Firearms amnesty to take lethal convertible guns off streets

In February, a firearms amnesty is taking place for owners of illegal blank firing guns to give them to police. 

Across England and Wales, police forces are holding a firearms amnesty for Turkish made top-venting blank firers (TVBFs) from 3 to 28 February 2025. They can be handed into designated police stations. *
 
Since 2021, UK law enforcement has recovered over 800 of the guns in criminal circumstances and converted blank firers have been used in at least four homicides in the UK in the last two years. 

Give information 100% anonymously
 

After the amnesty, anyone found with an illegal TVBF in their possession, could be subject to prosecution and up to 10 years in prison.
 
If you know people involved in illegal firearms activity, contact our charity 100% anonymously via our safe and secure form or by calling 0800 555 111 at any time, or call the police on 101.
 
TVBFs are legal to buy in the UK without a licence for people over 18 unless they are readily convertible.
 
Tests carried out by the National Crime Agency and policing, funded by the Home Office, revealed that models produced by four Turkish manufacturers are readily convertible and therefore illegal. 
  
The specific Turkish firearms that are illegal are models with the brand names ‘Retay’, ‘Ekol’, ‘Ceonic ISSC’ and ‘Blow’, although anyone with a TVBF who is unsure if the law change applies to them, has been given the simple advice – if in doubt, hand it in.
 
They are illegal under section 1(6) of the Firearms Act 1982, meaning that they are prohibited firearms under section 5 (1) of the Firearms Act 1968.
  
During this amnesty, any other unwanted and unlicensed firearms and ammunition can be surrendered to police, to avoid them becoming involved in criminal activity. 
 
Anybody in possession of an illegal TVBF during the amnesty will not face prosecution, however the history of any live firearm handed in will be checked for evidence that it has been involved in criminal activity.
 
* TVBFs can be handed in at designated police stations across England and Wales. Anyone handing one in during the firearms amnesty is advised to check with their local force station locations and opening times for the amnesty. To get advice on how best to transport the weapon safely from home to the police station, phone 101 before travelling.

Find out more about what we do with your information.

 

3 February 2025