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Local News
05 January 2025

Montenegro Mourns Victims Of New Year's Day Mass Shooting

Community grapples with grief and demands action on gun control after latest tragedy

Montenegro is reeling after a tragic mass shooting on New Year's Day, which has left the community of Cetinje mourning the loss of 13 lives. A solemn commemorative service held on Saturday paid tribute to the 12 victims, where grieving families and community leaders gathered to process their collective sorrow.

During the emotionally charged ceremony, City Mayor Nikola Đurašković reflected on the deep pain felt by those affected, saying, "Each word we speak today seems weak, powerless to alleviate the suffering of those who lost their loved ones.” This sentiment encapsulates the overwhelming shock and disbelief overshadowing Montenegro as it confronts the tragic aftermath of this latest act of violence.

The assailant, identified as 45-year-old Aco Martinović, opened fire at patrons of a café following what appears to have been a trivial argument. Reports indicate he first targeted those inside the café before fleeing and firing at bystanders on the street before turning the gun on himself. The victims included seven men, three women, and two children, born in 2011 and 2016.

This horrifying incident has pulled the small Balkan nation, with its population of around 620,000, back to another moment of grief almost 18 months after another mass shooting occurred in the same city, where ten individuals lost their lives. After the initial shock wore off, public outrage began to bubble to the surface, focusing on the apparent failure of local authority and the need for stricter gun laws.

Montenegro’s Prime Minister, Milojko Spajić, stated during emergency meetings on Friday about plans for renewed gun control measures, emphasizing the need for stricter laws to curb the accessibility of illegal firearms. He noted, "The law will be explicit and even the minimum sentences imposed by judges will be drastic.” These new regulations will include more rigorous checks for registered gun owners and heightened penalties for anyone possessing firearms illegally.

The new measures were spurred on by Montenegro's troubling status of having one of the highest rates of gun ownership per capita, with studies indicating upwards of 40 percent of the population reportedly holds firearms. Spajić underscored the seriousness of the situation, promising citizens assistance in surrendering illegal weapons without facing punishment during the implementation of these new laws.

While these plans were laid out, many residents took to the streets, expressing their anger—directed not only at the shooter but at local authorities for perceived negligence. Hundreds gathered outside government buildings, demanding accountability from officials, chanting, “Where were you on January 1?” This pointed question reflects frustration with what many see as insufficient security measures prior to the attack.

The unique cultural attitudes toward firearms in Montenegro are complex. Many families pass down firearms through generations as symbols of virility and honor, perpetuating the notion of guns being synonymous with personal security and pride. This cultural lens, bolstered by the country's historical conflicts, adds layers of difficulty to any discussions around converging on solutions to reduce gun violence.

Public sentiment echoes remnants of the past, as the people of Cetinje, once thought to be havens from such atrocities, now face the unsettling reality of mass shootings becoming more normalized across the region. The recent shooting stands as another stark reminder of the gun violence epidemic creeping across the Balkans, with neighboring nations grappling with similar unrest.

The public’s demand for change is underscored by rising protests, influenced by recent events not just within Montenegro, but also broadly across the region. Citizens have united under collective anger as they call for stricter gun control and accountability. The phrase “your hands are stained with blood”—first surfaced during protests related to violence—has emerged as both a rallying cry and stark caution against complacency.

Following the earlier incidents of gun violence, including two high-profile shootings this past year, citizens are increasingly rallying for stronger governmental measures. Students and activists have organized demonstrations across the region, loosely united by shared grievances aimed at both local and wider Balkan leaders, as they call for both security and justice.

Engaging in meaningful dialogue around firearm ownership and public security feels more urgent than ever before. The hopes of changing long-established traditions and attitudes toward gun ownership are intertwined with the collective mourning of the victims of the New Year's Day shooting. With calls for action reverberate throughout Montenegro, the country now faces challenging discussions about its relationship with firearms and public safety.

Moving forward, it remains uncertain how effective these calls for reform will be, as communities balance their grief with newfound political momentum seeking accountability and change. The path toward more stringent firearm regulations will need the support of not just leaders but communities eager to redefine their cultural identity away from gun ownership and violence.