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First Draft- Writing Project 2

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation

Course Name and Number

Instructor’s Name

Date
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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.

Engelbrecht, Cora. "A Look at Gun Violence in a Nation Awash with Weapons." New York

Times, 6 May 2023, p. A8(L). Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints,

link.gale.com/apps/doc/ A748218380/OVIC?u=asuniv&sid=bookmark-

OVIC&xid=b0dae7fb.

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. The

article is current, as it was published on May 5, 2023, offering the latest information on gun-
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related matters in Serbia. The article discusses the recent mass shootings in Serbia, emphasizing

the need for gun control measures. The New York Times is a reputable and internationally

recognized news organization. It upholds rigorous journalistic standards, enhancing the

credibility of the information presented. The article is authored by Cora Engelbrecht,

contributing to its authority. While it's a news article, The New York Times is known for

maintaining high accuracy and reliability. Journalists adhere to strict codes of ethics and

standards, mainly when covering significant events. Minor errors are typically corrected

promptly. The primary goal of this source is to educate the public about the challenges related to

gun ownership and gun control in Serbia, with a specific focus on the recent spate of mass

shootings. The news report aims to provide precise and thorough information on this matter.

Jovanovic, Rodoljub, and Angela Bermudez. “The Next Generation: Nationalism and Violence

in the Narratives of Serbian Students on the Break-up of Yugoslavia.” Studies in

Ethnicity & Nationalism, vol. 21, no. 1, Apr. 2021, pp. 2-25. EBSCOhost Academic

Search Ultimate, doi: 10.1111/sena.12339

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
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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.

Méheut, Constant, et al. "2 Days, 17 Dead, 21 Wounded: Back-to-Back Massacres Rock

Serbia." New York Times, May 05, 2023. ProQuest, login.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/login?

url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/2-days-17-dead-21-wounded-back-massacres-

rock/docview/2809945659/se-2?accountid=4485.

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. This

source is highly current, being published in May 2023 and provides information about a recent

event just a day before publication and offers up-to-date insights into the back-to-back mass

shootings in Serbia. The source is highly relevant to the research topic, as it provides a detailed

account of the consecutive mass shootings and offers a comprehensive view of the events,

making it a valuable resource for studying these tragic incidents. The New York Times is a

globally renowned and respected news outlet with a strong reputation for upholding strict
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journalistic standards and credibility. Their dedication to fact-checking further reinforces the

authority of the information they provide. Additionally, the article is written by multiple

journalists, including Constant Méheut, which adds to its overall credibility. The widespread

recognition and esteem associated with The New York Times enhance the reliability of this

source. The source’s primary objective is to furnish the public with precise, factual, and timely

information. The primary purpose of this source is to provide the public with information

regarding the consecutive mass shootings in Serbia and the suggested alterations to gun

regulations in the wake of these events.

Méheut, Constant, and Vladimir Zivojinovic. "Belgrade Is Consumed with Grief for 9 Dead in a

School Shooting." New York Times, 5 May 2023, p. A7(L). Gale In Context: Opposing

Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A748073164/OVIC?u=asuniv&sid=bookmark-

OVIC&xid=042c7798.

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
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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.

Pejuskovic, Bojana, and Dusica Lecic-Tosevski. “School Shooting in Serbia- A Huge Collective

Trauma and Challenge for Public Mental Health.” World Social Psychiatry, vol. 5, no. 2,

May 2023, pp. 179-182. EBSCOhost,

http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=asn&AN=171380023&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

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
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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.

Spasić, Danijela. “Firearms Control and Gender-Based Violence: The Missing Link?”

TEME: Casopis Za Drustvene Nauke, vol. 44, no. 4, Oct. 2020, pp. 1515-32. EBSCOhost

Academic Search Ultimate, doi: 10.22190/TEME190430089S

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
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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.