Gov't adopts measures announced by Vucic

BELGRADE - The Serbian government on Friday adopted measures announced by President Aleksandar Vucic earlier in the day following Thursday night's shooting spree in Mladenovac that left eight people dead.

In a statement, the government said the measures included urgent preparation of amendments to the Weapons and Ammunition Law by the Interior Ministry to toughen requirements for possession and carrying of short firearms and introduce compulsory buyout of firearms from those who failed to meet the requirements.

The measure is intended to reduce the number of short firearms in possession of legal and natural persons by 90 pct.

The amendments will also envision mandatory semi-annual and annual checks of individuals licenced for possession of firearms (including hunting firearms) that would include medical, psychiatric and psychological examinations as well as mandatory tests for psychoactive substances.

The Interior Ministry will also consider introducing stricter requirements for possession of hunting firearms.

In addition to a moratorium on issuing licences for possession and carrying of short firearms, the ministry will also take all measures within its authority to ensure a two-year moratorium on issuing licences for possession and carrying of hunting firearms.

The Ministry will issue a public call to individuals who are illegally in possession of weapons or explosive devices to hand them in within a period of one month without consequences, the statement also said.