Montenegro’s Prime Minister, Milojko Spajić, announced the government’s consideration of a comprehensive ban on weapon possession following a tragic shooting incident in Cetinje on January 1, 2025. This decision emerges in the wake of a massacre that claimed 12 lives, including those of two children, aged five and nine. The shooter, identified as Aco Martinović, employed an illegal firearm during the attack before taking his own life when confronted by police officers. Four other individuals were critically injured and are currently receiving medical treatment.
The incident, which has spurred debates about public safety and gun control, prompted an extraordinary session of the National Security Council on January 3. During this session, the Council plans to discuss measures for detecting and seizing illegal weapons and the recruitment of additional police officers to address the current shortfall in law enforcement personnel. Furthermore, there are discussions about the potential introduction of a new Law on Weapons to curb firearm presence on the streets.
This tragic event is the second such mass shooting in Cetinje in a little over two years, with a similar incident occurring in August 2022 resulting in 10 fatalities. The government’s response aims at not only addressing immediate security lapses but also implementing long-term legislative changes. Additional details from local media reported the precarious situation in the town at the time, highlighting that only nine police officers were present when the attack began, raising concerns about the town’s preparedness for such incidents.
The massacre has not only shaken the community but also stirred political tensions, with former President Milo Đukanović criticizing the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Police Directorate for failing to prevent the tragedy while holding simultaneous press conferences. The government has declared a period of national mourning until January 4, as confirmed by Prime Minister Spajić, who emphasized the immediate actions being undertaken to ensure justice and enhance public safety.
For more in-depth coverage, visit the original report by JURIST.