People in Staffordshire urged to hand in blank-firing firearms in national amnesty
Staffordshire Police have urged the public to hand in their guns during the national firearms amnesty.
The force is asking owners of four types of top-venting blank-firing firearms (TVBF) to surrender their firearms after tests revealed they are illegal.
The appeal comes as part of the national firearms amnesty, which will be held from tomorrow (Monday) to February 27 with owners able to hand their firearms into Cannock, Burton and Longton Police stations.
The models 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
The amnesty means those in ownership of the top-venting blank firers will not face prosecution for illegal possession, and can remain anonymous when submitting the firearms.
Possession of the firearms after the amnesty ends may result in criminal prosecution.
Last year, 66 Turkish top-venting blank firers, 20 other firearms and ammunition were handed into police stations during the four-week amnesty.
Superintendent Mat Derrick, head of operations at Staffordshire Police said: "This will remove potential future firearms from circulation, whilst allowing those who legally purchased them to hand them in without prosecution for a limited time.
“We are fully committed to robustly investigating anything believed to be linked to major and organised crime.
“This amnesty does not affect the firearms held by licenced firearms holders.”
TVBFs are legal to buy in the UK without a licence by over-18s unless they are readily convertible.
In their original state they have a blocked barrel and are designed to discharge only blank cartridges. When discharged, combustion gases vent from the top of the weapon.
The weapons will only be accepted at the three police stations and cannot be handed into Staffordshire Police headquarters in Stafford.
More information on handing the firearms in can be found on the Staffordshire Police website, or by calling 101
