Armed Violence Monitor: Lowest Number of Firearm Deaths Reported in Last Quarter of 2022

SEESAC’s latest Quarterly Armed Violence Regional Monitor, covering October-December 2022, shows that the total number of firearm incidents decreased - 821 firearm incidents were recorded, which is a 12% drop compared to the third quarter of 2022.

This quarter saw a decrease in firearm deaths, with 66% fewer deaths than in the previous quarter (16 compared to 47). This is the lowest number of firearm deaths reported for the year.

With 321 cases recorded, weapon seizures continue to be the most reported type of incident in the region, with handguns being the most seized type of weapon during this quarter, followed by rifles/shotguns and explosives. A total of 27 seizures of pyrotechnic devices were reported in this quarter, identical to the same period in 2021.

The Monitor also highlights the fact that firearm incidents in the criminal context were the second most reported type of incidents, being recorded in 163 cases, showing a 46% increase from the previous quarter.

On the other hand, the number of undetermined shootings decreased by 36% compared to the previous quarter, from 134 to 86, resulting in 3 killed and 25 injured people.

Unfortunately, this quarter also observed 18 firearm-related suicides, with all victims being men, while 3 women were killed with firearms in domestic violence context.

Men accounted for 99% of all perpetrators, of those whose sex was reported.

To learn more details on the reported incidents, download the report here .

More data on firearms incidents in South East Europe is available on the Armed Violence Monitoring Platform.

About the Armed Violence Monitoring Platform (AVMP)

The AVMP monitors firearms-related incidents happening in South East Europe. Established in 2014, it collects detailed data from the media reports and reports of public institutions where available, covering Albania, Bosnia, and Herzegovina, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Kosovo*.

The collected data range from the type of incident, firearms used, age and gender of the victim and the perpetrator, outcome of the incident, etc.

The AVMP aims to make essential data available to all interested parties and serve as an informative tool for interventions with the overarching goal of a more effective arms control framework and reducing their negative impact on civilians.

The AVMP is supported with funding from the EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/2111 to support SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South-East Europe, reducing the threat of illicit small arms and light weapons, and their ammunition.

 *References to Kosovo shall be understood in the context of the Security Council resolution 1244 (1999)