Armed Violence Monitor: Number of Victims of Firearm Incidents on Rise in First Quarter of 2023

SEESAC’s most recent Quarterly Armed Violence Regional Monitor, covering January-March 2023, reveals a rise in firearm-related deaths and injuries.

This quarter witnessed a 75% increase in the number of deaths, with 28 fatalities compared to the previous quarter's 16. Additionally, the number of individuals injured by firearms rose from 80 to 93.

Unfortunately, there were also 24 suicides with firearms, 50% more than in the previous quarter. All victims were men.

This quarter observed a slight decline in the number of firearm incidents (821) compared to the previous quarter (827).

Among the reported incidents, weapon seizures remained the most frequently recorded type, comprising 44% of all firearm incidents, with a total of 361 cases. Handguns accounted for the majority of seized weapons, followed by rifles/shotguns and explosives.

Incidents in the criminal context were the second most reported type of incidents, with 145 cases recorded. This represents a 14% decrease from the 166 incidents in the previous quarter. These incidents resulted in 10 people killed, 11 injured and 58 threatened.

In contrast, the number of undetermined shootings increased from 86 to 122, representing a 40% rise compared to the previous quarter.

To learn more details on the reported incidents, download the report here.

Men accounted for 98% of all perpetrators, of those whose sex was reported.

More data on firearms incidents in South East Europe is available on the Armed Violence Monitoring Platform. 

About the Armed Violence Monitoring Platform (AVMP)

The AVMP monitors firearms-related incidents happening in South East Europe. Established in 2014, it collects detailed data from the media reports and reports of public institutions where available, covering the Western Balkans and the Republic of Moldova.

The collected data range from the type of incident, firearms used, age and gender of the victim and the perpetrator, outcome of the incident, etc.

The AVMP aims to make essential data available to all interested parties and serve as an informative tool for interventions with the overarching goal of a more effective arms control framework and reducing their negative impact on civilians.

The AVMP is supported with funding from the EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/2111 to support SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South-East Europe, reducing the threat of illicit small arms and light weapons, and their ammunition.