Amnesty for blank-firing guns which can earn holders 10 years in prison

Thames Valley Police is holding a firearms amnesty for a series of newly illegal imitation firearms – possession of which will soon be imprisonable for up to 10 years.

Five Bruni manufactured top/side venting blank firing pistols (TVBFs) are now illegal to possess, due to new findings from the National Crime Agency (NCA).

These imitation firearms were made by the Italian company Bruni, called TVBFs because combustion gases escape through vents on the top or side of the gun rather than a forward barrel.

In their original design they have a blocked barrel and are supposed to fire only blank cartridges – the kind used for noise, props or training.

In that state, they were legal for adults to buy in the UK without a licence.

However, recent testing has shown that five specific Bruni models are 'readily convertible' into a weapon capable of firing live ammunition – ie, able to be altered using common household tools and without specialist skills.

That officially makes them firearms under UK law, and thus illegal to possess.

The Home Office decided to make those specific blank-firing pistols illegal in September last year:

• 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

TVBFs are sold with at least 50 per cent of their visible surface painted a bright colour. However, criminals may paint them black, so they look like lethal guns.

More than 70 Bruni manufactured devices have been recovered following use in a variety of criminal offences.

Law enforcement data shows that at least five homicides have occurred using a converted TVBF since 2023.

Many TVBFs may be held in innocence, with their owners ignorant of their illegality, or they may be overlooked or forgotten in people’s homes.

The amnesty gives holders the chance to dispose of the TVBFs safely by taking them to a local police station and handing them in. 

It began on February 7 and will go on until February 27.

Like knife amnesties, it will give people the opportunity to hand in these items anonymously and without fear of prosecution.

After this date, anyone found in possession of one of the five Bruni models could face up to 10 years in prison.

Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Kirby, Head of Crime and Intelligence, said: “Whilst gun crime in the Thames Valley remains very rare, we are not complacent.

"We believe that every firearm removed from circulation is one less opportunity for it to fall into criminal hands.”

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

“[These imitation firearms] are very appealing to criminals and offenders who convert them, as they can generate large profits. 

“There continues to be a strong demand for such weapons, evidenced by the numbers imported and subsequent recovery from criminals, and we will be relentless in our pursuit of those posing such a risk to our communities.”

Side or top-venting blank firers can be handed in at any police station. Anyone unsure about how to transport the item safely should call 101 for advice.

Thames Valley Police front counters taking part in the surrender include the Slough one in Windsor Road and the Maidenhead one in Bridge Road.

Other unwanted, unlicensed firearms and ammunition may be surrendered to police at any time – however, the history of any live firearms will be checked for evidence if its use in crime.

If you know of people involved in illegal firearms activity, call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.  Every call to Crimestoppers is anonymous.