Top Venting Blank Firing Firearms
Dear Members
The following is the text of a letter from the Home Office to BSSC and its members, which, as you will note, is to advise the Governments’s decision and position regarding Top Venting Blank Firing Firearms as widely as possible. Please take due note and if you are affected follow the instructions.
Regards
Derek Stimpson
TOP VENTING BLANK FIRING FIREARMS
The Home Office are writing to advise you about the legal status of specific types of Top Venting Blank Firing Firearms manufactured in Türkiye, namely RETAY, EKOL, CEONIC and BLOW pistols.
By virtue of section 1 of the Firearms Act 1982, an imitation firearm is legal to purchase and possess without a firearms certificate in this country if it is not ‘readily convertible’ to a firearm. Section 1(6) of the 1982 Act defines what is meant by ‘readily convertible’ in this context. It means any imitation firearm which can be converted to a firearm without any special skills or specialist equipment or tools. In its Annual Strategic Threat Assessment 2024, the National Crime Agency noted that criminals are converting blank-firing weapons, such as Top Venting Blank Firing Firearms to fire live or modified ammunition, and this has been assessed as one of the most significant firearms threats.
The National Crime Agency recently commissioned an accredited expert to undertake forensic examination in Durham Firearms Classification and Examination Laboratory of the different examples of Turkish manufactured Top Venting Blank Firing Firearms to assess their convertibility into live-firing weapons. This testing has established that models RETAY, EKOL, CEONIC and BLOW are ’readily convertible’ within the meaning of section 1 of the Firearms Act 1982, which means that they fall within the controls set out in the Firearms Act 1968. As the models tested fall within the specifications of a handgun they are, therefore prohibited under section 5(1) (aba) of the Firearms Act 1968. Their possession, purchase or acquisition is unlawful in the absence of specific authorisation of the Secretary of State.
The Home Office is working with the National Police Chiefs Council and the National Crime Agency to ensure that all interested parties are aware that these models of Top Venting Blank Firing Firearms are prohibited under the Firearms Act 1968 and that their possession, purchase or acquisition is unlawful. I hope that you will be able to advise your members of this and any other person or organisation you consider may be affected or have an interest.
The Government wishes to ensure that these weapons are removed from circulation and that current owners have the opportunity to dispose of them safely. It is the intention of the National Police Chiefs Council to hold an amnesty during which owners will be able to hand these items into police stations. The amnesty will run for four weeks from 3 February 2025 across all police forces in England and Wales. There will be further details about the amnesty scheme issued nearer the time. It is, however, open to anybody who is in possession of one of these firearms who wishes to dispose of the item before the amnesty begins to contact their local police force to discuss safe disposal. Discussions are also underway about a similar amnesty in Scotland.
No compensation will be paid by the Government in respect of firearms that are handed over in the amnesty (or prior to the amnesty) on the basis that they have been found to be illegal and contrary to current legislation.
It is the responsibility of the firearm owner to ensure they are complying with the law.
This is why we are writing to you, and to other organisations who represent groups who might be affected, so you are aware of the position of these specific Top Venting Blank Firing Firearms.