From Awareness to Action: Trainings on Preventing Firearm Misuse in Domestic Violence and Gender Responsive Firearm Licensing held in Tirana

Following a series of successfully delivered trainings earlier this year in Podgorica, Pristina and Skopje on the application of the Guidelines for Assessing and Addressing Risks Related to Firearms Misuse in Domestic Violence and the Guidelines for Gender-Responsive Firearms License Approval, SEESAC supported two additional trainings this week in Tirana.  

The two peer-led trainings were conducted by trainers from the Albanian State Police, who had previously been trained through SEESAC's regional Training of Trainers (ToT) programs in 2024. This approach enabled the integration of expertise directly within institutions, guaranteeing a long-term and sustainable impact. 

The first training, held on 7 October, gathered police officers dealing with domestic violence cases. Participants strengthened their knowledge and practical skills to adequately assess, and address risks associated with firearms in the context of domestic violence, ensuring a timely and appropriate response. By utilising SEESAC’s Guidelines, participants engaged in practical exercises to identify high-risk scenarios, gather essential information, and evaluate risks posed by legal and illegal firearms. 

Two days later, on 9 October, the second training commenced, gathering professionals involved in firearms license approval and background check processes. Participants enhanced their understanding of the gender dimensions of firearms misuse and the critical gender considerations involved in the firearms licensing process, particularly in cases of domestic violence and among high-risk groups, such as young men. The training also strengthened participants' knowledge and skills to implement gender-responsive approach when reviewing firearms license applications, including conducting thorough background checks and making informed decisions on license approvals. 

The trainings were organised under the regional project 'Support for Enhancing the Fight Against the Illegal Possession, Misuse, and Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in the Western Balkans' funded by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II). Through this project, SEESAC is providing support to authorities in the Western Balkans to mainstream the gender perspective in the SALW control measures and, in particular, to prevent and combat the misuse of firearms in domestic violence