Firearms owners are being urged to check whether their previously legal blank-firing weapon is now classed as illegal - and to hand it in safely during a month-long national amnesty.
Police forces across England and Wales will run a four-week firearms amnesty from 2 to 27 February 2026, targeting five models of side or top-venting blank firers manufactured by Bruni. The weapons have been reclassified as illegal after tests found they are readily convertible into functioning firearms.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) and police carried out tests on the weapons and concluded they could be converted using common household tools and without specialist skills, meaning they fall under existing firearms legislation as prohibited weapons.
The five imitation firearms covered by the amnesty are:
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
During the amnesty, the weapons can be surrendered at designated police stations without fear of prosecution, and owners will not be required to provide their details.
However, police warned that possession after the amnesty ends could result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
Side and top-venting blank firers (TVBFs) are generally legal in the UK for anyone over 18 to buy without a licence - unless they are readily convertible.
In their original form, TVBFs have a fully blocked barrel and are designed to discharge only blank cartridges, with combustion gases venting from the top of the weapon. They are also sold with at least 50% of their visible surface painted a bright colour to distinguish them from real firearms.
Police say criminals may paint them black to make them look like lethal weapons and may convert them into working firearms.
While firearms legislation has not changed, the five Bruni models were legal to own until tests determined they met the legal definition of readily convertible firearms under the Firearms Act, making them illegal to possess.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for the criminal use of firearms, said: “Blank firer weapons are legal to buy in the UK as they are designed to discharge only blank cartridges, however policing and our partners are constantly working to ensure firearms don’t fall into the wrong hands or pose a risk to the public.
“When we identify that any models can be easily converted to a functioning firearm, it is crucial that we do all we can to remove those models from sale and circulation.
“We work closely with the National Crime Agency to identify and disrupt workshops being set up by criminals to convert blank firers in to potentially lethal weapons, and this four-week amnesty will support those efforts.
“Anyone who is in possession of a top or side-venting firearm which has been manufactured by Bruni is urged to check the model to see if it is one which is now illegal to possess, and if so, safely surrender it at their nearest police station.”
Chief Inspector Rob Curtis of Devon & Cornwall Police said: “There will be members of the public who are in possession of this type of gun that may not be aware that they have been classified as illegal, hence the Firearms Amnesty, which will take place throughout February.
“We urge anyone who owns one of these to hand it in to their local police station. Gun crime in Devon & Cornwall is very low, but we remain proactive in keeping weapons off the streets. After 27 February, anyone found in possession of one of the listed guns may be prosecuted.
“Together with our partners we continually 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.”
How to surrender weapons
Police said side and top-venting blank firers can be handed in at designated police stations across England and Wales. Residents are advised to check with their local police force for participating station locations and opening times, and to seek guidance on how to transport the weapon responsibly.
Devon and Cornwall residents can check where to surrender their weapons via Devon & Cornwall Police.
Anyone with information about illegal firearms activity is urged to contact police immediately. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
