Skopje, 30 July 2025

CIVIL – Center for Freedom, a member of IANSA since 2002 and the Control Arms Coalition since 2003, strongly condemns the recent proposal by the Ministry of Interior to amend the Weapons Law. The amendment would allow civilian firearm owners to purchase ammunition without prior approval, instead relying solely on transactions through authorized legal entities. This shift gravely undermines public safety and damages North Macedonia’s international reputation.

Security Implications

1. Opening avenues to illegal trafficking
   The Western Balkans already serve as a key route for smuggling small arms and ammunition into Europe. Eliminating Ministry-issued approvals greatly increases the risk that legally purchased ammunition will be diverted into criminal hands.
2. Strengthening Organized Crime and Terrorist Networks
   Organized criminal groups operating within North Macedonia and across neighboring countries are already gaining power due to systemic inconsistencies and gaps in arms control. A liberalized approach means more ammunition will circulate without trace—making it ripe for misuse. The deregulation proposed by the Ministry of Interior, under Minister Pance Toshkovski, represents a departure from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Firearms Protocol. This move is likely to further reinforce terrorist networks that see such liberalization as an opportunity to build ammunition stockpiles.
3. Overloading Investigative Capacity
   Although North Macedonia’s Ministry of Interior has received EU-funded equipment to assist in firearms and crime scene investigations, relevant departments within the Ministry are already under significant operational pressure. The proposed policy by Minister Pance Toshkovski would further stress the system: the influx of ammunition that is difficult to trace will hinder investigation efforts and make perpetrators of firearm-related crimes less accessible to law enforcement.
4. Weakening control and oversight mechanisms
   Existing systems – already under scrutiny for corruption and low public trust – will be further compromised by removing prior authorization for civilian ammunition procurement.

Diplomatic and International Fallout

1. Directly contradicts EU-aligned standards and the UNDP/SEESAC SALW Roadmap
   As an EU accession candidate, North Macedonia is obliged to implement the Regional SALW Roadmap, led by UNDP/SEESAC and aligned with EU norms. This roadmap aims for comprehensive control legislation and the reduction of illegal flows and diversion risk by 2024. The proposed liberalization undermines these commitments.
2. Violates obligations related to ammunition imports under the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)
   Despite domestic civilian sales falling outside the ATT’s scope, North Macedonia must regulate all ammunition imports, perform risk assessments, and prevent diversion in accordance with ATT standards. Deregulating civilian purchases sends a troubling signal that international weapon controls may be disregarded.
3. Erodes credibility in the EU integration process
   Such a policy shift may reduce confidence in North Macedonia’s dedication to upholding security and regulatory benchmarks required by EU institutions and member states.

As an organization with a 25-year history of advocating for strict arms control – a member of IANSA and Control Arms since their beginnings – CIVIL urges the Ministry of Interior to immediately withdraw the proposed amendments. This measure endangers citizens, emboldens criminal actors, and undermines regional and European trust.

Instead of deregulation, the country should adopt measures that secure both public safety and international credibility:

• Mandatory prior authorization for civilian ammunition purchases,
• Rigorous record-keeping and tracing mechanisms,
• Modernized systems with automated risk assessment and diversion control tools.

These steps not only protect citizens but also bolster North Macedonia’s progress toward EU integration and strengthen its international standing.

CIVIL – Center for Freedom

Contacts:
CIVIL – Center for Freedom (Member of IANSA since 2002, Control Arms Coalition since 2003)
Email: civil.macedonia@gmail.com | Tel: +389 2 5209 176
Jabir Deralla, President: deralla@civil.mk