Bruni top or side venting blank firer amnesty 2026

From Monday 2 until Friday 27 February, a firearms amnesty in relation to five specific Bruni top or side venting blank firing guns is taking place across England and Wales. The amnesty is in place to remove as many of the five specific models (listed below) from circulation, due to them being easy to convert into firearms. 

The five models included as part of this 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  

If you are in possession of one of the above TVBFs, you must place the item in a bag or box to keep it out of public sight and take it to one of the below five Wiltshire Police enquiry offices before 27 February to avoid prosecution. Upon arrival at the front counter, you must inform staff that you are there to hand in a firearm before presenting it to them. 

Although you will be asked for your details, you do not have to provide them as you are able to remain anonymous as part of the amnesty. 

Enquiry office locations and opening hours: 

Top venting blank firers (TVBFs) are legal to buy in the UK without a licence by over 18s unless they are readily convertible.  

TVBFs may be referred to as:   

• Prop gun  

• Starter pistol  

• Blank gun  

• Non-firing replica  

• Non-lethal pistol  

Whilst they may have been purchased for their legal intended use, it is now illegal for someone to be in possession of any of the five Bruni models mentioned previously, as well as other TVBFs including the following Turkish manufactured TVBFs: 

• Retay 

• Ekol 

• Ceonic 

• Blow 

If you are found in possession of one of the five outlined Bruni firearms after the amnesty ends, you could receive a prison sentence of 10 years.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Q: What is a Firearms Amnesty?  

A: A firearms amnesty means people can hand in guns they should not have, without being prosecuted for having them.  

Q: Why is the Firearms Amnesty taking place now?  

A: After testing of the Bruni-manufactured Side/ Top Venting Blank Firers (TVBFs) by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and policing, five models have been shown to be readily convertible and therefore illegal.  

Q: Are blank firers legal to purchase?  

A: Certain TVBFs are legal to buy in the UK without a licence by over 18s unless they have been prohibited and classified as a Section 5 firearm as they are readily convertible and able to fire live ammunition.  

Q: Are other firearms allowed to be handed in during the amnesty period?  

A: Yes, however the amnesty only applies side/ top-venting blank firers (TVBFs). If you have unwanted firearms or ammunition, you can still hand them into your local police station as per normal surrender procedures.  

Q: Who does the amnesty affect?  

A: This amnesty gives people in England and Wales the opportunity to dispose of five models of TVBFs safely and without fear of prosecution due to them recently becoming illegal. Possession of one of these TVBFs after the amnesty ends could result in a prison sentence of 10 years.  

Q: Isn’t this letting criminals with firearms escape justice?  

A: The force is committed to robustly investigating serious crime and protecting the public. The firearms amnesty of TVBFs removes potential future firearms from circulation whilst allowing those who legally purchased them to hand them in without prosecution for a limited time period.  

Q: How can communities help?  

A: Communities hold the key to helping reduce firearm related crime. Information from witnesses and local communities is vital if we are to obtain the evidence we need to arrest and prosecute offenders. We know that sometimes more people will share more information following a serious incident such as a murder, but we are working to gain trust and confidence so communities feel they can share and report any issues at any time, ideally before incidents of violence escalate.  

Q: How will the Firearms Amnesty help?  

A: Every TVBF given up is one less that criminals can potentially convert and use.  

Q: What about the rights of legal firearms holders during the amnesty?  

A: The rights of legal firearms holders are unaffected. License-holders can be reassured that these measures merely enhance their rights and privileges to own firearms, by removing the dangerous ones from the wrong hands.