‘Vučić created this atmosphere of hate’: Serbians wary of president’s gun pledge

Mass shootings prompted arms amnesty, but many see politicians and media as part of the problem

In the first three days of an amnesty after mass shootings plunged their country into shock and soul-searching, Serbians surrendered more than 6,000 unregistered weapons, 300,000 rounds of ammunition and 470 explosive devices.

But in a deeply divided nation awash with lethal weaponry, where war criminals are glorified, reality shows on state TV star convicted murderers, and memories of savage recent conflicts run deep, many doubt whether the president’s pledge to “disarm” the country will be enough.