Montenegro is reeling from the tragic aftermath of a devastating mass shooting incident, which left 12 dead and renewed calls for stricter gun control measures. The incident, involving gunman Aco Martinović, occurred on Wednesday night in Cetinje, marking the second such tragedy within three years for the small Balkan country.
The shooting began following a brawl at a public venue, prompting Martinović to return home and retrieve his illegal 9 mm firearm. Authorities found over 37 casings and additional ammunition, underscoring the serious issue of illegal firearm ownership. After the attack, which included victims from diverse backgrounds, Martinović took his own life. Montenegro’s Prime Minister, Milojko Spajić, described this incident as one of the most significant tragedies the nation has ever faced.
Raw emotion swept through Montenegro as citizens participated in candlelight vigils to honor the victims. Thousands lit candles and laid flowers, sharing tales of lost loved ones and expressing sorrow over the senseless violence. Amidst the grief, community leaders voiced their concerns about the repeated failures of the security system to protect its citizens. Vesna Pejović, who lost family members to the earlier mass shooting, criticized the government's negligence: "What kind of state is this where children are getting killed?" she lamented.
The Government responded swiftly to the outrage. During an emergency session of the National Security Council, officials announced concrete plans to address the high rates of illegal firearms. Prime Minister Spajić declared, "There will be no mercy for these people," referring to those who possess weapons unlawfully. He noted this tragedy had prompted urgent action to curb the excessive availability of guns within society.
Montenegro is known for its deeply embedded gun culture, which the PM acknowledged during the press conference. The country has approximately 245,000 firearms among its 620,000 residents, according to the Small Arms Survey. Spajić mentioned the introduction of new, stringent legislation aimed at confiscation and penalization of illegal firearm possession, and stated, "The law will be explicit, and even minimal sentences handed by judges will be drastic." Those in possession of illegal firearms have been granted amnesty to surrender them without legal repercussions for the next two months.
It’s estimated by the Independent Police Union of Montenegro, led by Đorđije Vukićević, there may exist over 100,000 additional illegal weapons within the country. He remarked, "Weapons owned by loyal citizens are not threats, but illegal weapons pose significant dangers to society." This viewpoint has ignited discussions about public safety and the need for stringent regulations surrounding gun ownership.
During his address, Spajić underscored the necessity for revisiting the criteria for obtaining firearms. "Who can have weapons must be our priority consideration," he asserted, foreseeing the reevaluation of existing permits and increased scrutiny on psychological evaluations for gun owners.
Public despair over the shooting led to protests outside the government headquarters, demonstrating both anger and demand for accountability from authorities. Protesters displayed flowers representing each victim and chanted for resignations of top security officials. Community sentiment included frustration at the perceived lack of action from the government following the previous shooting tragedy, which claimed ten lives and involved similar circumstances.
The calls for change extend beyond immediate legislative measures; many citizens are advocating for improved mental health support, reflecting on how underlying issues of violence must also be addressed if Montenegro is to overcome this crisis. One statement from human rights advocates pointedly asked, "What has changed in the security system in Cetinje since 2022?" reflecting on the need for systematic change.
National mourning has enveloped Montenegro as citizens grapple with the scale of tragedy. Activists, community leaders, and concerned citizens continue to meet and organize forums aimed at addressing these deep-seated issues, emphasizing the urgent necessity for action to protect lives and restore safety. The candlelight vigils serve as both remembrance and demand for meaningful reform to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring.