Month-long amnesty calls on owners to hand in now-illegal firearms

Firearms owners are being urged to check if their previously lawful weapon is one of five now classified as illegal – and to hand them in safely during a month-long amnesty.

Police forces across England and Wales will be holding a four-week firearms amnesty (February 2-27) for five models of side or top-venting (TVBFs) weapons manufactured by Bruni.

The following five imitation firearms can be handed in to local police station without fear of prosecution, after tests by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and policing showed they are readily convertible and are therefore illegal to possess:

• 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

The amnesty period is designed to enable those who purchased one of the models legally for their intended use to dispose of them safely. It also prevents potentially lethal weapons falling into the hands of criminals who may seek to convert them and pose a risk to the public.

Possession of one of the guns after the amnesty ends could result in a prison sentence of 10 years.

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 a lethal purpose firearm.

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.

During the amnesty period, those handing in one of the listed Bruni-manufactured TVBFs will not face prosecution for the illegal possession and will not have to give their details. However, the history of any live firearms handed in will be checked for evidence if its use in crime.

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

“Blank firer weapons are legal to buy in the UK as they are designed to discharge only blank cartridges, however policing and our partners are constantly working to ensure firearms don’t fall into the wrong hands or pose a risk to the public.

“When we identify that any models can be easily converted to a functioning firearm, it is crucial that we do all we can to remove those models from sale and circulation.

“We work closely with the National Crime Agency to identify and disrupt workshops being set up by criminals to convert blank firers in to potentially lethal weapons, and this four-week amnesty will support those efforts.

“Anyone who is in possession of a top or side-venting firearm which has been manufactured by Bruni is urged to check the model to see if it is one which is now illegal to possess, and if so, safely surrender it at their nearest police station.”

Side and top-venting blank firers can be handed in at designated police stations across England and Wales. 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.