Police call for 'blank-firing' guns to be handed in

Amnesty for firearms that are now illegal

Devon and Cornwall Police have declared a four-week amnesty for people to hand in a specific type of weapon, which have become illegal following a change in classification.

Being in possession of certain models of Turkish top-venting blank firing (TVBF) gun can now lead to up to 10 years in prison.

But they can now be taken to any police station in the two counties until the end of this month, without fear of prosecution.

Imports into the UK of this type of gun stopped in August after it was found some models could be convertible to use live ammunition, making then potentially lethal.

The following ranges were found to fall into the ‘readily convertible’ category:  Retay, Ekol, Ceonic ISSC and Blow.  These are now banned.

Chief inspector Alexander Cooper, said: “Gun crime in Devon & Cornwall is very low, but we remain proactive in keeping weapons off the streets. Members of the public in possession of this type of gun may not be aware that they are banned, hence the Firearms Amnesty, which will take place during February. 

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

“By seeking to remove this type of gun from our streets, we aim to continue to keep the public of Devon & Cornwall safe. 

Later in the year there will be a National Firearms Surrender where all firearms and ammunitions can be surrendered at local police stations.