Poland makes firearms training mandatory for schoolchildren | Focus on Europe

[@paulsherick1979]

With Poland's history... They understand.. Kudos

[@aleserban9322]

USA want to POland fight with RUssia. But Slavs will never (except Ukraine ultranacionalist. regime now) fight each other.

[@sergeyb8]

@aleserban9322 oh boy... You really need to brush up on Eastern Europe history (especially Poland vs Moscowy)

[@alhambrabiker1476]

@aleserban9322what about Russian Wagner ultranationalist?

[@GlobalPenguin2012]

With Russia and Belarus as its neighbours, I think this is totally necessary

[@user-3y7vb6op9m]

Too late

[@leonardoorellano6652]

the main stream media conditioned you to think so or you have a non biased case that would suggest that ?

[@gardencity3558]

@@user-3y7vb6op9m Too late for what? Russia is a "paper tiger." LOL!

[@user-3y7vb6op9m]

@gardencity3558 Poland as well. And they don't have nuclear weapons. Donald Tusk refused to send Polish peacekeepers to Ukraine even after ceasefire, that shows what Poland is like

[@user-3y7vb6op9m]

@gardencity3558 you see, Pooteen is wasting now the worse part of his subjects, he pays money to them. Russia did not conduct mobilization. Their economy continues to grow, they are increasing the production of military products. Ukraine is on its last legs, we can fall now every moment. So I would not underestimate the threat

[@latviabalkanumuzika1514]

We have this in Latvia 🇱🇻 already for 5 years! Support to polish allay from 🇱🇻

[@aleserban9322]

USA want to POland fight with RUssia. But Slavs will never (except Ukraine ultranacionalist. regime now and scapegoats ¨from Latvia) fight each other.

[@xena2559]

Polish. Capital letter.

[@a_visualcue]

@xena2559 A to niby według jakich zasad gramatyki? Angielskich, czy polskich?

[@shuttze]

cheers friends :)

[@shuttze]

@@a_visualcue Czemu piszesz Angielskich z dużej a polskich z małej ? :)

[@JeffBilkins]

The laser gun salesman is going to be rich from this.

[@frankcalloway4640]

I’m so impressed by Poland.

[@GeoDaddï]

It’s better to have and not need it than to need it and not have it

[@hypothalapotamus5293]

Once it goes past a certain scale, like with Russia and the US, they try to find a need because they have it.

[@Soulessdeeds]

Ok I know people like to meme that Poland is little European Texas. But now I am starting to think Texas might just be little American Poland lol.

[@blackhawk69100]

Poland understands the reality of what's happening in Ukraine. They know they have to be prepared. It's safe to say they never want to be under Russian influence again. The rest of Europe should pay attention.

[@leonardoorellano6652]

there is no ethnic russian population in poland, what exactly is the hysteria ?

[@rocksmo3384]

@@leonardoorellano6652 That doesnt matter for Russia. Its about enlarging the Russian empire.

[@Deadbeat-k1l]

Bollox

[@flopoz2575]

@@leonardoorellano6652 The "hysteria" is that Poland was subjegated or occupied by Russia for most of the past 200 years. It only gained its independence 35 years ago, so majority of Poles living today still remember how it was to live under Russian yoke, it is not history to them. And guess what, there was no ethnic Russian population in Poland back then either.

[@aleserban9322]

Poland is under Brusel declining economy influence...

[@obelix703]

Learning gun responsibility is amazingly important. The USA could learn something from this, but they won’t. They just want the right without the responsibility.

[@Michalos86]

Why do I learn about it from German TV? LOL (I'm Polish)

[@WhalePolarizer]

It’s the purpose of the DW to reach people in other countries. There are a lot of people in Germany who don‘t know what the DW actually is. So, I would say mission accomplished :)

[@fintan9218]

@@WhalePolarizer this is the same as VOA for Americans. State sponsored “news” for everyone but their own population.

[@LeszekDeska]

Because it's not true - so you haven't heard about it (and I also haven't heard about it). This is not true simply... I have three children at schools and there was never shooting at school.

