December 18th 2024.
In a small town in the north of Poland, children are learning a new subject in school: how to assemble and use weapons. This may seem like a drastic measure, but it has been made mandatory by the government in response to fears of a potential attack from their neighboring country, Russia. The children, aged 13 and above, are now attending lessons on how to handle weapons like assault rifles under the supervision of adults. However, instead of using live ammunition, they are trained with laser-based systems, ensuring safety at all times.
The decision to introduce firearms training in schools reflects the growing concern in Poland about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which shares a border of 329 miles with the country. Ewa Golinska, the principal of Nicolaus Copernicus primary school, believes that this training is essential in today's world. She says, "With the state of the world today, I think this type of training is very valuable." The German public broadcaster, DW, interviewed some of the students who are now learning how to shoot alongside their regular subjects like math and history. One student, Emalia Labudzka, expressed her satisfaction at being able to hit the target, while another, Alan Jaron, simply says, "Shooting is fun. Holding a gun in your hands and shooting feels really cool." Marta Stolinska also supports the initiative, saying, "I think it's a good idea. Life is scary these days, so you have to be prepared for anything."
The lessons take place in the school gym, using weapons with laser-based systems. This has brought some reassurance to parents who were initially worried about the safety of their children. While some schools had already been offering optional firearms lessons, it was made compulsory only three months ago. However, most parents are happy for their children to learn how to use and assemble firearms, seeing it as a necessary skill in today's world. Monika Stolinska, a mother, expresses her pride, saying, "We are very proud that our children want to be on the right side of history, to defend our country and to be patriotic." Another mother, Alina Labudzka, believes that her 14-year-old daughter is capable of making her own decisions about her future and supports her in this endeavor.
It is worth noting that Poland is already a fairly gun-friendly country, with its citizens being allowed to own modern firearms under police-issued permits for various purposes such as hunting, sport shooting, training, and collecting. Self-defense permits are also available, but they are awarded at the discretion of the police force. According to arms dealer Krzysztof Gasior, who is based in Gdansk, Poland's firearm laws are among the most liberal in Europe. He even compares the process of obtaining a gun license to that of a driving license, saying that it is easier to get a gun license in some ways.
In conclusion, while the introduction of firearms training in schools may seem like a drastic measure, it is a reflection of the current state of the world and the concerns of the Polish government. The safety and well-being of the children are of utmost importance, which is why the training is conducted using laser-based systems instead of live ammunition. And with the majority of parents supporting this decision and viewing it as a necessary skill in today's world, it is clear that the initiative has been well-received.
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