More than 1,600 suspects investigated, over 2,200 illegal firearms seized in Türkiye

Türkiye’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced Thursday that nationwide “Mercek-27” operations led to the investigation of 1,664 suspects and the seizure of 2,274 firearms, including unlicensed pistols and modified blank-firing guns.

The operations, conducted across Türkiye‘s 81 provinces over the past week, aimed to curb illegal firearm possession and trafficking.

8️⃣1️⃣ ilde son 1️⃣ hafta içinde “Ruhsatsız Silah Taşıyanlara” ve “Silah Kaçakçılarına” yönelik düzenlenen “MERCEK-27” operasyonlarında;

📍1️⃣.1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ Ruhsatsız Tabanca,
📍5️⃣1️⃣6️⃣ Kurusıkıdan Çevrilmiş Tabanca,
📍2️⃣6️⃣ Uzun Namlulu Tüfek ve
📍6️⃣3️⃣2️⃣ Ruhsatsız Av Tüfeği olmak üzere… pic.twitter.com/oJGNcqobP2

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) November 7, 2024

Thousands of firearms seized across Türkiye

Yerlikaya stated that 2,274 illegal firearms were seized during the raids, which were carried out by provincial gendarmerie and police forces. Among the confiscated firearms were:

• 1,100 unlicensed pistols,
• 516 converted blank-firing guns
• 26 long-barreled rifles
• 632 unlicensed hunting rifles

Emphasis on preventative measures against illegal firearms

Yerlikaya emphasized the importance of prevention as a key component in combating unlicensed firearms, highlighting the role of collective effort. “Preventing crime before it occurs is essential,” he stated, urging collaboration among citizens, civil society, media, and local communities to reduce crime rates and improve public safety.

There is a very important point that I would like to underline: That is, “prevention.” In other words, preventing a crime before it occurs. For this reason, it is essential that we all fight together against “unlicensed weapons”, as we do against all crimes.

We must wage this struggle for the peace and security of our country together with every single individual of our nation, our civil society organizations, our media, our opinion leaders, our tradesmen, our teachers, our mothers and fathers, from 7 to 70.

The fight against unlicensed weapons is of great importance for both public safety and reducing crime rates.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya

Top 5 provinces for seizures

The interior minister also noted that Istanbul, Adana, Izmir, Antalya and Bursa led in the number of seized unlicensed firearms and suspects investigated.