Crete tourist guide

An attempt to solve the illegal weapons problem in Greece

2025-12-03 20:27:24

Crete, famously associated with idyllic tranquility and ancient palaces, has struggled for years with the illegal possession and use of firearms. However, the problem is by no means confined to this island. The latest data, along with the recent spectacular shooting in Vorizia, Crete, has forced the Greek government to take radical action. What is the scale of the problem, and will the proposed changes be able to put an end to the island's endemic tradition of "shooting without restraint"?

Shocking statistics

New research from the international Small Arms Survey shows that there are nearly 1,920,000 firearms in Greece, of which 1,010,000 are unreported . This means that more than half of the weapons in circulation are unregulated.

The majority of these illegal weapons are primarily hunting rifles . In 2025, Greek authorities recorded an average of 62 weapons-related violations per day , amounting to nearly 23,000 violations per year. This problem affects the entire country, and Crete, along with Athens and Thessaloniki, is one of the three main arms trafficking centers in Greece.

So far this year, a total of 2,445 weapons-related violations have been recorded on the island, with the vast majority occurring in the west and centre of the island:

• Heraklion: 1,138 violations
• Chania: 988 violations
• Rethymno: 160 violations
• Lasithi: 146 violations

The Heraklion region alone is a notorious leader – 638 illegal hunting weapons were confiscated there last year, an average of two seizures per day . Not bad for an "idyllic" island, right?

Purchasing Logistics and Endemic Threats

The mechanisms for purchasing illegal weapons are surprisingly modern. Orders are typically placed via the dark web or on Tor browser websites, and the weapons are then shipped to designated mailboxes. Prices range from €180 to €10,000 .

According to police reports, sample prices of weapons on the black market are as follows:

• 9 gauge pistol (e.g. Glock): around 1000 euros .
• Kalashnikov or other submachine guns: up to 3,000 euros .

Weapons mainly come to Greece from the Balkan countries of Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, and Bulgaria . Recent reports also indicate smuggling from war-torn Ukraine . The illegal trade also includes weapons manufactured using 3D printers and modified gas weapons imported from Turkey.

Greek authorities intend to target these routes by intensifying controls at Crete's ports . Particular attention has been paid to ports in the south of the island (where shipments from the Middle East arrive) and to the ports of Heraklion and Chania, through which ferry passengers from the Balkan countries transport weapons. Illegal weapons are often unloaded by gang members on Crete's beaches and then transported to small warehouses in villages in the Rethymno and Heraklion regions.

Draconian punishments of Minister Chrysochoidis

In response to the scale of the problem, Greek authorities are seeking to tighten penalties to curb the uncontrolled use of firearms and end the illegal trade. The planned changes include harsh penalties, with prison terms of up to 10 years and fines of up to €500,000 . This is a key step in punishing acts that, until now, often have no consequences or even been reported by the police.

1. Possession of weapons at public and private gatherings:
• The penalty provided is imprisonment for up to eight years and a fine of 20,000 to 100,000 euros for anyone who possesses or carries a firearm or knife at private social or religious events, at fairs and in judicial institutions.
  
  
2. Illegal possession of a handgun:
• A person who illegally possesses, carries or transports firearms (pistols, revolvers) is liable to imprisonment and a fine of 30,000 to 150,000 euros .
  
  
3. Recidivism and obligations of organizers:
• For repeat offenders in cases involving the use of weapons, long prison sentences and fines reaching hundreds of thousands of euros are foreseen.
  
  
• The new law also imposes obligations on event organizers. If any violations of the law or shootings are detected during these events , those responsible for organizing them will be required to report them to the police.

The new, tougher law is a clear signal from the government that the era of unpunished "shooting without limits" is coming to an end. But will it? It's important to remember that in small societies, people prefer to remain silent when their neighbors break the law.

Gosia,  2025-12-03 20:27:24

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