Almost 600 firearms handed in during first half of amnesty

The national gun crime lead has thanked the public for their support for a firearms amnesty, as almost 600 blank firer weapons have been surrendered to date.

Police forces across England and Wales are supporting an amnesty for five models of side or top-venting blank firers (TVBFs) manufactured by Bruni, after tests by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and policing showed they are readily convertible and therefore illegal to possess.

The surrender period began on February 2 and runs until February 27, but in less than a fortnight, 590 of the targeted models were handed in. A further four have been seized by officers during searches.

In addition to the requested models, 310 other items and more than 3,400 rounds of ammunition have also been handed in to police.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for the Criminal Use of Firearms, said:

“The public response to this amnesty has been really pleasing and just demonstrates that people appreciate our determined efforts to keep communities safe.

“We know that the vast majority of people who have purchased the Bruni TVBFs subject to this amnesty did so in good faith and with no criminal intent, and that is evident by the fact so many have willingly handed them in once they realised they could easily be turned into lethal weapons.

“We simply cannot afford for such readily convertible weapons to be in circulation, as there is always the potential for them to fall into the wrong hands.

“I’m grateful to those who have responded to the amnesty to date, and to policing colleagues and partners who have worked hard to raise awareness of the change in classification and to make contact with retailers and potential owners.

“The amnesty will continue to run for another two weeks and I implore anyone who owns a blank firer – be that as a collectors’ item, a prop, or any other innocuous purpose – to check whether it is one of the models now classed as illegal. Anyone with one in their possession must hand it in to police during the amnesty period. Possession of one of the five listed models when the amnesty has ended could result in prosecution and imprisonment of up to 10 years.”

The five models subject to the amnesty period are:

• 8mm PAK Bruni BBM Model 92 blank firing self-loading pistol
• 8mm PAK Bruni BBM New Police blank firing self-loading pistol
• 8mm PAK Bruni BBM Model 96 blank firing self-loading pistol
• 8mm PAK Bruni BBM Model ‘GAP’ blank firing self-loading pistol
• .380R (9mmK) PAK Bruni BBM ME Ranger single-action blank firing revolver

TVBFs are legal to buy without a licence by anyone over 18 in the UK, unless they are readily convertible.

In their original state TVBFs have a fully blocked barrel and are designed to discharge only blank cartridges. When discharged, combustion gases vent from the top of the weapon. TVBFs are sold with at least 50% of their visible surface painted a bright colour however, criminals may paint them black so they look like an original lethal purpose weapon as well as convert them to lethal firearms.

Firearms legislation has not changed; the above Bruni models were legal to own until tests concluded they were readily-convertible using common household tools and without specialist skill. Under the Firearms Act, that means they are now classified as illegal to possess.

Anyone handing in a weapon is advised to check with their local force regarding station locations and opening times, and to receive advice on how best to transport the weapon responsibly from home to the police station.

Anyone with information regarding illegal firearms activity should contact police as a matter of urgency. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contact 100% anonymously via 0800 555 111. A single report could prove vital in solving serious crimes, removing illegally-held lethal weapons, or potentially saving a life.