After the National Security session, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić declared that all individuals legally owning firearms in the country must undergo psychological and security evaluations. He warned that those who do not voluntarily surrender illegal weapons within the next two months will face severe penalties.

Spajić described the tragedy in Cetinje as a “heavy burden for the state,” noting that the session he attended was one of the most challenging he had experienced.

“I also want to express my gratitude to the Montenegrin media for their professional reporting during this difficult time. I am truly proud of the media. It’s essential for us to come together as a nation in our grief,” Spajić stated.

He mentioned that Aco Martinović, responsible for the deaths of twelve individuals on Wednesday, had a history of psychiatric issues, highlighting the event’s “health component.”

“How could someone have the heart to kill his own sister and two young children? I want to clarify that the motives were not religious or ethnic,” Spajić emphasized, while also indicating that medical intervention provided a chance to save lives.

Spajić confirmed that over 150 police officers were deployed in Cetinje to apprehend Martinović.

He commented that the existence of information regarding individuals with psychiatric disorders, previously classified under code F, has not been effectively integrated into the Ministry of Interior’s data.

“NATO countries are prepared to assist us. They also face challenges with war veterans suffering from conditions like PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder),” Spajić remarked.

He added that the session concluded with a decision to enact new gun legislation.

“Individuals holding permits will have until January 1, 2026, to undergo new, more stringent examinations. Those who fail to comply will need to surrender their firearms or face legal repercussions. Our goal is to establish the most rigorous checks in Europe for those wishing to possess firearms. The situation with illegal weapons remains problematic, but the ‘Respect Life, Return Weapons’ campaign has already shown positive outcomes and will run for two months. Anyone who does not return their weapon by that deadline will face severe penalties. Following that, new laws will make possession and particularly carrying weapons significantly more stringent,” Spajić explained.

He added that there would be no leniency for those who fail to return their weapons.

“They could face imprisonment, and we are firm on making carrying illegal firearms unacceptable. The law will be specific, and judges will have limited discretion, imposing harsh penalties. Hunting associations will need to adhere to stricter criteria. Additionally, sports-shooting organizations must ensure they do not inadvertently recruit individuals from organized crime or radicalized groups that facilitate illegal firearm purchases. We will not allow this to continue,” the Prime Minister stated.

Aco Martinović in Cetinje killed twelve people with a firearm on Wednesday and seriously injured four others. He attempted suicide by shooting himself in the head while being transported to the hospital.

Stay updated with live coverage of the Cetinje massacre on our blog.

(Telegraph.rs/tanjug)