Poland’s government is facing calls to review firearm controls after a gunman killed six people in Krakow’s Main Market Square on Saturday. The attack, which injured at least 15 people, has intensified scrutiny of the country’s licensing system. Authorities say the 24-year-old attacker legally possessed firearms and had links to a shooting club. He died in hospital on Monday. Police figures show more than 1 million registered firearms at the end of 2025, compared with about 588,000 in 2020. The Supreme Audit Office warned this year that holders of sporting and collecting permits are not required to undergo periodic medical and psychological checks. Deputy Defense Minister Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka said this was not the moment to expand access to guns, while President Karol Nawrocki had called for a debate on access to firearms in September. Several Polish cities increased their security measures after the attack, including additional patrols around crowded public areas.
