Month-long amnesty targets now-illegal Bruni firearms

Firearms owners are being urged to check if their previously lawful weapon is one of five now classified as illegal – and to hand them in safely during a month-long amnesty.

Police forces across England and Wales will be holding a four-week firearms amnesty (February 2-27) for five models of side or top-venting (TVBFs) weapons manufactured by Bruni.

The following five imitation firearms can be handed in to local police station without fear of prosecution, after tests by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and policing showed they are readily convertible 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

The amnesty period is designed to enable those who purchased one of the models legally for their intended use to dispose of them safely. It also prevents potentially lethal weapons falling into the hands of criminals who may seek to convert them and pose a risk to the public.

Possession of one of the guns after the amnesty ends could result in a prison sentence of 10 years.

TVBFs are legal to buy without a licence by anyone over 18 in the UK, unless they are readily convertible. They’re often bought as collectors’ items or for use in bird-scaring or as theatrical props.

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% of their visible surface painted a bright colour however, criminals may paint them black so they look like an original lethal purpose weapon as well as convert them to a lethal purpose firearm.

Images show the subtle but potentially lethal differences between a standard TVBF and one which has been converted.

Firearms legislation has not changed; the above Bruni models were legal to own until tests concluded they were readily-convertible using common household tools and without specialist skill. Under the Firearms Act, that means they are now classified as illegal to possess.

During the amnesty period, those handing in one of the listed Bruni-manufactured TVBFs will not face prosecution for the illegal possession and will not have to give their details. However, the history of any live firearms handed in will be checked for evidence if its use in crime.

The focus on Bruni TVBFs follows a similar amnesty held last year, which called on the public to hand in Turkish TVBFs. With 3,500 Turkish models removed from circulation as a result, criminals quickly turned their attention to alternative models.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for the Criminal Use of Firearms, said:

“Blank firer weapons are legal to buy in the UK as they are designed to discharge only blank cartridges, however policing and our partners are constantly working to ensure firearms don’t fall into the wrong hands or pose a risk to the public.

“When we identify that any models can be easily converted to a functioning firearm, it is crucial that we do all we can to remove those models from sale and circulation.

“We work closely with the National Crime Agency to identify and disrupt workshops being set up by criminals to convert blank firers in to potentially lethal weapons, and this four-week amnesty will support those efforts.

“Following last year’s successful campaign which focused on Turkish TVBF models, it’s clear that criminals are turning their attention to other blank firer models which are also easily accessible, cheap to buy, convertible and profitable.

“We’re not currently seeing Bruni models converted at the same scale of Turkish models, but we are alive to the risk that these pose and are acting at the earliest opportunity to try and mitigate that demand.”

“Anyone who is in possession of a top or side-venting firearm which has been manufactured by Bruni is urged to check the model to see if it is one which is now illegal to possess, and if so, safely surrender it at their nearest police station.”

DCS Peter Henrick, head of the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS), added:

“Amnesties such as this are just one facet of the work being carried out daily by the criminal use of firearms portfolio and its partners to tackle gun crime.

“In order to run an amnesty such as this, we need to be able to demonstrate that a TVBF which is legal to own, is in fact readily convertible. As we saw more and more converted Turkish models removed from circulation, we began to recover certain Bruni models which had been converted. So, classifying them as illegal to possess and removing them from circulation is the next step.

“Undoubtedly as we close this window, criminals will look for another to exploit but we will continue to work together to disrupt criminal operations.”

NCA Deputy Director Kate Appleby, said:

“Firearms crime in the UK is among the lowest in the world and it’s vital we maintain that.

“We routinely work with industry partners to prevent any further access to these easily converted firearms.

“But this amnesty is the public’s chance to help us keep the UK safe from crime groups that try to acquire these guns.

“Protecting the public from the threat of firearms is a principal priority for the NCA and partners in policing and Border Force. That is why we are building on the success of the last amnesty by trying to reduce the threat even further from converted blank firers.”

Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones added:

"Public safety is our absolute priority, and we are taking decisive action to stop criminals getting hold of weapons that can be easily converted into lethal firearms.

“We urge anyone in possession of one of these firearms to do the right thing and surrender it at their local police station. Every weapon taken out of circulation reduces the risk to our communities and helps keep the public safe."

Side and top-venting blank firers can be handed in at designated police stations across England and Wales. Anyone handing in a weapon is advised to check with their local force regarding station locations and opening times, and to receive advice on how best to transport the weapon responsibly from home to the police station.

Anyone with information regarding illegal firearms activity should contact police as a matter of urgency. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contact 100% anonymously via 0800 555 111. A single report could prove vital in solving serious crimes, removing illegally-held lethal weapons, or potentially saving a life.