Montenegro's National Security Council Addresses Gun Control After Tragic Shooting Incident

A high-level meeting in Montenegro on Friday sought solutions to curb illegal weapons following a tragic shooting incident. A gunman killed 12 people, marking the second such tragedy in less than three years in the Balkan nation. The National Security Council plans to propose new gun laws and urgent measures to confiscate illegal firearms among Montenegro's 620,000 citizens.

The Adriatic nation has a strong gun culture, with state broadcaster RTCG noting it ranks sixth globally for illegal weapons per capita. The recent shooting occurred in Cetinje, where the gunman used an illegal 9 mm firearm. Police discovered 37 casings at the scene and over 80 additional rounds with the shooter.

Montenegro's Gun Culture and Recent Tragedy

The shooter, Aco Martinovic, aged 45, took his own life after the rampage. He reportedly snapped following a bar altercation, retrieved his weapon, and attacked multiple locations on Wednesday afternoon. His victims included seven men, three women—one being his sister—and two children born in 2011 and 2016. Four others were seriously injured and remain hospitalised.

Police Commissioner Lazar Šcepanovic described the event as "one of the biggest tragedies in the history of Montenegro." This incident has heightened concerns about violence levels in Montenegro's politically divided society and questioned state institutions' readiness to address issues like gun ownership.

Public Outcry and Calls for Accountability

On Thursday evening, hundreds across Montenegro lit candles silently to honour the victims and demanded answers for the tragedy. Many expressed anger at authorities for not preventing such incidents. On Friday, around 200 people protested outside government offices in Podgorica, demanding top security officials resign while chanting "murderers."

Mira Skoric, a retiree from Podgorica, voiced her disbelief: "I can't believe that we failed so much as a society. We failed as people too." This sentiment reflects widespread frustration over perceived governmental failures.

Historical Context and Security Concerns

In August 2022, another massacre occurred in Cetinje when an attacker killed ten people, including two children, before being shot by a passerby. Cetinje is Montenegro's historic capital, located about 30 kilometres northwest of Podgorica. The shootings have prompted calls for a thorough review of security system responsibilities and preparedness.

The Human Rights Action and Women's Rights Centre groups stated: "What has changed in the security system in Cetinje since 2022?" They demand accountability and improvements in security measures.

Challenges Facing Law Enforcement

Police stated that Martinovic's actions were unplanned and unpredictable despite his past convictions for violent behaviour and illegal weapon possession. He had also received psychiatric treatment previously. Vesna Pejovic, who lost her daughter and grandchildren in the 2022 shooting, criticised police efforts: "What kind of state and system is this where children are getting killed? Are we at war?" she questioned.

The recent events underscore the urgent need for effective measures to address illegal weapons and improve public safety in Montenegro.