[@matheusbernardes2296]

If I got this right, it's just a few schools. The first bald guy said that it should be implemented in other schools @@LeszekDeska

[@Dendarang]

@@matheusbernardes2296 yeah, I think DW messed up the translation when they said "ministry ordered all schools" they meant in that single relatively small town not across all of Poland.

[@paulgroth3345]

An excellent idea for many many reasons. Improving coordination, self-discipline, group participation, competing against oneself and the ability to defend oneself one's family and one's country

[@UnMinutoViajando]

You are old enough to give up on this. Aren't you?

[@primal1233]

This is a good idea. Poland is on the constant threat from Russia and Belarus

[@katharina...]

The dubbing is abysmal, this is not what these children are saying at all!

[@WhalePolarizer]

Then, what are they saying? Could you explain which parts of the video you mean?

[@NokturNPolska]

@@WhalePolarizer Dont listen to her. I am Polish and translation is good...

[@kowalskastudio]

All of these translations are off

[@kowalskastudio]

Not really ​@@NokturNPolska

[@NokturNPolska]

@@kowalskastudio yes they are not perfect, but come on... It is not political speach in the united nation forum...

[@loveisall5520]

I did not learn how to shoot here in Texas until I was nearly sixty. For many years, visiting my favorite indoor range has been a major source of relaxation and pleasure. Like archery (which I also wish I knew) what the young lady says here about the joy of target shooting is real.

[@dekyne3227]

Your state sells the most guns using third party means to criminals

[@SonOfPhoenicia]

Defend Poland! Defend Europe!

[@USAads2023]

Poland doesn’t want 1940 again

[@HalfbakedStandard]

You mean 1.09.1939 and 17.09.1939 again and then subsiquent soviet occupation for years.

[@Andy_M.S.c]

@@HalfbakedStandard or the three partitions

[@paytonturner1421]

I expect something like this to be somewhere in the United States. A US state where gun laws were relaxed and they teach these type of thing.

[@tatianavorobiova8015]

you don't have a maniac next to your door

[@DemosBrutus]

USA have guns everywhere, they only need fear control therapy.

[@leonardoorellano6652]

@@tatianavorobiova8015 in the US we don't have maniacs ? or you are saying that Putin is a maniac ?

[@michaelstagar4254]

The issue is Americans simultaneously fetishize and don't treat weapons with respect. Early training that weapons exist to protect your friends, family, and neighbors, are a privlage reserved for the responsible, and must be treated with great respect would work wonders.

[@xneon1918]

@@leonardoorellano6652 Of course she means Putin.

[@karstux]

Without more knowledge on the lesson contents, I'd say - sadly - it's a good idea. So long as no militaristic procedures are drilled, like - I don't know, marching, saluting, mandatory nationalistic songs or oaths, and as long as the targets are abstract (not man-shaped, not associated with any particular country). Unfortunately, recent history has shown that a populace with some knowledge of armed conflict may be a good thing to have. I hope that for all of these kids it remains a sport.

[@voyd1507]

But they won't be unprepared

[@mariuszj3826]

Poland some decades back had basic self-defense classes called "przysposobienie obronne". They taught basic skills like first aid, how to use a gas mask, and in some cases students tried their skills at a shooting range. Naturally, safety was the priority. They were cancelled in 2012. It's not a new concept to us.

[@edwinjablonski]

Title of a video and description suggest that its a nation wide thing but it's not.

[@Soff1859]

Is it not? The laser gun guy and the whole video sure implies it is. Or at least going to be, even if maybe this year not every school has the infrastructure yet.

[@Mysticaldarks]

It's nation wide.

[@bored833]

Bravo Poland!!!

[@a_god8269]

100% good idea

[@multidimensional_holographer]

ethical hacking course should also be included

[@lainedx]

Thanks a lot for this, Putin.

[@kevfit4333]

Polands airsoft child army.

[@user-yg3vv3zp1l]

look up the '44 uprising or the Grey Ranks. We still exist because we will never hesitate to defend ourselves.

