THE ROLE OF THE POLICE IN COUNTERING THE ILLEGAL POSSESSION AND TRAFFICKING OF FIREARMS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA
Keywords:
firearms, legalization, criminal offense, penal policy, dark figure of crimeAbstract
Purpose
A prerequisite for successfully combating the illegal possession and trafficking of firearms is to encourage individuals who illegally possess firearms to hand them over to the police as part of legalization campaigns and to identify perpetrators under Article 348 of the Criminal Code through the use of modern proactive policing models. The aim of the research is to assess the outcomes of both approaches by the competent authorities, that is, the effectiveness of prevention and repression in this area of crime.
Design/Methods/Approach
The research refers to the period from 2018 to 2024. Normative and statistical methods, content analysis, formal and logical analysis, and comparative methods were used. Statistical data and verdicts related to the criminal offense from Article 348 of the Criminal Code obtained from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, the Ministry of Interior, and the courts, were analyzed.
Findings
Greater efficiency and effectiveness in combating crime related to the illegal possession and trafficking of firearms is achieved through a combination of preventive measures and the implementation of appropriate investigative strategies based on proactive policing in detecting and prosecuting the criminal offense under Article 348 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Serbia. The results of the investigations carried out show that in Serbia the quantity of firearms and ammunition voluntarily surrendered during legalization campaigns was significantly higher than the amount confiscated through criminal proceedings.
Originality/Value
Such researches have not been carried out on the territory of Serbia so far, and they can point out to the scientific and professional public the advantages of applying modern proactive police work models.
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