Kosovars arms marakles increase for three years the number of permits given to hold them

More and more Kosovo citizens are turning to firearms either for recreation or for security.

For three years, the number of weapons possession permits has increased by nearly three thousand.

Interior Ministry records in the country indicate that more than 10,000 such permits were granted during the year 2024 alone.

The reasons that lead citizens to arm themselves, according to her, relate to their passions for target and hunting.

But security experts differ: public uncertainty, they say, is one of the main factors.

That, in some ways, confirms Besnik, 25-year-old from Pristina, who is in the process of securing gun permits.

It is natural to feel more secure when you know about the use of a weapon and you have it with you, he says, not wanting to be more identified.

Radio Free Europe spoke with him in late December at the University Clinical Centre's Psychiatry Clinic (QKUK), where he was waiting for the t dealt with psychological and psychiatric tests needed to be equipped with gun permits.

Not far from him was another citizen, in his mid-20s, who was identified only by the name Leart.

“will apply for short weapons and long weapons”, he said.

I'd like to keep my gun... even for hobbies, but, normally, I feel even safer when I'm carrying it”, Leart added.

Who can be armed?

With the Law on Weapons in Kosovo, any person who has been with at least 21 years could ask permission to be equipped with weapons.

The applicant has to possess psychophysics ability and pass the theoretical and practical test for the use of the weapon.

There should also be reliable reasons for the need for weapons and clean criminal backgrounds.

The assessment is held by authorities responsible for the assigned field.

The weapon, despite its permission, can be confiscated by judicial decision, if the owner loses the capacity of action, psychophysics ability, punished for criminal offence or violates defined conditions.

At QKUUK, over 50 people are subject to therapy checks, psychiatrists, neurologer, othoronologist, and othoronaryring, as well as biochemical tests all necessary to request gun permission.

Psychiatric Clinic Director Faton Kutlovci says he has noticed an increase in young people's interest in handling such certificates.

It does not offer comparable figures, but says that from the end of September until early December last year, some 500 health certificates have been issued, needed to apply for gun permits, whether for the first time or for its continuation.

There are people who do not pass tests due to previous psychiatric treatments, psychiatric diseases, psycho-active substance abuse etc.”, says Kutlovci of Radio Free Europe.

As a separate concern, he cites the demands of younger people than 21 years of age to undergo medical gun - bearing tests.

“... but, of course, they cannot be equipped with health certificates”, he says.

Cases of people under 21 reports the Mitrovica General Hospital.

A statement given to Radio Free Europe said that between April and December last year, there have been 64 people between the ages of 19 and 24 who were submitted for medical checkups, but that under 21-year-olds have not been allowed to submit to them.

During that period, 1,027 gun - bearing health certificates have been issued in this hospital.

Three times as many such certificates during the past year have issued Prizren General Hospital exactly 3.298.

The 21-23s have been 129 beneficiaries, according to data it has provided REL from this facility.

At the next General Hospital of Pec, they say they issued 1,255 gun - bearing health certificates during 2024. Among those who have provided them, 72 people have been up to 23 years old.

Such certificates have issued the Gjakova General Hospital last year.

His officials confirm for Radio Free Europe that 20 percent of those equipped with them have been 22-27.

At Gjilan General Hospital, meanwhile, the number of health certificates issued from January to late December 2024 was 1.908.

We've had young people aged 21, 22, and 23. Usually, age 40 to over 65 has dominated”, the Free Europe Radio reportedly submitted.

Increase in number of gun permits over the years

Kosovo's Ministry of Internal Affairs confirms the Radio Free Europe of the past four years has given weapons permit to 35.293 people.

The number of data permits has changed over the years in 2021 to 7,520, in 2022 it was 7,125, in 1923 it was 10,458, and by the beginning of December 2024 it was 10,190.

Asked about the reasons for applicants, the MPB says they are mainly connected to target and hunting, and that the permits they dominate are for hunting weapons and specific sports.

According to her, the average age of those equipped with them is about 40 years old.

In an earlier statement to REL, the MPB has said that by 2010 there were about 35,000 weapons recorded in the United Nations Administration in Kosovo UNMIK and that now “these weapons are gradually being recorded under the UN Law of weapons”.

Kosovo police say that, on annual grounds, they seize an average of about 1,500 weapons of various types without permission.

Over 230 000 are estimated in the hands of Kosovo citizens Gun without permission.

“in the January-August 2024 period has been confiscated by 1,122 weapons and 20,653 ammunition”, the Kosovo Police's response reportedly sent. REL.

For illegal weapons, the Republic of Kosovo's Penal Code envisions fines of up to 7,500 euros or prison sentences of up to 10 years.

Burim Ramadani, an expert on security issues in Kosovo, who earlier served as deputy defence minister, says one of the main reasons that urges Kosovo citizens to arm themselves is public uncertainty.

“Security is not just physical, it's above all feeling. The security theme is almost the only one in Kosovo, and this, normally, affects the growing sense of uncertainty”, says Ramadani for Radio Free Europe.

Kosovo police have not responded to Radio Europe Free Radio's question about the number of Kosovo murders in 2024.

But earlier, this institution confirmed it. REL that in January-October 2023, 26 murders were recorded, while there were 21.

In daily media communities, police often report violence, injury, robbery, and other criminal acts.

The most unstable security situation, according to officials, is in northern Kosovo, where the majority population is Serb and influenced by official Belgrade.