PODGORICA, Montenegro — Montenegro’s government is set to introduce stringent gun control measures in the wake of a devastating mass shooting that claimed the lives of 12 individuals, including two children, in the historic city of Cetinje. This tragic event occurred on New Year’s Day, prompting a swift governmental response aimed at revising the national firearms policy.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajic unveiled the proposed Law on Weapons just two days after the massacre, following a marathon seven-hour meeting of the National Security Council. Key features of the new legislation include a mandatory re-verification of all existing gun licenses and tough penalties for those possessing illegal firearms who do not surrender them within a designated two-month grace period.
In addition to these measures, the government plans to scrutinize hunting clubs and establish an anonymous hotline. This hotline will encourage citizens to report illicit firearms possession, offering rewards for valuable information that could help curb the widespread availability of unauthorized weapons.
The suspect in the shooting, identified as Aco Martinovic, succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound while being transported to the hospital after a police pursuit. Martinovic had a history of illegal arms possession, for which he was previously sentenced to three months in prison in late 2024—a sentence he had challenged through an appeal.
Montenegro is known for its high rate of gun ownership, one of the largest in Europe. According to the Small Arms Survey, a project based in Switzerland, there are approximately 245,000 firearms among the Montenegrin population of just over 620,000. Police records also indicate a significant number of these weapons are held illegally, compounding challenges for law enforcement in a nation grappling with organized crime and sporadic violence.
During the incident in Cetinje, a city with about 15,000 residents, only a dozen officers were initially on duty. The sparse local force was soon bolstered by an additional 150 officers summoned from the capital, Podgorica, and other locations to participate in the manhunt.
The prime minister addressed the incident, describing the swift escalation of violence as a “tsunami of violence,” with all killings taking place within a tight 20-minute window across five locations. He also highlighted recent shortages in police staffing, revealing plans to accelerate the recruitment of 200 additional officers to strengthen the force.
The government’s response and the effectiveness of law enforcement were sharply criticized, both within official ranks and by the public. Hundreds took to the streets in protest outside the government building, following the tragedy, calling for a shake-up in the leadership of the security forces. During this tense period, the country observed three days of mourning starting January 2.
Despite the backlash, Spajic supported the police, opting against leadership changes amidst the crisis. He also defended Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic, who faced criticism for premature statements about returning to “normal life” shortly after the tragedy, asserting that the police’s efforts during the crisis were commendable.
Local human rights organizations, including the Action for Human Rights and the Center for Women’s Rights, have demanded a comprehensive review of the police’s handling of the situation. They highlighted the minimal police presence during the incident and referenced a similar tragedy in August 2022, questioning the absence of substantial security improvements since then.
This proposed overhaul of Montenegro’s gun laws represents a critical step toward addressing the recurring issue of gun violence, aiming to fortify public safety in a nation that has seen its share of armed tragedies.