[@TheSilverSphincter69]

when i was a boy in school i took hunters safety classes..we need to bring this training back to American schools

[@JustAnotherNorthman]

Poland shows the way (again). My country could (and should!) definitely whatch and learn.

[@desert_rose7171]

every country should enforce national military service after high school graduation

[@Fatman311]

I burst out laughing at 'The aim is to prepare primary school children to defend Poland in the future'. It's an insane image. Let's hope it doesn't become real.

[@Soulessdeeds]

I don't think they actually mean for primary school children to defend Poland lol. I think the meaning was that starting in Primary School children learn the basics of firearms usage. And later on they learn real firearms training. But as anyone can see from the war in Ukraine. Russia gives no F's if your a child or a soldier.

[@Fatman311]

@@Soulessdeeds Oh I know, I was being faceticious. It is a bit disturbing though, as the idea of training kids in how to shoot is a step away from utilising child soldiers. The war in Ukraine may get worse, it may spread to Poland but children should not be anyones first consideration when it comes to 'how do we defend ourselves?', even as a joke. They're meant to be Polands future, not a reservist force.

[@foxtrotunit1269]

4:16 Cameraman chose his position wisely (to show us the targets from a shooter's POV) Absolutely stunning view of those 2 targets

[@JohnSmith-tl3hf]

They did this during the cold war. They act as if this is something new

[@icomefromcanadia2783]

The important thing is the culture surrounding guns, not whether ppl have, like, or know how to use them. There's a certain large country in the world infamous for its gun problems, but the problem is really the culture surrounding them, not the guns themselves. If guns are seen as a normal solution to a disagreement instead of an absolute last resort, that is when problems arise. If gun culture makes clear that they are strictly for hunting, sport, and only against humans as last resort for serious threats like war then it can be okay. As long as these kids understand that a gun is a weapon not just a tool or toy, Poland will be okay..I hope.

[@simonteesdale9752]

I'm not a fan of guns, and I agree with you absolutely. About the only other thing I'd add is the ease of access to firearms for those without emotional regulation skills. (Children, certain types of felonl

[@juan.torres75]

Good idea.

[@jimh5258]

Those are toy guns. Train them with real guns on the field so they can get use to recoil and noise.

[@sbreheny]

I think they're real guns which have had part of the mechanism replaced with a laser simulator. This is done even in some military training. I think it would be good for them to at least experience shooting live ammo once but I can certainly understand why they would not want to do the bulk of the training with it.

[@yayie2235]

Child soldiers?

[@kolokowalsky772]

Czech Republic, Germany traditionally have lots of weapons, and gun permits, and very low gun related crimes. Si vis pacem, para bellum (If you want peace, prepare for war).

[@kevfit4333]

Germany it is nearly impossible for the average person to get a firearm and if they do there is a mountain of regulations, spot checks and all sorts of other inconvenience. The EU makes the rules via EU firearms directives. They will pressurise Czechia too in time as the grace period for relatively new EU members expires.

[@kolokowalsky772]

@@kevfit4333 O know some gun owners in Germany having at home more than 200 firearms. 30 per one license.

[@kolokowalsky772]

@@kevfit4333 Also my friend, a female nurse she has 15 guns, and goes to shooting range every week, she is not professional at all.

[@sbreheny]

I would say that Austria is more like this than Germany. Czech Republic, Finland, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy (and I guess now Poland) are probably the most gun-friendly countries in Europe.

[@BrainTitusK]

Very American

[@mainStream-user]

Poland is not America

[@tjk3430]

We aren't mature enough for this in the US.

[@dhawthorne1634]

My high-school had a gun range. They discontinued the class about 20 years before I got there, but the range was still there, just being used as storage. Talking to my dad, who had gone through the same school, it was rated for .38 special but they just used .22lr. When I went through, they tried to start an archery team, but only 2 students were interested after finding out how regulated the sport was. Most of us wanted to use longbow or recurve and a handful who went bowhunting felt the regulation bows were too light, slow to react and poorly sighted.

[@longlivefreedom9853]

They wont do that in the UK because they dont want to make the kids too strong and independent because it might mean them losing political votes to a less Liberal party !

