Ten potentially lethal firearms have been taken off the streets this week as we 

encourage gun owners to hand them in or face prosecution.

We’re joining all other police forces in a month-long amnesty around Turkish-manufactured, top-venting blank firer (TVBF) handguns, which started on 3 February.

Testing from the National Crime Agency and policing has established four models are readily convertible and are now considered to be illegal, like other firearms.

It means anyone caught with one can face up to 10 years in prison.

The type of gun that needs to be handed in

Since the amnesty started on Monday, 10 of the weapons have now been handed in and made safe by our officers so that they can be safely destroyed.

In their original state, TVBFs have a fully blocked barrel, have a visible painted surface and are designed to discharge only blank cartridges.

However, criminals may paint them black so they look like an original lethal-purpose weapon, as well as convert them to a fully functioning firearm.

Since 2021, UK law enforcement has recovered more than 800 of the guns in criminal circumstances and converted blank firers have been used in at least four homicides in the UK in the last two years.

The firearms are the Turkish brands: Retay, Ekol, Ceonic and Blow.

The amnesty is being held to offer owners the opportunity to hand in any TVBFs before 28 February 2025 to help them avoid prosecution and prevent these pistols getting into the wrong hands.

We know many TVBFs may be held in innocence and with owners unaware that they are now considered an illegal weapon.

If you have a TVBF, you can:

• Safely take it to a local police station (see below) until 28 February, 2025.
• Other unwanted, unlicensed firearms and ammunition may be surrendered to police at any time which will avoid the risk of them becoming involved in criminality and means that members of the community can dispose of firearms in a safe place.
• During the amnesty period, those handing in a Turkish manufactured TVBF will not face prosecution for the illegal possession and will not have to give their details.
• Any live firearms handed in will be checked for evidence of its use in crime.

Detective Chief Inspector Alastair Orencas said: “Gun crime in the West Midlands is rare but we are not complacent, which is why we are part of the national amnesty for Turkish Top-Venting Firearms as we understand the threat they can pose to our communities by those seeking to act outside of the law.

“Tests have shown they can be readily converted into firearms, therefore making them illegal to possess.

“Surrendering these weapons will help prevent them getting into the wrong hands in the future and being used by criminals.

"We want as many top-venting blank firers as possible to be handed in and I encourage anyone in possession of one to visit their local police station.”

To receive advice on how best to transport the weapon responsibly from home to the police station phone 101 before travelling.

If you know of people involved in illegal firearms activity should call us on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
Birmingham Local Policing Area
Birmingham Central police station, Snow Hill Queensway, Birmingham B4 6NQ, (Sat Nav users please use B4 6AT) Opening times: 24 hours
Bournville Police Station, 341 Bournville Lane, Bournville, Birmingham B30 1QX Opening times: 8am-10pm
Stechford Police Station, 338 Station Road, Stechford, Birmingham B33 8RR Opening times: 8am-10pm
Sutton Coldfield Police Station, Lichfield Road, Sutton Coldfield B74 2NR Opening times: 8am-10pm

Coventry Local Policing Area
Coventry Central police station, Little Park Street, Coventry CV1 2JX Opening times: 8am-10pm

Dudley Local Policing Area
Brierley Hill police station, Bank Street, Brierley Hill DY5 3DH Opening times: 8am-10pm

Sandwell Local Policing Area
West Bromwich police station, Moor Street, West Bromwich B70 8HS Opening times: 8am-10pm

Solihull Local Policing Area
Solihull police station, Homer Road, Solihull B91 3QL Opening times: 8am-10pm

Walsall Local Policing Area
Bloxwich police station, Station Street, Walsall WS3 2PD Opening times: 8am-10pm

Wolverhampton Local Policing Area
Wolverhampton police station, Metro One Campus, Bilston Street, Wolverhampton WV1 3AA Opening times: 8am-10pm