Nottinghamshire Police reveal more than 40 blank firing guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition handed over at Newark, Radford, Beeston, Oxclose Lane, and Mansfield police stations during firearms amnesty
More than 40 blank firing guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition have been handed over in Nottinghamshire during a national amnesty.
Forces across the country have taken part in a four-week campaign aimed at taking certain models of top venting blank firers (TVBFs) out of harm’s way.
Top-venting blank firers are legal to buy in the UK for people over the age of 18 and, in their original state, are designed to discharge only blank cartridges, while they are painted in bright colours to distinguish them as non-viable firearms.
But tests by the National Crime Agency (NCA) indicated four specific types of Turkish-manufactured TVBFs could potentially be converted into viable handguns, and a change in the law at the start of February made it illegal to buy or own one of these firearms in the UK.
The amnesty allowed people to hand them in to police front counters during February without fear of reprisal, and a total of 42 blank firers and more than 500 rounds of blank and live ammunition were turned in at police stations including Newark, Radford, Beeston, Oxclose Lane, and Mansfield.
Nobody had to leave their details when surrendering their TVBF, however the history of any live firearms handed in was checked to see if there was any evidence of it being used in a crime.
Anyone found in possession of one faced the possibility of up to 10 years in jail.
Detective Superintendent Christopher Sullivan, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We are pleased by the results of this amnesty which have allowed us to take more than 40 potential weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition off the streets and out of harm’s way.
“This has prevented them getting into the wrong hands, being converted into viable firearms and being used by criminals.
“Gun crime in Nottinghamshire thankfully remains very rare and we have been proactive about taking these weapons off the streets.
“Together with our partners we continue to work hard to educate people about firearms and the dangers that come with them, to ensure that gun crime doesn’t become prevalent in the future.
“I’d like to thank the people who have helped us by handing over these blank firers during February’s amnesty.”
If you know of anyone involved in illegal firearms activity, you should report it immediately, either to the police on 101, or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
