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Tracking Trends: Firearm Incidents and Fatalities Decline Across South East Europe, but Injuries are on the Rise

Firearm incidents continue to affect communities across South East Europe, yet recent data points to progress in curbing their occurrence. SEESAC’s latest Regional Armed Violence Monitor shows that between April and June 2025, the region recorded fewer firearm incidents and fatalities, while the number of reported weapon seizures remained high, reflecting the continued law enforcement efforts. However, the rise in firearm-related injuries highlights that armed violence remains a persistent challenge, requiring ongoing commitment and coordinated action.

The main findings include

  • A total of 819 incidents were recorded, a drop from 935 in the previous quarter, yet 7% higher than during the same period last year.
  • Weapon seizures remained the most reported type of incident, accounting for 57% of all cases (464 incidents), despite a slight quarterly decline.
  • Incidents in the criminal context dropped by 35%, primarily due to reductions in armed robberies and cases linked to organised crime.
  • Domestic violence cases involving firearms decreased slightly, with 29 cases.
  • Firearm-related fatalities fell by more than half, from 36 to 17 deaths.
  • Firearm-related injuries, however, rose by 18%, with 97 victims reported.
  • 78% of all victims and 98% of perpetrators were men.
  • Women were most often victims in domestic violence cases (45%), followed by public disputes and armed robberies.
  • In 72% of incidents, weapons were found to be illegally possessed.
  • Handguns were the most frequently reported weapon type, followed by rifles/shotguns and explosive devices.

Through the Regional Quarterly Armed Violence Monitors, SEESAC provides data that helps understand firearm-related trends, shape effective policies, and strengthen arms control and efforts to reduce armed violence in the region.

Explore the full report here.

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.
 

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