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New SEESAC Armed Violence Monitor: Latest quarterly trends in firearm incidents across South East Europe

SEESAC has published the latest Regional Quarterly Armed Violence Monitor, providing an overview of firearm incidents recorded across South East Europe during the second quarter of 2026. While the overall number of firearm incidents declined by 11% compared to the previous quarter, the number of people killed in firearm incidents increased, highlighting the human impact of armed violence across the region.

The key findings from the Monitor include:

  • 849 firearm incidents were reported across South East Europe in the second quarter of 2026, a decline from the previous quarter.
  • Weapon seizures (415) remained the most common type of firearm incident, accounting for 49% of all reported cases.
  • Incidents in the criminal-context (144) dropped by 14% compared to the previous quarter, although cases linked to organized crime remained the leading subcategory.
  • Undetermined shootings (77) increased by 31%, showing a reversal of  the trend observed in the previous reporting period.
  • Public dispute involving firearms (85) remained stable, while domestic violence incidents marked a slight decrease.
  • The number of people killed in firearm incidents increased from 20 to 32, whereas the numbers of those injured (88) and threatened (95) declined.
  • Handguns remained the most frequently reported type of weapon, while explosive devices ranked second, followed by rifles/shotguns.
  • Incidents involving firearms in illegal possession accounted for two-thirds of all reported incidents.

By tracking regional trends in firearm incidents, the Regional Quarterly Armed Violence Monitor provides evidence to support policymakers and law enforcement authorities in designing targeted measures to reduce armed violence and strengthen firearm control.

The full Regional Quarterly Armed Violence Monitor is available here.

About the Armed Violence Monitoring Platform (AVMP)

The Armed Violence Monitoring Platform (AVMP) has been tracking firearm 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.

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