In post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina, burdened by national, social and economic problems, the ubiquity of weapons creates an environment of general insecurity for the citizens. Very clear warning signs of this development of the situation are the increasingly frequent armed incidents and murders. The state apparatus, as well as society as a whole, must begin to deal with this problem much more seriously.
According to official statistical data, the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina own about 1.2 million pieces of registered weapons of various calibers. It is estimated that in addition to this number, citizens also own around 750,000 pieces of illegal weapons. Security experts emphasize that legal weapons are under the control of security authorities and are not such a problem, but illegal weapons.
SANDI DIZDAREVIĆ, security expert
“A much bigger problem is illegal weapons, and they are most often in the hands of organized criminal groups, and we see that all the bloody crimes committed, we are talking about blood, sexual and other crimes, were actually committed with illegal weapons.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina emerged from the war as a country in which around one million citizens suffered from PTSD. These citizens did not have adequate psychological help and support, and with economic problems and constant political tensions, the problems became even more pronounced. That is why the ubiquity of weapons in BiH. society an explosive combination that manifests itself through numerous cases of murder.
MIRA VILUŠIĆ, psychotherapist and activist “HO Horizonti” Tuzla
“On the other hand, after the war, we constantly have a very high pressure from the political top where the people cannot enjoy that peace, it is a ‘positive peace’, just don’t shoot, and now we see that the shooting has started, and they constantly give a message, that is, a model of behavior from the top, how it should descend to the bottom, how something should be fought again.”
During the past two years, the MUP of Tuzla Canton confiscated over 160 illegally owned weapons and explosive devices in numerous actions. After several years of noticeable increased interest of citizens in acquiring weapons, this interest has been declining over the last two years.
ADNANA SPRECIĆ, spokesperson of the MUP TK
“In 2022, therefore, 1,629 weapons certificates were issued, and in 2023, 1,360.”
The entire state apparatus must do much more so that, first of all, illegal weapons are found and confiscated, but society as a whole must also recognize this problem as a priority for creating a safe environment for future generations.
SANDI DIZDAREVIĆ, security expert
“From the police point of view, this is the only way of offensive police action through searches, raids and similar actions. However, the police is not the only subject of the state that is responsible for the illegal possession of weapons. First of all, as members of this society, as families, we are responsible for keeping control and we socialize our own children. If we as families don’t have control over our own children, when it comes to the police then unfortunately it’s too late.”
With the systematic approach of security agencies and the police apparatus aimed at finding and confiscating illegal weapons, BiH society, if it wants to reduce the presence of weapons and thus create a safer environment, must take a broad action to improve both the political and general culture of dialogue in public space, and violence, especially against women and children, is far more drastically punished by law, BHRT writes.
Photo ©️ AA
