New In Focus Publications Reveal Firearm Trends in the Western Balkans (2019–2024)
To mark the completion of the first phase of the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap (2019–2024), SEESAC has launched three new In Focus publications analyzing firearm-related trends in the region. Drawing on data collected through the Armed Violence Monitoring Platform (AVMP), the monitors shed light on weapon seizures, as well as firearm incidents in the criminal context and domestic violence, providing a clearer understanding of the dynamics of arms control and armed violence over the past six years.
Weapon seizures represented almost half of all firearm incidents in the Western Balkans between 2019 and 2024. Their number more than doubled, rising from 776 cases in 2019 to 1,719 in 2024. Handguns were the most frequently seized type of weapon, followed by explosive devices and rifles/shotguns. In 98% of cases, the seized weapons were in illegal possession, highlighting both the scale of the challenge and the effectiveness of authorities in intercepting them, as well as the region’s commitment to controlling the spread of firearms.
Firearm Incidents in the Criminal Context
Between 2019 and 2024, nearly 1 in 5 firearm incidents occurred in the criminal context, totalling 2,883 cases. Armed robberies accounted for more than half of these incidents, although they declined by 60% over the period. In contrast, firearm incidents linked to organized crime, which represented a quarter of all cases, increased until 2023 before declining in 2024. Despite fluctuating numbers, the impact on people remained high, resulting in over 2,100 reported victims, majority of whom were men.
Domestic Violence: A Lethal Setting for Women
Although firearm incidents in domestic settings accounted for just 3% of all firearm incidents, they were the most lethal context, especially for women. From 2019 to 2024, firearm incidents in this context increased by 81%, peaking in 2024 with 123 reported cases. In this period, 107 women were killed with firearms by intimate partners or other family members, more than in all other types of incidents combined. In total, 729 victims were recorded, with women making up 63% of all victims in this context.
These In Focus publications offer a comprehensive picture of both SALW control efforts and firearm misuse in the Western Balkans. They highlight progress, such as declining armed robberies and increasing law enforcement action in curbing firearm trafficking and illicit possession, while also pointing to ongoing challenges, especially the devastating consequences of firearms in domestic settings.
About the Armed Violence Monitoring Platform (AVMP)
The Armed Violence Monitoring Platform (AVMP) has been tracking firearm-related incidents in South East Europe since 2014. It collects detailed data from media and public institution reports covering the Western Balkans and Moldova.
The collected data encompasses the type of incident, firearms used, victim/perpetrator demographics, and the outcome of the incident, among others, providing essential insights for arms control efforts and policymaking. By making this data accessible, the platform supports targeted interventions to reduce the impact of armed violence on civilians.
The AVMP is currently supported by funding from the EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/3006 to support SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South Europe, thereby reducing the threat posed by illicit small arms, light weapons, and their ammunition.