Serbia’s government launched a nationwide gun collection campaign in an attempt to reduce the number of firearms and prevent mass shootings after two mass shootings left 17 people dead and 21 wounded. The government plans to order inspections of registered addresses to ensure gun owners have proper coded safes to store their weapons, and any guns not kept securely will be confiscated. The collection effort is an attempt to target illegal weapons and decrease the risk of gun violence in the country.
Citizens become aware of the risks of keeping guns at home
The collection campaign was launched after two mass shootings that left Serbia stunned and triggered calls for changes in the country. Tens of thousands of people rallied in two protest marches in Belgrade since the shootings, demanding resignations of government ministers and a ban on television stations that promote violent content and host war criminals and crime figures. Police officials said gun owners must have a coded safe in which to store their registered weapons and that any guns not kept properly would be confiscated. Officials plan to order inspections of registered addresses “to check whether there exist conditions for safekeeping.” Police official Bojana Otovic Pjanovic said on Serbian state TV network RTS that “if not, the guns will be taken away and punishment will be rigorous.”
Tens of thousands of illegal weapons have remained unlicensed
Experts believe tens of thousands of illegal weapons have remained unlicensed and out of reach of authorities, and this campaign is an attempt to target illegal weapons and decrease the risk of gun violence in the country. Police officials insist that citizens became aware of the risks of keeping guns at home after recent shootings. During some of the past collection efforts, people threw their weapons away in garbage containers or left them unattended instead of bringing them to police stations.
Opposition accuses authorities of fueling violence and hate speech
Opposition politicians have accused authorities of fueling violence and hate speech against critics, spreading propaganda on mainstream media and imposing autocratic rule in all institutions under President Aleksandar Vucic, which they say stokes divisions in society. Vucic rejected opposition calls for the resignation of Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic, who was present at Sunday’s weapons display, but suggested that the government might resign and that he will announce an early election at a rally he has planned for May 26 in Belgrade. Protesters in Belgrade blocked a key bridge and motorway in the capital to press their demands, and protests have also been held in other Serbian cities and towns.
Conclusion
Serbia’s nationwide gun collection campaign is a response to recent mass shootings and an attempt to decrease the risk of gun violence in the country. The campaign targets illegal weapons and requires gun owners to have a coded safe in which to store their registered weapons. The effort is an attempt to ensure public safety and prevent future mass shootings, which have triggered widespread protests and calls for changes in the country. However, opposition politicians accuse the authorities of fueling violence and hate speech against critics, spreading propaganda on mainstream media, and imposing autocratic rule in all institutions, which stokes divisions in society.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is Aleksandar Vucic?
Aleksandar Vucic is the President of Serbia, a position he has held since 2017. He was previously the Prime Minister of Serbia from 2014 to 2016 and the Minister of Information from 1998 to 2000. -
What happened during the mass shootings in Serbia?
Two mass shootings occurred in Serbia, leaving 17 people dead and 21 wounded. The incidents stunned the nation and triggered calls for changes, including a ban on television stations that promote violent content and host war criminals and crime figures. -
Who is Bojana Otovic Pjanovic?
Bojana Otovic Pjanovic is an anti-crime department officer in Serbia who stated that officials plan to order inspections of registered addresses to check whether gun owners have a coded safe to store their registered weapons. If guns are not kept properly, they will be confiscated and punishment will be rigorous. -
What are the demands of the protesters in Serbia?
Protesters in Serbia are demanding the resignations of government ministers and a ban on television stations that promote violent content and host war criminals and crime figures. They are also calling for changes to the country’s authorities, which they accuse of fueling violence and hate speech against critics, spreading propaganda on mainstream media, and imposing autocratic rule in all institutions.
