This 2004 survey from Saferworld and the UNDP Small Arms Control in Serbia and Montenegro Project (SACISCG) examines the small arms situation in Serbia. It presents findings on the distribution, impact and perceptions of small arms and on government capacity for conducting small arms and light weapons (SALW) intervention. The report is based on key informant interviews, a nation-wide SALW survey, focus group discussions and a review of available data.
There are an estimated 2,898,416 SALW in Serbia, including over one million firearms registered to private citizens and over 900,000 unlicensed firearms. Most people own firearms to protect themselves, their families and property, possibly indicating the legacy of conflict, poor state control and mistrust of state authorities. However, most citizens feel safe in their communities and do not experience SALW-related crime. They are not, therefore, greatly concerned by SALW proliferation, despite perceptions of too many guns in society and the state’s inability to adequately guarantee security.
Findings on the impact of SALW on individuals, communities and the state, and public perceptions of SALW and security in Serbia indicate that:
- armed robbery is increasing, as is the number of homicides committed with firearms. Lack of trust in traditional security providers has led some sections of society to turn to private security companies;
- organised crime remains a serious problem. Serbia is no longer a major destination for illicit SALW, but remains a transit state for illicit goods. Evidence suggests significant interdependence between SALW and drug and human trafficking;
- most people do not view insecurity as the most pressing concern or directly link security levels to SALW. An unwillingness to address links between gun ownership and social standing and personal and family protection may contribute to this view; and
- over half of the public view weapons amnesties as having a positive impact on security. Due to lack of trust in the police, however, doubt exists about their likely success.
The Serbian government has made significant progress in supporting measures to control SALW, with major achievements at regulatory, operational and enforcement levels, although problems remain:
- The Law on Trade in Arms, Military Equipment and Dual Purpose Goods improves state capacity to control legitimate movement of SALW across borders. Verification of its enforcement, however, requires measures to enhance transparency.
- Law enforcement and intelligence agencies need financial resources and competent staff to disrupt SALW trafficking. Low salaries and political influence make police officers susceptible to corruption, diminishing trust in the rule of law.
- Border police need greater assistance in line with the steady increase in traffic and goods through Serbia. Support to law enforcement agencies must be accompanied by efforts to counter corruption and politicisation.
- An objective and enforceable system for licensing civilian possession of firearms is fundamental to reducing the impact of SALW proliferation and misuse. Serbia’s current criteria-based system requires significant elaboration and standardisation.
- Since 2001 the judicial process has been reformed in an attempt to restore public trust, enhance efficiency and increase capacity to uphold the law.
- Unavailable or incomplete data make evaluating government capacity to control SALW proliferation and the impact of SALW difficult. Improved data collection and management is needed to understand and respond to the impact of SALW.
