Prime Minister meets with initiator of the “Marko and Mašan Law”: Public consultation on Draft Law begins next week

The Draft Law on Weapons, which introduces centralized and stricter controls for issuing firearms licenses, shorter license validity periods, and harsher penalties for illegal weapons possession, will be open for public consultation starting next week.

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić shared this information with Maja Ljiljanić Popović, the initiator of the so-called “Marko and Mašan Law,” during their meeting yesterday at the Government headquarters.

A dedicated team will oversee the implementation of all activities in this area, the Prime Minister stated, emphasizing that the team will include representatives from the Ministries of Justice, Interior, Health, and Social Welfare, alongside police and expert advisors. Those who fail to deliver results will not remain part of the team, he added.

Prime Minister Spajić also confirmed that U.S. partners have been contacted for support. We have requested the FBI to conduct an analysis of the two tragedies in Cetinje over the past two and a half years, and we have already received a positive response at the political level, he stated.

Maja Ljiljanić Popović noted that the families of the victims of the August 2022 crime are still waiting for legal resolution.

We are waiting for the truth. Not a single question about what happened that day has been answered. The entire system failed. This is a problem for all of Montenegro, and I expect change, she said.

The draft submitted to the Ministry of Interior focuses on tightening controls over firearms ownership while emphasizing the crucial role of the healthcare system.

Individuals with a history of violent behaviour must not be allowed to own firearms, and such weapons should be confiscated immediately following any violent incidents. We also demand mandatory psychiatric evaluations for perpetrators of violence, Ljiljanić Popović stated, expressing confidence in the effectiveness of the proposed measures.

Prime Minister Spajić met yesterday with members of the Ministry of Health and the Clinical Center of Montenegro team tasked with supporting Cetinje. He was briefed on the status of ongoing sectoral activities and stressed the importance of fully committing to providing psychological and other support to those in need.

The Prime Minister praised the Clinical Center staff and commended the entire healthcare system, led by Minister of Health Vojislav Šimun, for its professional, responsible, and efficient response during a deeply challenging time for the entire country.

The meeting was also attended by Minister Šimun and Aleksandar Radović, Director of the Clinical Center.