People in Cumbria can take advantage of an ongoing firearms amnesty.
The national four-week amnesty is specifically aimed at owners of certain Turkish-manufactured top-venting blank firers, known as TVBFs, which are now illegal to possess.
The firearms concerned are all top-venting or forward-venting models of the Turkish brands Retay, Ekol, Ceonic and Blow.
The amnesty began on February 3 and runs until the end of the month.
Chief Superintendent Carl Patrick said: “Anyone in possession of these makes of top-venting blank firer could be subject to prosecution and up to 10 years of imprisonment, so it is important that if there is anyone in Cumbria who has one of these weapons, they take this opportunity and come forward today.”
Tests by the National Crime Agency and policing, funded by the Home Office, showed that models produced by four Turkish manufacturers were readily convertible and therefore illegal.
TVBFs are legal to buy in the UK without a licence by over-18s unless they are readily convertible.
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, police said criminals may paint them black so they look like a real lethal weapon as well as convert them to a lethal purpose firearm.
Since 2021, UK law enforcement has recovered more than 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, Cumbria police added.
Firearms legislation has now changed – these weapons are illegal to own under the Firearms Act 1968 as they can be readily converted using common household tools and without specialist skill on the part of the person carrying out the conversion.
Recent testing completed by the NCA has demonstrated this.
The police are asking people to hand in any TVBFs before February 28 to help them avoid prosecution and prevent these pistols getting into the wrong hands.
The constabulary said: “Many TVBFs may be held in innocence and ignorance of their illegality, having been obtained originally when lawful and for a legitimate purpose.
“The amnesty gives holders the chance to dispose of the TVBFs safely by taking it to a local police station and handing it in.”
Stations to hand in blank-firing guns
North
- Carlisle, Durranhill
- Penrith, Hunter Lane
South
- Barrow Police Station
- Kendal Police Station
West
- Whitehaven Police Station
- Workington Police Station
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 a Turkish manufactured TVBF 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.
To receive advice on how best to transport the weapon responsibly from home to the police station phone 101 before travelling.