[@MeeesterBond17]

Cadet forces are a thing. I fired my first L98 years before I needed to shave.

[@fredrickvonschultz8901]

I wish we had that here in canada.

[@Ozworldz]

For god's sake, NO!!!

[@MissRed92837]

It may be reality soon, with the orange guy joking about making Canada the 51st state of the USA.

[@jayjaymcfly7475]

People are applauding that children have gun training? I live in a world of sickos

[@definitlynotbenlente7671]

Yeah this is horrible If they are 18 and want to join the militairy thats fine but forcing them to train os absolutely sickening

[@xena2559]

No, it's common sense. And you're deluded.

[@duanebry]

This is a bad solution to a bad problem

[@xena2559]

@jayjaymcfly7475 of course it's normal under a supervision. And yes, you are deluded. Got it?

[@vytasffbismarck7001]

​@jayjaymcfly7475 if you actually watched the video you would know that those are toy guns that shoot lazers. Worst that can happen is that they drop it on their toe and hurt it a little.

[@Xiaoxiao738]

The thing is, it's a bit pointless if they don't get them to shoot real guns. Yeah, you can learn how to reload and how to aim down sights with an airsoft rifle. But you can't learn the important things like recoil management, general maintenance, and malfunction clearing, which in a combat situation are the things that will actually save your life or the lives of your comrades.

[@whitewarrior7215]

Buddy, these are children, in Poland we have volunteer militia units that you can join, something like the army, only local and usually trainings are on the weekend, and during the rest of the week you work normally and live your life.

[@JohnSmith-cc3oo]

Thank God! Another country with common sense.

[@wolfsmaul-ger8318]

learning gun safety in a responsible environment actually helps fight gun violence. the gunstore owners interview also shows that compared to the US, gun violence isn't a accessibility problem. in the end people forget that practicing gun sports is no different from bow arts and can have a completely non violent side to them.

[@anthonyhulse1248]

Schools in England used to teach rifle shooting.

[@eddenoy321]

Some in the USA as well.

[@mordant221]

Now ya'll can't even carry a knife.

[@noduh736]

So many accidents happen because our extent of safety training for kids is don't touch it which makes them curious

[@MeeesterBond17]

America - "We won't be the frontline of NATO against Russia, America first!" Poland - "Fine - I'll do it myself."

[@xena2559]

No. Poland will not be used to fight for others in alien wars.

[@MuzammilKhan-vy2qc]

So, 80-year-olds are babbling, and teenagers will die for this...

[@fintan9218]

A tale as old as civilization itself

[@blackwatertv7018]

For pulling, it makes sense and it’s a necessary evil given their geopolitical situation.

[@williambeavers9046]

There is a reason why Americans call Poland European Texas. xD

[@CarterSimon777]

No they don't

[@dekyne3227]

Poland is way much better/safer and have respect for their lives and gun safety

[@created1991]

They are basically learning to shoot a toy gun... there is no recoil...

[@KoRbA2310]

This is a gun safety and basic operation training not actual shooting

[@maiasuga]

So if Poland does this, it's education but when Palestinians do it, it's terrorism. Double standards, action!

[@danielraymadden]

The world teaches war not peace....2 Timothy 3

[@DoodleDan]

Not "Poland" just some few select schools in Poland 🤦

[@женягуньков]

US education minister will break up in tears when he sees this

[@royreyes5480]

Based

[@paulcoverdale8312]

Now! If this isn’t a country taking its war footing seriously? I don’t know what is!!! Well done pols.

[@xena2559]

Poles!

[@headfirst6227]

This is totally awesome! I agree 100% with their efforts. Do you wanna stop school shootings? This is how you do it. Do you want your boys to man up on time? This is how you do it. Firearms training, energizes a desire for physical fitness too. When you show your children you respect them like this they work harder at everything.

[@DavidSchneiderIP]

What about conciencious objectors, civil rights?

[@jamesmurphy1480]

When I was a kid, we had archery training in elementary and junior high, but no firearms training. I wish they did. I got firearms training when I was in the 4-H club.

