Call to surrender blank firing guns during month-long amnesty

Essex Police is supporting a four‑week amnesty to remove specific types of blank‑firing guns from circulation.

The amnesty runs from 2 February to 27 February.

After this period, anyone found in possession of one of five Bruni‑manufactured top‑venting blank firers (TVBFs) could face prosecution and a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Top‑venting blank firers can be legally purchased in the UK by over‑18s without a licence unless they are considered readily convertible.

Tests carried out by the National Crime Agency and policing have confirmed that the following Bruni models are readily convertible into viable firearms and are therefore illegal to possess:

• 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

Many TVBFs may be kept unknowingly or forgotten in people’s homes.

If you possess one of these blank firers and surrender it during the amnesty, you will not be prosecuted and you will not be required to provide personal details if you prefer not to.

This is an opportunity to dispose of these weapons safely and without criminal consequences.

The amnesty allows holders in Essex to hand in TVBFs at any of the following police station front counters:

• Grays, Brooke Road, RM17 5BX
• Southend, Victoria Ave, SS2 6ES
• Chelmsford, New Street, CM1 1NF
• Colchester, Southway, CO3 3BU

Other unwanted or unlicensed firearms and ammunition can be surrendered to us at any time under our usual procedure.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Davies said:

“Thankfully, gun crime in Essex remains very rare, but we are never complacent. That is why we will always support initiatives to remove these blank firers from circulation.
“Tests have shown they can be readily converted into viable firearms, making them dangerous and illegal to possess.
“Surrendering these guns now will help prevent them from falling into the wrong hands, so we want as many top‑venting blank firers as possible to be handed in.
“Alongside our partners, we continually work to educate people about firearms and the risks they pose, ensuring gun crime does not become an issue in the future.
“If you have a weapon you should not own, you are acting responsibly by choosing to hand it in. It is only if you choose to keep it that you risk prosecution.
“Your cooperation helps prevent these weapons being used by criminals and ensures they are disposed of safely.”

When transporting your TVBF to a police front counter:

• Carry it in a bag or box out of public sight.
• Make a specific journey solely for the purpose of handing it in, so you are not carrying the item in public longer than necessary.
• Upon arrival, please make clear to the enquiry officer you are there to hand in a firearm before presenting it to them. They will be aware of the correct procedure for accepting the gun. 

For advice on how to stay safe and protect your home, yourself, your business and your vehicles from crime, please visit our crime prevention pages.

You can also find out more general information about crime, the law and staying safe on our advice and information pages.