Wiltshire Police joining amnesty of so-called Turkish Blanks
The guns will be banned from the end of this month
Police in Wiltshire are taking part in a nationwide amnesty, ahead of new laws banning blank firing guns, that can easily be converted into dangerous weapons.
Turkish manufactured top-venting blank firers (TVBFs) will be illegal to possess from February 28th.
They've been found to have been involved in four murders across the UK in the last two years.
Anyone in possession of a TVBF, from the Retay, Ekol, Ceonic and Blow brands, could be subject to prosecution and up to 10 years imprisonment.
The weapons can now be handed in safely at police stations in Wiltshire including Salisbury's Bourne Hill, Monkton Park in Chippenham, Melksham on Hampton Park West and at Polebarn Road in Trowbridge.
You will be asked for your details, but you are not required to provide them, and you can remain anonymous.
Superintendent Conway Duncan of Wiltshire Police said: “While Wiltshire has one of the lowest number of firearms offences per person in the country, we cannot be complacent about it, which is why we are fully supportive of this initiative.
“Many TVBFs may be held in innocence and ignorance of their illegality or may be overlooked or forgotten in people’s homes. This amnesty gives holders the chance to dispose of their TVBFs safely by taking it to a local police station and handing it in.
“By taking part in this amnesty, TVBF owners are ensuring that these weapons do not fall into the wrong hands.
“I would encourage anyone who thinks they may have one of these firearms to check their homes and get them ready for disposal.
“You can continue to hand in any other unwanted, unlicensed firearms and ammunition at any time, avoiding the risk of them becoming involved in criminality and ensuring they are safely disposed of.”
To ensure safety when transporting your TVBF, please:
• Place the item in a bag or box to keep it out of public sight.
• Make a specific journey solely for this purpose to minimise the time spent in public.
• Upon arrival, inform the staff at the front counter that you are there to hand in a firearm before presenting it to them.