Firearms Amnesty Launched for Newly Illegal Blank Firing Weapons

Now Illegal Firearms: Owners Urged to Hand Them In This February

Firearms owners across England and Wales are being urged to check whether a weapon they legally bought in the past is now illegal, as a month long firearms amnesty is announced.

Police forces will run the four week amnesty from 2nd February to 27th February, focusing on five specific blank firing weapons made by Bruni that have now been classified as illegal.

Which firearms are affected?

The amnesty applies to five side or top venting blank firing weapons, known as TVBFs, manufactured by Bruni. These 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

Following testing by the National Crime Agency and policing partners, the weapons were found to be readily convertible using common household tools. Under the Firearms Act, this means they are now illegal to possess.

What the amnesty means for owners

The amnesty is designed to allow people who bought these weapons legally to dispose of them safely.

Anyone handing in one of the listed Bruni manufactured TVBFs during the amnesty will not face prosecution and will not be required to give their personal details. However, if a live firearm is handed in, its history will be checked for any link to criminal activity.

Possession of one of the listed weapons after the amnesty ends could result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Why the weapons are a concern

TVBFs are legal to buy without a licence by anyone over 18, provided they are not readily convertible. In their original state, they have a fully blocked barrel and are designed to discharge only blank cartridges, with gases venting from the top of the weapon.

Although sold with at least 50 percent of their visible surface painted a bright colour, criminals may repaint them black to resemble real firearms and convert them into potentially lethal weapons.

Firearms legislation itself has not changed. These Bruni models were legal to own until testing confirmed they could be easily converted without specialist skills.

Police warning to check now

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.”

Devon and Cornwall advice

Chief Inspector Rob Curtis of Devon & Cornwall Police said:

“There will be members of the public who are in possession of this type of gun that may not be aware that they have been classified as illegal, hence the Firearms Amnesty, which will take place throughout February.

“We urge anyone who owns one of these to hand it in to their local police station.

“Gun crime in Devon & Cornwall is very low, but we remain proactive in keeping weapons off the streets.

After 27 February 2025 anyone found in possession of one of the listed guns may be prosecuted.

“Together with our partners we continually work hard to educate people about firearms and the dangers that come with them, to ensure that gun crime doesn’t become prevalent in the future.”

How to hand in a weapon safely

Side and top venting blank firers can be handed in at designated police stations across England and Wales. Anyone planning to surrender a weapon is advised to contact their local force first for information on station locations, opening times and advice on how to transport the weapon safely.

Devon and Cornwall residents can check where to surrender their weapons via Devon & Cornwall Police.

Anyone with information about illegal firearms activity is urged to contact police urgently. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.