The dynamically developing market of personal protection accessories is an excellent indicator of how a citizen of European countries feels threatened. Until recently, the second after the pepper spray, one of the best-selling defense tools were alarm revolvers with the possibility of firing a 10 mm caliber rubber ball. These include the title revolvers Zoraki K-10 and major Eagle. Where does this popularity come from?
It was assumed that the dummy firearm is the most effective item in a self-defense situation. For this reason, an ever more faithful replica of a firearm is created, whose mode of operation is far from standard. When deciding to buy a product for self-defense, in many cases at the expense of effectiveness, customers reach for effective-looking replicas. Awareness of having something that is deceptively reminiscent of a firearm can increase the victim's morale, but it certainly won't help defend against an attacker. And here on the horizon appears the "perfect combination" in the form of kinetic alarm revolvers. Well-known manufacturers of alarm weapons decided to use the energy resulting from the launch of the bang hood to throw a rubber ball from the barrel. An initial speed of 170 m/s over a distance of about 10 m may give the attacker a strong bruise. In addition, a bang, heavy metal revolver and everything without additional permits. As it turns out, not quite ...
In Acts of May 21, 1999, On Weapons and Ammunition, we find a deginition stating that firearms are any portable barrel weapon that fires, is intended to be fired or can be adapted to fire one or more missiles or substances as a result of action gases resulting from the combustion of "propellant materials". Whenever the act refers to firearms, regardless of their type, the key concept is "propellant materials". In the case of alarm weapons, blank cartridges are used for the acoustic effect. By definition it is a copper 'primers' with "initiating material" (not propellant materials), in various varieties it is also used in black powder weapons as a fuel ignition initiator. On this basis, Zoraki K-10 and Major Eagle revolvers were introduced to the market as an alarm and kinetic weapon available without permission. Yes.. well, here is the "wonderful" thought of a Polish businessman.
With the growing popularity of such a solution, police interest increased proportionately. Security services have repeatedly questioned the validity of qualified emergency kinetic weapons as weapons other than firearms in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Weapons and Ammunition. As a result, tests were carried out at the Central Forensic Laboratory of the Police which clearly indicated that the "initiating material" found in blan cartridges burns much faster than gunpowder. Ignition of the initiating material causes a rapid combustion process and subsequent rapid pressure buildup. The conclusion is that the 'initiating material' contained in the bland cartridges cannot be excluded as a 'propellant' within the meaning of the Law 'on Weapons and Ammunition', because the thermodynamic system is sufficient to launch a projectile from the barrel over a distance of more than 2 m. Therefore Zoraki revolvers and Major Eagle should be treated as a firearm, available with appropriate permission.
Polish distributors have been trying to resolve conflicting interpretations since 2012, using opinions issued, among others by the Polish Criminal Society. Experts from these institutions say that the Zoraki K-10 revolver is an alarm weapon with a caliber of up to 6 mm, the possession of which does not require permission. They also indicate in their opinion that the weapon has the EKP mark <17J.
Pursuant to theLaw on Wapons and Ammunition Act, art. 3 point 1, the limitation of kinetic force applies only to pneumatic weapons, and the definition of an alarm weapon in the Act clearly contradicts the thesis that a revolver that allows a shot to be fired can be classified as an alarm weapon. It is worth noting that the lack of a partition in the barrel of revolvers Zoraki K10 and Major Eagle allows you to easily carry out the modification, which allows firing of integrated cartridges with .22LR side ignition, which in Poland is a crime for the illegal production of firearms.
Provisions stipulating that black powder weapons from a separate load, manufactured before 1885, are available to any adult without additional consent, strike in the context of the confusion regarding access to much weaker emergency kinetic weapons. This does not change the fact that as of today the police position regarding the Zoraki K-10 revolver and Major Orzel is clear and provides that a person possessing any of these models in the event of an inspection will be charged with illegal possession of firearms.
The disappearance of the market for alarm-kinetic revolvers does not exclude the possibility of buying weapons for bullets, such as rubber, without permission and in accordance with the law. The Walther RAM SG-68 shotgun or PepperBall TMP pistol are equally effective, and also allow you to shoot gas bullets. In our opinion, the most effective self-defense tool is a reliable pepper spray weapon, which does not require direct contact. Weakening the attacker for a short time gives us the opportunity to escape.
Remember! Pulling out any gun-like tool can ultimately lead to tragedy. If you are not the rightful owner of a real firearm, limit self-defense tools to pepper spray or electric stun guns equipped with pepper spray. Your confrontation with the "toy gun" and a determined striker equipped with much more serious tools puts you in a loser position. If you want to fight, take care of the right resources beforehand, in other words read the article "Permission for weapons - step by step" and apply it in your daily life.
