First Draft- Writing Project 2

Introduction

Recently, Serbia has witnessed many distressing incidents that have prompted serious

apprehensions regarding public safety, mental well-being, and gun control. My annotated

bibliography compiles six sources that offer valuable perspectives on pressing concerns such as

school shootings, firearms-related violence, gender-based violence, and the influence of

historical narratives on the younger generation’s perceptions of Serbian history. These sources

provide crucial insights into the diverse challenges confronting Serbia and underscore the

significance of tackling these issues for the nation's long-term welfare and prosperity. Not only

did my research reveal the intricate connection between firearm availability and legislation, but it

also heavily influenced forms of violence, including domestic and school-related incidents,

highlighting the issue's multifaceted nature and complexity.

The article addresses the recent consecutive shootings in Serbia, one occurring in

a school and the other involving an illegal firearm. Serbia's government, led by President

Aleksandar Vucic, is proposing stricter gun regulations, increased penalties for illegal firearms,

and increased police presence in schools due to significant gun ownership. Also, past initiatives

have utilized amnesty programs to encourage the voluntary surrender of illicit weapons. This

article, published by The New York Times on May 5, 2023, offers a current and highly relevant

source of information regarding gun-related issues in Serbia. This publication discusses the

recent surge in mass shootings in the country, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive

gun control measures. The authority of this source is bolstered by The New York Times'

esteemed reputation as a globally recognized and trustworthy news organization renowned for its

unwavering commitment to rigorous journalistic standards. Moreover, the article is authored by

Cora Engelbrecht, contributing further to its credibility. When it comes to accuracy, The New

York Times is renowned for its commitment to delivering precise and reliable news. Journalists

associated with this publication adhere to strict codes of ethics and standards, ensuring that

minor errors are promptly corrected. The primary purpose of this source is to inform the public

about the intricate challenges surrounding gun ownership and gun control in Serbia, with a

specific emphasis on the recent string of mass shootings. Through comprehensive reporting, the

article strives to provide a deep understanding of this critical issue, ultimately serving the

educational needs of the readership.

This source discusses a study investigating how young Serbians born after

Yugoslavia's violent break-up understand the historical events and their implications. The study

explores their collective memory of conflict, the potential normalization of past violence through

narrative, and the role of history textbooks in shaping their understanding of history and

nationalism. Further, given that the study was published in 2021, this not only proves the

currency of the source but also indicates its relevance to my research topic as it addresses the

understanding of young Serbians about the violent break-up of Yugoslavia, which is central to

the study's focus. The study examines collective memory, narratives, history education, and

nationalism, aligning with the research needs. It also provides valuable information that can

contribute to a better understanding of how these young individuals perceive their nation's

history. On another note, the publication is associated with the Association for the Study of

Ethnicity and Nationalism, which suggests an academic context. The abstract presents the

research approach and methods, such as interviews and group discussions with first-year

university students in Serbia. Overall, the study's methodology is described clearly and also

discusses its goals and objectives related to understanding how young Serbians perceive their
nation's history and the potential influence of history textbooks. As for the purpose, it aligns with

academic research and contributes to the scholarly discourse on the topic.

The article discusses the occurrence of two consecutive mass shootings in Serbia.

It involved two incidents where the first, a 13-year-old, killed nine people at a school in

Belgrade. The second incident took place a day later near a farming village. It resulted in eight

more fatalities and numerous injuries. The source reports on President Aleksandar Vucic's call

for significant changes to Serbia's gun laws, aiming for substantially reduced gun ownership.

Published in May 2023, this source is exceptionally current, offering in-depth insights into the

immediate aftermath of back-to-back mass shootings in Serbia, making it a primary reference for

understanding these events. Its high relevance lies in its comprehensive coverage of these tragic

incidents, including public and official responses. The authority of this source is further

reinforced by The New York Times' impeccable reputation for upholding strict journalistic

standards and credibility, with the article authored by multiple journalists, including Constant

Méheut. The New York Times is renowned for its dedication to fact-checking and reliability, and

it maintains the highest standards of precision and dependability, particularly in reporting

significant events like mass shootings. The source's primary objective is to provide the public

with accurate, factual, and timely information about these consecutive mass shootings in Serbia

and the proposed changes to gun regulations in their aftermath. In summary, this source,

characterized by its currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and clear purpose, serves as a

valuable and trustworthy resource for those seeking a thorough understanding of these tragic

incidents and their implications.

