Shock and fear may have been Serbs’ initial reaction to the two mass shootings earlier this month. But the anger soon followed.
Tens of thousands of people took part in two protests in the capital, Belgrade, and smaller rallies were held in other cities across the country.
They marched under the slogan “Serbia Against Violence” to end the culture of violence that led to a school shooting in Belgrade and the next day in the suburb of Mladenovic, south of the Serbian capital. requested.
More protests will follow, but the government appears to be reeling. Government officials downplayed the numbers and made plans for their own “united rally.” However, demonstrators and authorities seem to agree on the following points: arms control.
After the shootings, President Aleksandar Vucic immediately announced a “total disarmament” of the country. He has declared a one-month amnesty for illegally owned guns and warned of harsh consequences for those who carry guns without a permit.
The president also has an eye on legally owned guns. Vucic announced a moratorium on new gun licenses and a review of current gun licenses.
In a country that seems to have a worryingly high number of guns in circulation, this seems like a sheer feat. In 2018, the Swiss-based Small Arms Survey ranked Serbia third in the world for the number of privately owned guns, with 39 guns per 100 inhabitants.
