Gun incidents in Kosovo raise alarm, experts call for immediate measures against illegal weapons

During this week, several serious incidents have been recorded in different municipalities of Kosovo, leaving victims dead and others injured.

In Ferizaj, one person lost his life to a firearm after an altercation inside a home, while his partner is reported to be the suspect in the case.

Another firearm-related incident was also reported in Podujevë, where three suspected individuals and a passerby were injured. At the scene, police confiscated weapons and ammunition.

These cases have heightened concern over the security situation and the use of weapons in the country.

According to security experts, the majority of crimes involving firearms are linked to illegal weapons and to conflicts of various kinds, including personal, family, property-related, or those connected to organized crime.

They are also calling for increased police checks, a stronger fight against unlicensed weapons, and harsher punitive measures for illegal possession, assessing that only prevention and institutional coordination can help reduce violence in the country.

Dashevci: An urgent strategy against illegal weapons is needed

Security expert Arben Dashevci, in a statement to “Bota sot,” said that most crimes are committed with illegal weapons, while also listing some of the main causes.

“In recent years, our country has been shaken by many gun killings, which have caused concern among citizens. According to statistics, the killings were carried out mainly with illegal weapons.

The motives behind this phenomenon are different:

Base motives or interpersonal conflicts, debts, etc.

Domestic violence, alcohol, drugs.

Property disputes.

Conflicts between rival groups, organized crime.

Usury,” he said.

He called for tighter control over illegal weapons through more frequent patrols and checks by the Police.

Dashevci also presented several preventive measures, mentioning as an example the case of London’s amnesty.

“I think control over illegal weapons and their possession should be tightened through frequent and effective patrols and checks.

The concrete measures that the Police, prosecution bodies and the justice system should take to prevent such cases must be coordinated, with the aim of reducing the number of murder cases. In my opinion, a combination of preventive measures is needed:

Combating illegal weapons: even more frequent checks by the Police in every place where there are suspicions, effective investigations into networks trafficking illegal weapons, as well as continuous campaigns for the surrender of illegal weapons, such as the example of the amnesty (the London model).

Enforceable, swift and effective punishments, therefore tougher measures against persons who possess illegal weapons. The tightening of these punitive measures should serve as primary prevention,” he added.

He further underlined that no single measure can fully solve this problem, but it can help reduce the number of cases.

According to Dashevci, around 260,000 illegal weapons are in circulation, which in his view requires an immediate response from the state and society.

“No measure solves the problem in its entirety, but it can reduce the number of cases, which according to statistics stands at around 260,000 illegal weapons, something that is alarming and requires immediate action from all state institutions and civil society.

The Balkan region is known as a place with many illegal weapons as a consequence of wars, but we have consolidated institutions and we must in no way allow insecurity to dominate over security.

Therefore, cooperation, joint action and coordination among law enforcement bodies are needed to draft an urgent strategy to combat this dangerous and troubling phenomenon,” Dashevci told “Bota sot.”

Berisha calls for stricter controls over weapons

Security expert Fidair Berisha also told “Bota sot” that he is deeply concerned by the recent incidents, stressing that the loss of every life remains a deep wound for families and for society as a whole.

“Recently, the tragic gun incidents that have occurred in the country have deeply concerned me. I believe that every loss of life is a deep wound for families, the community and society as a whole. I think violence can never be a solution to conflicts or disagreements. For this reason, I believe control over weapons should be stricter and the law should be enforced meticulously,” he said.

He further stressed that possession of weapons should be limited only to people who strictly meet the legal criteria.

According to Berisha, punishments should also be fair and implemented without delay, so that they have a real effect in preventing such cases.

“It is certainly necessary that weapon possession be monitored carefully and only people who meet all legal criteria should have the right to carry them. Likewise, I believe that periodic inspections and continuous verifications would help prevent the misuse of weapons. I think the Police should intensify checks on the ground, strongly fight unlicensed weapons and respond quickly to any information signaling danger,” the expert stressed.

In the end, Berisha assessed that cooperation between the police, prosecution, courts and citizens is decisive in preventing such incidents.

“On the other hand, the justice system must act efficiently, treating as a priority all cases related to weapons and violence. I believe punishments should be fair and implemented without delays, so that they have a deterrent effect. I also believe that institutions should invest more in educating citizens, especially young people, about the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Cooperation between the police, prosecution, courts and citizens is essential to prevent such incidents. Only through law enforcement, institutional responsibility and joint commitment can we build a safer environment for everyone. This should be a permanent priority for institutions and for society as a whole,” Berisha added for “Bota sot.”