The article reports a tragic mass shooting in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 3, 2023. A

13-year-old student attacked Vladislav Ribnikar's primary school, killing eight children and
injuring several others, causing shock in a country with limited school violence. The article

discusses the immediate response to the tragedy, the government's approval of measures to

regulate guns better, and the mourning and questions surrounding the young perpetrator. It

highlights the need for a better understanding of the motives and influences behind such an event

and addresses the broader issue of gun ownership and its regulation in Serbia. Published in May

2023, this source is remarkably current, directly addressing the recent school shooting in

Belgrade, Serbia, and providing the most up-to-date information available, making it a primary

reference for grasping the event's immediate aftermath. It holds high relevance to the research

topic by offering real-time insights into the school shooting and its consequences, including

public and official reactions, thereby enriching the study with a comprehensive event account.

The New York Times, as the source, enjoys a global reputation for its stringent journalistic

standards and credibility, reinforced by its rigorous fact-checking processes. Its extensive reach

and esteemed status further contribute to its trustworthiness. While maintaining the highest

expectations of accuracy and reliability, the article is inherently a news report, acknowledging

that minor errors may occasionally arise but are promptly addressed. Its primary purpose is to

deliver accurate, factual, and timely information to the public regarding the Belgrade school

shooting and to provide a detailed and comprehensive narrative of the event, encapsulating its

immediate aftermath.

This article, written by Bojana Pejuskovic and Dusica Lecic-Tosevski, discusses

the school shooting that occurred in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 3, 2023. The authors explore this

collective trauma's psychological and mental impact on the affected society and public mental

health while also considering the possible causes of the event and its consequences, including the

need for general mental health management and challenges. More specifically, this study was
published in World Social Psychiatry in 2023, making it very current and relevant to my research

as it directly connects to Serbia’s most recent school shooting. The source is also highly relevant

to my research topic, as it directly addresses the school shooting in Serbia and its impact on

public mental health and provides insights into this event's unique and unprecedented nature. The

authors are affiliated with reputable institutions, which include the Institute of Mental Health at

the University of Belgrade and the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. It indicates their

mental health and collective trauma expertise, adding credibility to the source. While the article

does not present statistical data or specific facts, it offers more of an analytical and theoretical

discussion based on the authors' professional knowledge and experience and accurately

references the school shooting and its aftermath. Lastly, the purpose of the source is to discuss

the collective trauma caused by the school shooting in Serbia and its challenges to public mental

health, providing an analytical perspective on the event and its implications.

This article delves into the correlation between the regulation of firearms and

gender-related violence within Serbia. It explains the widespread ownership of firearms and

ammunition among Serbian citizens. It mainly focuses on the early 2000s and how this

ownership is linked to domestic violence incidents, primarily involving women. It includes the

introduction of the Law on Weapons and Ammunition in 2015, ratifying the Istanbul Convention

in 2013, and the implementation of the Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence in 2016. In

addition, the article questions whether the existing legal framework effectively protects victims

of violence from firearm misuse, and its findings suggest the need for improved coherence in the

legislative response to the risks associated with firearms in family contexts and stronger

connections between firearm control laws and laws addressing domestic violence. Regarding

currency, the source mentions legislative changes in Serbia as recently as 2016, indicating the
content is relatively current. It is also highly relevant to the research on the connection between

firearms control and gender-based violence in Serbia, addressing the possession of firearms,

domestic violence, and the legal framework. Moreover, it is based on data and legal frameworks,

providing accurate information based on available resources. Lastly, the purpose of the source is

to examine the relationship between firearms control, domestic violence, and the legal

framework in Serbia, and it aims to identify gaps and issues in the existing legislative response to

these concerns.

Conclusion

Overall, my research underscored the significance of comprehending not just the

statistical and legal dimensions but also the psychological and collective trauma resulting from

such incidents. Further, these resources emphasize the pressing need to confront the intricate

issues facing Serbia. These challenges range from the collective trauma stemming from school

shootings to the imperative for improved firearms control and the influence of historical

narratives on the country's sense of identity. All in all, policymakers, academics, and the public

must understand the intricate links between public mental health, violence, and historical

interpretation to develop solutions for a safer Serbia.