On 27 November, Polish vice‑marshal Zbigniew Zgorzelski warned against the disarming of portions of society, arguing that mandatory health checks for hunters must be paired with comprehensive training rather than mere legal enforcement.
Zgorzelski on “Disarmament of Society”
During an interview on RMF FM, Zgorzelski denounced the idea of disarming parts of the population in the context of a real‑time threat from the East, citing the fatal shooting of a 68‑year‑old hunter in Milejów on 11 November as a catalyst for the proposed mandatory health checks. He noted that similar ideas were discussed in 1938 and called for such measures to apply to everyone, not only hunters. Zgorzelski also stated that he would not vote against the project concerning tests for firearm owners so as to keep the discussion alive.
Training Trumps Testing
Zgorzelski emphasized that the core issue in hunting accidents is not the existence of health checks but the absence of adequate training. He aligned himself with findings from the Polish Hunting Association’s annual training report, arguing that real danger stems from a lack of instruction rather than from missing medical examinations.
PZŁ Announces Mandatory Annual Training
On 26 November, the Polish Hunting Association (PZŁ) announced the implementation of compulsory yearly safety training for hunters. The policy requires successful completion of the course to participate in any hunting season, with hunters facing allegations of hunting‑law violations subject to suspension. The disciplinary board of the hunting court will decide on such cases upon request of the disciplinary officer.
Public Support for Mandatory Tests
A December 2024 study commissioned by the Ministry of Climate and Environment found that 86 % of respondents favored the introduction of mandatory health checks for hunters.