Greece to tighten gun controls after Crete shootings

Athens: Greece on Friday announced gun control measures after two people died in a firefight between rival families on the island of Crete. Citizen...

Athens: Greece on Friday announced gun control measures after two people died in a firefight between rival families on the island of Crete.

Citizen's Protection Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis said illegal gun ownership would be upgraded from a misdemeanour to a crime, and gun licenses nationwide would be re-examined.

Two people died in a firefight Saturday in the mountain village of Vorizia, a 39-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman, one from each family.

The shootout erupted hours after a house under construction belonging to one family was blown up with dynamite.

Heavily armed police were rushed to the village. The citizen's protection ministry said over 200 additional officers would now be stationed on Crete permanently to tackle crimes including arms smuggling, cannabis cultivation and cattle raiding.