is then checked by the police. If the new legislation is passed, anyone will be able to buy a weapon provided they pass a doctor's exam and a basic test in weaponry.
SLD deputy Zbigniew Sobotka, who proposed changes to the law, said anyone who feels vulnerable to crime should be able to automatically obtain a permit.
"Our intention is to limit the number of attacks on people as statistics show crime in Poland is increasing," said SLD deputy Danuta Waniek. Last year the number of reported crimes grew by 13% to 1.3 million, according to police statistics.
Critics of the proposed legislation said the introduction of handguns would only create more problems.
"In Poland there is no tradition of possessing weapons," said Edward Wende, a Freedom Union (UW) deputy. "In all countries in the West, there is now a trend to limit access to weapons. And here the SLD proposes greater access. It's not only a senseless idea, but also a dangerous one."
