NBC reporter suggests that America should follow the example of foreigners surrendering their guns.

The Serbian government’s recent crackdown on guns led many of the country’s citizens to voluntarily hand in their weapons. This bold move has caught the attention of NBC News correspondent Richard Engel, who suggests that it should serve as an example for American gun policy.

Stricter Regulations and Voluntary Surrender

“All existing gun permits are under review,” Engel reported on NBC’s Today. “All sales of new guns of any type are banned for two years. Gun owners must submit to in-person psychological and background checks. And owning an illegal gun is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.”

The restrictions have prompted many Serbians to voluntarily turn in their guns to the government. The Serbian interior ministry aims to remove 90 percent of guns from the streets in the near future.

A Contrast in Approaches

In the United States, President Joe Biden has been advocating for expansive firearm regulations. He has expressed his determination to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, as well as work towards banning semiautomatic weapons, which account for half of all gun sales in the country.

Serbia’s decision to implement stricter gun laws came after two rare mass shootings that resulted in the deaths of at least 17 people. Engel highlights that the Serbian government’s response goes beyond offering condolences, challenging the notion that thoughts and prayers alone are sufficient in addressing gun violence.

A Different Perspective

During the report, Engel engages with a Serbian politician who criticizes the lack of action taken in the United States regarding mass shootings. The politician attributes this inaction to the influence of the powerful gun lobby and industry.

Existing Gun Laws in Serbia

NBC did not explore whether the new gun restrictions would have prevented the mass shootings in Serbia. It is worth noting that the country already has strict gun laws in place. Citizens are prohibited from owning guns unless they are over 18, pass repeated background checks, have no criminal record, and can demonstrate a legitimate need for the weapons, such as hunting, sport, or limited self-defense.

The first shooter, a 13-year-old boy, falls below Serbia’s age of criminal responsibility, while the second shooter, an adult man, used an automatic weapon. However, Serbia already bans automatic weapons in nearly all cases according to their 2015 gun law.