Blank firing guns are imitation firearms which are commonly and innocently used for a number of reasons, including as props in film and theatre productions and as starter pistols to signal the beginning of races.
However, criminals are converting blank-firing weapons such as top/side-venting firearms, to fire live or modified ammunition and this month, South Wales Police is supporting a national four-week amnesty coordinated by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS) and the National Crime Agency (NCA).
The amnesty will run from Monday, February 2, to Friday, February 27 and its purpose is to remove top/side-venting blank firearms (TVBF) to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands and being converted for criminal use.
These firearms are manufactured in Italy by BRUNI and have been classified as readily convertible firearms and are therefore now illegal to own.
The affected models are:
- 8mm Model 92 blank firing self-loading pistol
- 8mm New Police blank firing self-loading pistol
- 8mm Model 96 blank firing self-loading pistol
- 8mm Model ‘GAP’ blank firing self-loading pistol
- .380R (9mmK) ME Ranger single action blank firing revolver
Throughout the next four weeks, South Wales Police is urging people across local communities to hand over any weapons at a local police station.
Detective Inspector Mark Saunders, gun crime lead at South Wales Police, said:
“It’s vitally important that we engage with our communities through this amnesty to take these blank firing firearms off our streets.
“The affected models recognised by NABIS can be converted which can of course lead to fatal consequences if they fall into the hands of those who wish to repurpose them for criminal use.
“We fully understand that these blank firing firearms may be innocently held by people with no awareness of their illegality, which is why we are partaking in this amnesty and giving people across our communities the chance to hand them into us without penalty.
“I’d urge anyone in possession of any of models affected to do the right thing and take this opportunity being afforded to them. By handing their firearms in at the front counters of those designated police stations, they’ll be helping us to keep our communities safe.”
While firearms and other weapons can be handed in to police at any time, surrender months such as this aim to raise awareness of gun crime and also the part the public can play in helping to keep South Wales safe.
The firearms amnesty will run from February 2 to 27 and anyone in possession of a top-venting blank firearm is urged to attend one of the following stations to hand it in:
- Swansea Central
- Neath
- Cardiff Bay
- Barry
- Bridgend
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Pontypridd
