The performed inspections have indicated that the most claims applied to examination procedures and their documenting as well as to issuing of medical certifi cates in cases of people being licensed or already licensed to own a gun. Improper forms were used, in some cases obligatory specialist psychiatric examination and sight assessment were not carried out, and there were no remarks made of the ways and dates of possible appeals in case the opinion was negative. Issuing of a medical certifi cate not compliant with the regulations makes it invalid in the light of binding decree issued by Minister of Health of September 7th, 2000 on medical and psychological examination of people applying for or licensed to have a gun (Offi cial Journal. Nr 79, i. 898 with later changes).

As it is not uncommon that the guns are used illegally by people with psychiatric disorders, the obligatory psychiatric examination demanded by rules is certainly justifi ed. If a medical practitioner decides not to perform one, he may be punished by criminal and corporate courts.

If the medical certifi cate should be negative, it ought to be stated after thorough assessment of the patient’s health status, including the kind and dynamics of pathologic processes, as well as the grade of adaptation developed by the patient.

A negative medical certifi cate can not only make it impossible for the person to own and use a gun, but also to own a gun at all, including historic exemplars. It has already been the reason of several complaints.

It is not allowed for a medical practitioner to issue such a certifi cate for himself, and to make sure if the examined person had not received a negative opinion from another physician as in such cases the appeal is made by police.

Słowa kluczowe: appeal examination, badanie odwoławcze, lekarze, medical certificate, medical practitioners, orzeczenie lekarskie