Hundreds of protesters gathered in the capital Podgorica on January 3 to express their outrage over the government’s handling of a mass shooting that left 12 people dead and four seriously wounded. The gunman, Aco Martinovic, killed his sister before turning the gun on himself. Protesters condemned the police response, calling for the resignation of top officials, including Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic and Police Director Lazar Scepanovic.
The government has introduced tougher controls on licensed weapons owners, requiring them to pass medical and psychological tests to renew their licenses within a year. Registered gun owners will face license revocation and weapon seizure if they fail. Authorities have also announced a two-month gun amnesty, allowing illegal weapon holders to surrender their guns without fear of prosecution.
The protesters are demanding reforms to address concerns about the understaffed and under-resourced police force. The government plans to hire an additional 200 police officers to bolster the force. Protesters are also calling for greater accountability from top officials, citing slow reform and bureaucratic wrangling within the government.
Montenegro’s gun culture is rooted in its history, with many illegal weapons circulating among residents. The country has experienced two mass shootings in less than three years, with a gunman killing 10 people, including two children, in August 2022.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/montenegrin-protesters-slam-police-handling-mass-shooting-2025-01-03