One of these specifically concerns the provision in the criminal code due to which the 13-year-old attacker will not be held criminally responsible for his actions. Vucic requested that the legislation be amended so that criminal responsibility starts at 12 years of age.

Kosta Kecmanović, the 7th grader who killed eight classmates and a security guard, was born on July 30, 2009, so he was not yet 14 years old. According to the Serbian Law on Juvenile Offenders and Criminal Protection of Minors, children under the age of 14 cannot be prosecuted. Instead, his parents, who have already been arrested, will face criminal charges.

“Right now, the boy is in a special place and will be placed in a special department of a psychiatric clinic,” Vucit was quoted as saying by the Archyde.com news agency.

Other measures proposed by the Serbian president concern how gun permits are issued, how those who have withheld them hold them, and criminal liability for those who teach minors and unauthorized persons to use weapons.

“I will grant myself the right to propose measures as president, except in the case of hunting weapons,” said Vucic.

Among the measures announced by Vucic are:

• the introduction of new legislation on the keeping and bearing of arms in the following which will introduce a moratorium for two years;
• verification of all gun licenses issued;
• controlling the operation mode of all firing ranges;
• controlling how the permit holders keep the weapons, whether the weapons and ammunition are properly protected from minors and other unauthorized persons;
• criminal liability for persons who allow minors and other unauthorized persons to possess firearms or who teach minors and other unauthorized persons to handle firearms;
• reducing the age limit for criminal liability of minors from 14 to 12 years, in accordance with international and European standards;
• tightening of sanctions for non-compliance with legal obligations towards media service providers – including internet, television, social networks;
• introducing mandatory six-month drug tests in high schools;
• the organization of special services and mobile teams for violence within the Social Assistance Centers to respond promptly to cases of violence;
• banning access to “dark net” and similar sites that contain advice on how to commit a crime, obtain drugs or weapons.

The student carried out the attack with a 9 mm pistol taken from his father’s apartment. On his way to school, he prepared four Molotov cocktails, according to Serbian police. When he arrived at the school, he took out his gun and shot the guard, then the student on duty, then went to the classroom where the history class was being held, where he shot the teacher, who is in serious condition, then started shooting at the students.

According to officials, the boy himself called the police to report that he had killed his classmates and said he had been planning the attack for a month. A list was found on him, on which he had written the names of the children he wanted to kill. The reason remains unknown.

In addition to the 51-year-old security guard, seven girls and one boy were killed in the school attack, a Serbian police spokesman told a news conference. Four other boys and two girls were injured. The victims are between 12 and 14 years old.