Polish Defensive Shooting Association
Building and developing the common defence system
The Polish Defensive Shooting Association was founded by people committed to improving the security of the country. Its main goal is to implement a National Common Defence System (KSOP) in Poland, drawing on the best solutions used in Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Singapore and elsewhere. Reaching the necessary level of deterrence requires the concentrated effort of the whole of society and of all state institutions and non-governmental organisations.
As the Polish Defensive Shooting Association (PZSO), we want to bring about an umbrella organisation of associations and NGOs active in different fields, whose knowledge and experience can be used to build the Polish model of common defence.
We plan to draw on the best models from Finland, Switzerland and Poland. The system we want to build will be open, so that it can keep evolving with changing conditions and the current state of knowledge. The Polish variant of common defence should incorporate the following proven elements already working in individual countries:
- Finland — a civilian association is responsible for training civilians; PZSO is to be a founding member responsible for firearms training. Other associations would run training in the remaining areas of common defence, such as rescue, communications, logistics and others. Today roughly 30% of Finns are ready to defend their country — reaching that level of readiness in Poland would mean around 6–7 million people.
- Switzerland — because the terrain makes it hard to move resources quickly and efficiently, the country relies on many local depots. For the security of stocks and fast access, depots of weapons and equipment must be dispersed.
- Poland — the Volunteer Fire Service, operating within the National Firefighting and Rescue System (KSRG), performs superbly. The effectiveness of the KSRG proves the point that volunteers can carry out tasks on a par with a professional force.
Within this organisation, the Polish Defensive Shooting Association would be responsible for training in the use of firearms, infantry equipment and tactics, promoting patriotic attitudes and building public engagement in the defence of the Republic of Poland.
We plan to bring about a new type of firearms licence — for pro-defence purposes. Training and examination rules need to be standardised. The Polish Defensive Shooting Association will prepare the course curriculum, draw up the examination rules and oversee the examinations to keep their standard high and consistent. Under these assumptions, passing the exam would entitle the holder to own firearms for pro-defence purposes.
Goals of the Polish Defensive Shooting Association
- Creating a unified system of shooting training focused on developing the defensive skills of firearms owners. PZSO, as the body maintaining the standard of training, working with local training centres, will be responsible for supervising and certifying future holders of the pro-defence licence and for training instructors and examiners to standardised requirements consistent with the National Common Defence System (KSOP). An exam passed at PZSO would form the basis for obtaining a firearms licence for pro-defence purposes.
- Engaging all valuable veterans, retired uniformed-services personnel and civilians. The knowledge and experience in defence accumulated over the years should be passed on to society to raise the overall level of security.
- PZSO instructors should support schools — standardised training should also be provided for teachers, who are to be responsible for introductory firearms instruction. The skills acquired by pupils should be developed in later years within a single system consistent with KSOP principles, continually improving the effectiveness of the Polish defence system.
- As a rule, PZSO should ultimately be a self-financing organisation, with central support for members in acquiring personal protective equipment, ammunition and firearms made by the Polish defence industry.