Amnesty begins on Turkish top-venting blank-firing guns 

An amnesty on top-venting blank-firing (TVBF) guns is running through February following a spike in guns being converted to fire live ammunition. 

In 2024 the National Crime Agency (NCA) found that a number of Turkish TBVFs were being converted for use in criminal activity. However, TVBFs are legal to buy in the UK without a licence by over-18s unless they are deemed readily convertible. Many blank-firing guns, such as dummy launchers used by gundog trainers, are not readily convertible so are still legal. 

Four types of TVBF were found to be readily convertible so their possession has been deemed unlawful under the Firearms Act 1982. The types identified as readily convertible are: Ekol, Retay, Ceonic ISSC and Blow. If you live in England or Wales and possess one of these types of TVBF, you should surrender it under the upcoming amnesty at a suitable police station. 

BASC’s head of firearms Martin Parker said: “Should you be unsure as to the type of TVBF you possess and you are a member of BASC, our firearms team may be able to help. The more detail you can provide, including photographs, the easier it will be to identify the manufacturer and type.” 

The amnesty will run until 28 February.