2 minute read
A spokesperson for the Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs has denied claims about increased gun violence and homicides in the country.
Narek Sargsyan, the spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, told reporters at a press briefing on Saturday that gun violence and homicides have actually decreased, according to data.
“I would like to say that during the first eight months of this year, the number of homicides has decreased by two compared to the same period last year. Gun-related crimes in general have decreased,” he said.
Sargsyan dismissed reports of frequent shootings in the country as “unfounded claims,” emphasizing that most of these reports do not differentiate between actual gunfire and shots fired from BB guns, which also make headlines.
“Most of those shootings in question are related to hooliganism and mostly involve shots fired from air guns or shots fired in the air [celebratory gunfire]. To present this as an out-of-control situation is an unfounded claim,” he said.
He added that the police have seized nearly twice as many illegal firearms and ammunition during the reporting period compared to last year.