Thousands of weapons surrendered after double shooting spree in Serbia
An unprecedented campaign of disarmament has taken place across Serbia, following last week's double shooting spree that sparked protests and calls for tighter controls on violent content in media outlets.
As part of an anti-gun crackdown following two mass shootings last week, Serbian citizens have handed over nearly 8,500 unregistered weapons in the first three days of a month-long amnesty period where no one will be charged for illegal gun possession, according to a statement by President Aleksandar Vučić.
"We collected 8,500 pieces of various weapons, 784 mine-explosive devices, that is, bombs and mortars. 398,450 pieces of ammunition of various calibres," Vučić said in an Instagram video.
Two mass shootings in Serbia last week killed 17 people and wounded 21, many of them children. For the first time ever in Serbia, a shooting took place in a school.
Authorities have told citizens to give up unregistered weapons by 8 June or face prison sentences. Other anti-gun measures include a ban on new gun licenses, stricter controls on gun owners and shooting ranges, and tougher punishments for the illegal possession of weapons.
The president also announced that around 156 psychologists and psychiatrists be assigned schools across the country to help them "overcome any problems they might face after the terrible massacre we experienced," said Vučić.
"We collected 8,500 pieces of various weapons, 784 mine-explosive devices, that is, bombs and mortars. 398,450 pieces of ammunition of various calibres," Vučić said in an Instagram video.
Two mass shootings in Serbia last week killed 17 people and wounded 21, many of them children. For the first time ever in Serbia, a shooting took place in a school.
Authorities have told citizens to give up unregistered weapons by 8 June or face prison sentences. Other anti-gun measures include a ban on new gun licenses, stricter controls on gun owners and shooting ranges, and tougher punishments for the illegal possession of weapons.
The president also announced that around 156 psychologists and psychiatrists be assigned schools across the country to help them "overcome any problems they might face after the terrible massacre we experienced," said Vučić.
