The gun culture in Turkey remains a threat to safety with stray bullets claiming innocent lives despite warnings and fines. Four people were killed and dozens wounded in 448 separate incidents all across Turkey in the first eight months of 2018. All of them were victims of celebratory gunfire during weddings or similar events.
Though police have caught the culprits in the fatal incident, perpetrators in only a small fraction of cases involving injuries could be found. Turkish National Police head Celal Uzunkaya recently sent a memorandum to local branches of police to step up measures against celebratory gunfire.
Last year, nine people were killed by stray bullets, a 50 percent rise in casualties compared to 2016.
Guns are an inseparable part of daily life, especially in rural Turkey, though it is common to fire into the air during weddings all across Turkey. Personal armaments remains a major concern in Turkey where access to unlicensed guns has risen thanks to a growth in the number of websites selling guns online. Gun ownership is subject to strict regulations in the country and security forces constantly monitor websites selling illegal guns. Guns bought online came under the spotlight after a string of murders this year and last year.