[@MidnightCoffee12]

I feel like the music was overly dramatic and unnecessary. It's a news segment, guys, not a movie. Also, it's just gym class. We had archery in gym class too, and those were with real arrows. This is just lasers. It's a skill, like any other. I think the adults are being more weird about the situation with their rhetoric than the children are.

[@tjk3430]

Coming from a very school shooty country (The US) this would probably not fly here. But Poland has their reasons being so close to Russ.

[@dimas128]

Russia did it long time ago but back then DW said that Ru children are not enjoying it and parents are in shock!

[@GwynBleys]

The whole eastern bloc did this since the 40s, Poland included

[@jamesmurphy1480]

Can you imagine the backlash that would happen in schools? If you tried that here in the United States military schools they teach firearms regular public schools they don’t which I think they should.

[@empire8188]

I hope they don't get too confident in about 50 years time because of this and make comparable mistakes Ukraine did. Playing with toys or even real gun is different from actual war. War is terrible and terrifying.

[@Patch_duress]

Based Poland

[@iiwi758]

What a ridiculous waste of resources and time. As if it would matter if a few high schoolers learn to shoot against bombs, drones, tanks, and trained soldiers. These kids spend an hour a day shooting, then head home to scroll TikTok and play Fortnite.

[@simonteesdale9752]

Honestly, it depends. Personally, the biggest benefits to my eyes are to ensure that they treat firearms with respect, rather than as the glamourised version they see in video games and on a lot of pro-gun media.

[@TMGeewizz]

In the US where those that shout the loudest, win, a firearm shouts even louder.

[@corbenoneill3092]

I dont know if i agree with this but i totally understand it , much love Poland

[@andymarkey88]

But it doesn't train kids in weapon stoppage drills

[@generico896]

That... is... so... COOL!!! I'm genuinely jealous of them

[@cstonemma]

I love Poland even more!

[@josfur1977]

this is a good initiative so everybody gets acquainted with firearms for future defence of their countries. should be implemented all over European countries

[@tCCZebra70]

I love Poland!

[@andrzej2501]

Ugh... the cringe... This kid putting his finger on the trigger when taking a gun.

[@definitlynotbenlente7671]

Kids should not be training for war If they are 18 and want to join the militairy thats fine but kids should never be forced to be fighters

[@VytautasLDK]

Do you remember when long time (week) ago everyone made fun of Russiatraining kids?

[@Andy_M.S.c]

The contrast is that russia is militarising for aggression, Poland is doing this out of defence because of russia.

[@mindyourbusiness4101]

​@@Andy_M.S.cNATO is a very "peaceful" organization. Governments in the east and west are full of criminals and warmongers. But the children of the people in power don't die in the front line.

[@whitewarrior7215]

@@mindyourbusiness4101 So far NATO has never attacked anyone :)

[@mindyourbusiness4101]

@whitewarrior7215 then you are not paying attention. You might dislike Putin all you want. But right now NATO is attacking Russia. Russia has not attacked NATO. Ukraine was called the most corrupt nation by the US State Department, but politicians are heavily involved in that country. Since the fall of the Soviet Union NATO has grown, even if it was supposed not to. They have not fulfilled their part ever. It is an offensive force.

[@user_thelongwayaround]

disturbing

[@SmoothSailing3bv]

Exactly Political reasons that media won't tell us or don't know .

[@xena2559]

Why? It did not disturb me.

[@IIDX]

Safety 101, Ethics 101, Airsoft 101, Handguns 101, Long-guns 101, Med 101…

[@CaraMarie13]

How did this happened in Poland before it happened in any of our States? Poland...wtf

[@Elefuntheelefant]

This decreases gun violence as students know it's just a tool no different than a motor vehicle

I think that gun violence has more to do with other societal factors than whether people know how to use them.

[@Chechepoof]

Good for Poland ! Don’t be a victim!

[@girlyvoice3210]

It could be sensible to A/B test this by assigning it to schools randomly. That way it might be possible to measure the benefits and drawbacks psychologically

[@Unknownsingh123]

More negatives than positives

[@simonteesdale9752]

Depends. Are they going to live in a place where guns are a fact of life? If so, it's better to educate people about them in a safe and controlled manner than to pretend they don't exist.

