Amnesty to prevent weapons being used by criminals
A month-long gun amnesty by Lincolnshire Police starts today.
The amnesty runs until February 27 and is for five types of BRUNI-manufactured top-venting blank firers (TVBFs) - after this date anyone in possession of one the specified guns faces up to 10 years behind bars
Top-venting blank firers are legal to buy in the UK without a licence by over 18s unless they are readily convertible. Tests by the National Crime Agency and policing have shown that the following BRUNI models are readily convertible and are therefore illegal:
- 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
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 per cent of their visible surface painted a bright colour. However, criminals may paint them black so they look like an original lethal purpose (OLP) weapon as well as convert them to a lethal purpose firearm.
More than 70 Bruni manufactured devices have been recovered following use in a variety of criminal offences and law enforcement data shows that at least five murders have occurred using a converted TVBF since 2023
“Many TVBFs may be held in innocence and ignorance of their illegality or may be overlooked or forgotten in people’s homes. The amnesty gives holders the chance to dispose of the TVBFs safely by taking them to a local police station and handing them in,” said a police spokesperson.
“Other unwanted, unlicensed firearms and ammunition may be surrendered to police at any time which will avoid the risk of them becoming involved in criminality and means that members of the community can dispose of firearms in a safe place.
“During the amnesty period, those handing in one of the five identified BRUNI TVBFs will not face prosecution for the illegal possession and they can remain anonymous
During a similar amnesty, 16 blank fire weapons were surrendered in Lincolnshire, 10 of which were illegal.
Detective Chief Inspector Michael Wilding of Lincolnshire Police, added: “Gun crime in Lincolnshire remains very rare but we are not complacent, which is why we are supporting the national BRUNI TVBF firearms amnesty, after tests have shown they can be readily converted into firearms, therefore making them illegal to possess.
“Surrendering these weapons now will help prevent them getting into the wrong hands in the future and being used by criminals, so we want as many top-venting blank firers as possible to be handed in.
“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.”
Top-venting blank firers can be handed in at any police station. Check here for your nearest Lincolnshire station and its opening times: https://www.lincs.police.uk/contact/find-a-police-station/
To ensure safety when transporting a TVBF, please:
- Place the item in a bag or box to keep it out of public sight.
- Make a specific journey solely for this purpose to minimise the time spent in public.
- Upon arrival, inform the staff at the front counter that you are there to hand in a firearm before presenting it to them.
For further advice on how best to transport the weapon responsibly from home to the police station phone 101 before travelling.
Picture: West Yorkshire Police
