Celebratory Shootings on the Rise in South East Europe according to Regional Quarterly Armed Violence Monitor
SEESAC has published its latest Regional Quarterly Armed Violence Monitor for July to September 2024, documenting a concerning rise in firearm incidents across South East Europe. This quarter saw a total of 922 firearm incidents, a 21% increase from the previous quarter, reflected in nearly all types of incidents involving firearms.
Following the trend of previous years, celebratory shootings remain a concern in July–September 2024, with 104 celebratory shootings reported during the third quarter, a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2023 and a significant rise from the previous quarter. These incidents, which involve the discharge of firearms at weddings, holidays, and family gatherings, represent a cultural practice with dangerous consequences. Six people, both men and women, sustained injuries due to celebratory shootings, underlining the risks associated with this tradition.
Weapon seizures accounted for 44% of reported incidents, with a marked increase in handgun seizures.
A sharp rise was observed in undetermined shootings, with 111 incidents, a 45% increase from the previous quarter, continuing an upward trend observed since early 2024. Public disputes involving firearms saw a slight increase, while incidents in the criminal context declined, primarily due to a 27% drop in armed robberies.
The Monitor documents a concerning rise in firearm-related victims, impacting 314 people, including 40 who died, 104 who were injured, and 84 who were threatened, underscoring the far-reaching effects of armed violence on civilians. Additionally, 16 people died in firearm-related suicides.
Men remain the dominant perpetrators, representing 99% of all cases where the perpetrator's sex was identified.
For further insights into 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 media reports and reports of public institutions where available, covering the Western Balkans and the Republic of Moldova.
The collected data ranges 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.