National Amnesty for Convertible Blank Firing Guns: An Effort at Public Safety
Law enforcement authorities throughout the United Kingdom have announced a national amnesty campaign targeting specific models of blank-firing guns that can be easily modified to discharge live ammunition. This initiative aims to remove potentially dangerous weapons from circulation in response to alarming data indicating that criminal groups are increasingly obtaining these firearms for lethal intent.
The Specific Weapons
Four brands of Turkish-made top-venting blank firers (TVBFs) are specifically targeted under the amnesty: Retay, Ekol, Ceonic, and Blow. These models are distinct from traditional blank-firing weapons due to their ease of modification. Testing by the National Crime Agency (NCA) revealed that these guns can be turned into functioning firearms capable of firing live rounds using basic home tools without specialized technical skills.
Four brands of Turkish-made top-venting blank firers (TVBFs) are specifically targeted under the amnesty: Retay, Ekol, Ceonic, and Blow. These models are distinct from traditional blank-firing weapons due to their ease of modification. Testing by the National Crime Agency (NCA) revealed that these guns can be turned into functioning firearms capable of firing live rounds using basic home tools without specialized technical skills.
Criminal Exploitation
The NCA's research has uncovered a worrying pattern of organized crime groups exploiting these convertible blank firers. Since 2021, law enforcement agencies have seized nearly 800 modified TVBFs that had been converted to fire live ammunition. Disturbingly, these altered weapons have been linked to at least four murders in the past two years, underscoring the severe threat they pose.
PC Gareth King, national ballistics intelligence service coordinator within Lincolnshire Police, raised concerns about these weapons' movement through criminal networks. "These types of weapons routinely change hands and move around the country for criminal use," he noted, emphasizing how challenging it is for law enforcement to track them. He further highlighted the alarming ease with which these weapons can be converted into lethal firearms.
Legal Situation
The dual nature of these weapons complicates their legal status. In their original form, TVBFs are legally available for purchase in the UK without a firearms license for individuals over 18. They are intended for legitimate uses in theater, film production, sporting events requiring starter pistols, and various demonstration purposes.
However, the NCA's determination that these weapons are "readily convertible" shifts their classification. Under UK firearms law, any weapon that can be easily modified to fire live ammunition is treated as a regulated firearm. Once the amnesty concludes, possession of Retay, Ekol, Ceonic, orBlow TVBFs will become a serious criminal offense, punishable by up to ten years in prison.
The Amnesty Initiative
Recognizing the potential for law-abiding citizens to unknowingly possess these reclassified weapons, authorities have introduced a time-limited amnesty program. Running from February 3 to February 28, the initiative offers owners a four-week window to surrender these models at designated police stations without facing possession-related penalties.
Lincolnshire Police has taken a prominent role in promoting the amnesty by establishing multiple collection points across the county. Designated drop-off stations are located at:
- Boston
- Grantham
- Lincoln (South Park Avenue)
- Louth
- Skegness
- Sleaford
- Spalding
This structured approach allows for the safe collection and disposal of these potentially dangerous firearms while minimizing the risk of criminal charges for individuals who may have purchased them unknowingly.
The Wider Context
The amnesty for convertible blank firers is part of broader efforts to combat the illicit firearms market in the UK. Blank-firing guns have generally remained under the radar, making them attractive to criminals seeking to obtain firearms discreetly.
The ease with which these guns can be converted creates a pathway for weapons to flow into illegal markets from legitimate retail sources. Once altered, these guns become nearly identical in functionality to purpose-built firearms, making them extremely difficult to trace..
The four deaths linked to modified TVBFs in the past two years underscore the human cost of this regulatory loophole. Each incident not only highlights the tragic impact on families and communities but also illustrates a gap in firearms control that criminals have exploited.
Forward Implications
Authorities are working diligently to ensure the success of the February amnesty campaign. The first priority is public awareness, ensuring that owners of the designated TVBF models understand both the amnesty's terms and the severe legal consequences of non-compliance after the grace period.
The second challenge is the complete elimination of these weapons from circulation. While law-abiding individuals are expected to comply with the amnesty, weapons already in criminal possession are unlikely to be surrendered, necessitating ongoing enforcement efforts.
Finally, the broader issue of preventing future risks remains a concern. The case of convertible blank firers highlights the need for adaptable regulations that can respond to emerging threats as firearm manufacturing evolves.
The immediate goal is to remove as many potentially lethal weapons from circulation as possible before the amnesty window closes onFebruary 28 . After this deadline, possession of any of the four designated TVBF models will be considered a serious criminal offense, carrying significant penalties.
This strategy reflects law enforcement's attempt to provide a fair opportunity for compliance while reinforcing the UK's firm stance on gun control and public safety.
