After two separate incidents of mass shootings that rocked Serbia the previous week, President Aleksandar Vuic of Serbia announced many new measures, one of which was an amnesty for illegal firearms, which went into force on Monday.
After a 13-year-old boy carried out a shooting rampage in Belgrade, which resulted in the deaths of eight people, a 21-year-old man carried out a similar attack close to Mladenovaa a little more than a day later.
According to the new measures that were introduced by the president, individuals are permitted to turn in any firearms, ammunition, or explosive devices to the nearest police station, even without having to leave the comfort of their own homes.
People who are in possession of weapons that have not been registered can phone the local police station and ask for a patrol to collect their guns without having to provide any form of identification.
“It is important to emphasize that citizens who turn up their guns during this period, which lasts through June 8th, will not be subject to any criminal responsibility or consequence. According to a written statement released by the Ministry, “the origin of the weapons does not have to be proven, nor is any documentation required to be presented.”
Vui estimates 400,000 individuals own pistols or other non-hunting guns.
“Everyone’s license will be reviewed, and there will be no more than 40,000 left when the process is complete. “Those who keep guns will be subject to checks every six months, appointments with doctors and psychiatrists, and mandatory drug tests that they will be informed about only 48 hours before they take,” Vui added.
The Ministry of Justice in Serbia will be responsible for drafting the revisions to the present legislation that would strengthen penalties for illegal manufacturing, possession, carrying, or sale of weapons or explosive materials. Concurrently, the Ministries of Internal Affairs and Health in Serbia will be responsible for outlining a strategy for required inspections of gun owners.
Protesters in the meantime launched a demonstration called “Serbia against violence” in the downtown area of Belgrade. The protest’s organizers demanded that violent TV programs be banned and that the Serbian parliament have an immediate discussion on the current state of security in the nation.
Protesters demanded the resignation of both the Minister of Internal Affairs, Bratislav Gai, and the Chief of the Bureau of Internal Affairs, Aleksandar Vulin. Branko Ruic, who was serving as Minister of Education, has already tendered his resignation.
Protests were also conducted in other cities around Serbia, including Zrenjanin and Novi Sad.