Leicestershire and Rutland Police are taking part in month-long gun amnesty
It's after concerns that people are able to build lethal weapons in their front rooms in a matter of minutes
People across Peterborough, Stamford and Rutland are being urged to hand in Turkish manufactured Top Venting Blank Firers (TVBFs) as part of a national amnesty.
Police are growing increasingly worried about "Turkish-blanks", which can be converted into viable pistols with just a few basic tools.
The weapons been used in four murders in the UK in the last two years.
UK law enforcement have recovered more than 800 of the guns in criminal circumstances
Detective Inspector James White with Leicestershire and Rutland police said:
"The Turkish models have recently been tested and shown to be readily convertible."
"That means no particular specialist skills or knowledge are required to turn it into what could be a viable firearm and could cause harm to people."
"Nationally since 2021 UK law enforcement have recovered more than 800 of the guns in criminal circumstances."
"It is a concern that these might become more readily available to people."
"Therefore there's been work at a national level to stop the import and Leicestershire police are playing their part in an amnesty to try and take as many weapons off the street as possible."
It is a concern that these might become more readily available to people
The amnesty will take place between 3 to 28 February 2025, after which anyone in possession of a TVBF could be subject to prosecution and up to 10 years imprisonment.
TVBFs are sold with at least 50% of their visible surface painted a bright colour, however criminals may paint them black so they look like an original lethal purpose weapon, as well as convert them to a lethal purpose firearm.
The police are asking people to hand in any TVBFs before 28 February and to avoid prosecution and prevent these pistols getting into the wrong hands. Many TVBFs may be held in innocence and ignorance of their illegality or may be overlooked or forgotten in people’s homes.
The amnesty gives holders the chance to dispose of the TVBFs safely by taking it to a local police station and handing it in.