[@JAGzilla-ur3lh]

There are pros and cons to this, but with the limited context I have, it seems like the pros outweigh the cons. And you can't argue that it isn't a smart move for Poland to make. The simple fact of the matter is that they legitimately are at risk of being invaded in the near future. Familiarity with guns is something their citizens need to have. It's sad, but it's true.

[@rickyzhang]

Go Poland!

[@Martin-nz8ll]

Poles have to learned to shoot a rifle or a handguns. In Poland 🇵🇱🇵🇱🇵🇱 now it's easy for a person 18 yrs and older to purchae a gun like in the USA 🇺🇸. Now the Polish Royal White Eagle is the stronger of all.

[@chrislambaa7586]

What a crazy thing to do. If you want to prepare for war, do as finland and make conscription for the army mandatory. Dont do this to kids, only thrid world countries do this and odcourse americans, which is kinda the same 😂

[@user-3y7vb6op9m]

Conscripts army is ineffective. You can't force someone to fight against his will in 21st century. That's what is happening in my country now. Up to 200 000 deserters. And we had those military classes at school, in USSR it was common practice

[@NK-po6ki]

It becomes much easier to train conscripts when they already know how to handle weapons.

[@bm-cy7ek]

They are creating cannon fodder

[@NK-po6ki]

@@bm-cy7ek they're preparing their people to defend their freedom.

[@fedbia2003]

We need this in the US

The US has enough problems.

[@theodorabruin4601]

Great idea! Isn't it better to know and learn how to handle them properly? In US schools, they used to do that and some have courses and school clubs. Great stress reliever and maybe kids can release their frustrations in a controlled manner. Learn responsibility, too. Other countries have done the same. We should, also! The way the world is these days, it's best to be prepared.

[@Anna-ri8mp]

Visiting a range is nothing new in Poland, many schools organized such visits (although not on a regular basis) long time before the war in the Ukraine.

[@freeflowtrader]

I just did a guessing game looking at some of the children’s in the video:”have they died in the war?” I’m guessing the little boy 25% chance of dying in the war in the future. That little girl 0%-75% chance. I’m going to leave my words here and hopefully come back wrong in 10-20 years.

[@chatnoir1224]

This is how putin regime started aswell. And, of course, it talked about " learn to defend motherland".

[@ОльгаЮрс]

If you don't know, basic military training lessons were already in the schools of the USSR, when Putin himself was still in school) this was introduced after the Second World War, for the initial familiarization of high school students with weapons, gas masks, methods of survival in a critical situation and providing first aid to injured people in various situations.

[@chatnoir1224]

@ОльгаЮрс 1) ussr was a totalitarian state. Better not to take an example from it. 2) you need to distinguishe basic military training and basic civil protection.

[@Dudelsackpfeifer]

This isn't how the Putin regime started. It's way more complicated than that.

[@ulfpe]

I recall learning to run and take cover in school in Sweden around 1971.. Cold war

[@dekyne3227]

They need that over here in the US our kids can barley hit their targets they just run around and scream too much

[@dammitdan106]

GDP defense spending and civilian preparation levels mandatory in all members would generate both overwhelmingly effective NATO deterrence, and signal commitment of the same to its overstretched Transatlantic ally USA. Stop talking about deterrence, "poland" it.

[@vytasffbismarck7001]

Using a rifle isn't rocket science, this training would be over in a week or less when needed, not much deterrence if you ask me. Even with this training additional training with an actual gun would probably be required, so its mostly a waste of kids time.

[@JustARandomFio]

Of the series better safe than sorry, considering the sort of neighbors they have.

[@AC-he8ln]

Taiwan should do the same. They are already one of the top airsoft producers in the world, so would not be too hard to implement.

[@Risran]

I wonder what they could possibly be training children for ?

[@Crustymarine]

Perhaps, not to be victims of aggressive adults and nanny state bad actors.

[@kowalskastudio]

Oh, did we? Good to know.