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Blank-firing guns handed in during police amnesty

Dan Martin
BBC News, East Midlands
Derbyshire Police A black, automatic pistol, an ammunition magazine and a barrel cleaning brush in a foam caseDerbyshire Police
Police said the guns could be readily converted into lethal weapons

A number of blank-firing guns have been handed in to Derbyshire Police during an amnesty this month.

The force said it had accepted 13 so-called top-venting blank firing (TVBF) weapons at police stations since 3 February as part of a national initiative.

Officers said the blank-firing guns will cease to be legal to own after 28 February.

TVBF firearms are popular with organised criminals because they can be readily converted into lethal guns, the force said.

Derbyshire Police A black and blue automatic pistol, an ammunition magazine and a barrel cleaning brush in a boxDerbyshire Police
The current amnesty began on 3 February

The amnesty applies to the weapons made by Turkish manufacturers with the brand names Retay, Ekol, Ceonic and Blow.

However, Derbyshire Police said it urged anyone who is unsure whether the changing law applies to them to hand in their gun.

The force said TVBF weapons could be handed in at Pear Tree and St Mary's Wharf police stations and Derby and at Chesterfield and Buxton police stations.

Derbyshire Police A revolver-style pistol with a blue barrel and tags tied to its trigger guard and hammerDerbyshire Police
Police said the guns are sold with blocked barrels but can be converted to make them lethal

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