POLICE in York and North Yorkshire have launched a gun amnesty to keep blank-firing guns which can easily be converted into deadly weapons off the streets.
Holders of five types of gun are being urged to give up their weapons after it became illegal to own them..
North Yorkshire Police is holding a four-week firearms amnesty for five Bruni manufactured side/top-venting blank firing pistols (TVBFs).
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It is now illegal to possess them following testing by the National Crime Agency and policing.
The amnesty is being held throughout February when people will be able to hand in these items safely, without fear of prosecution for possession at the point of surrender.
After February, anyone found in possession of one of the five Bruni models could be subject to prosecution and face up to 10 years’ in prison.
Tests have shown that the following five Bruni models are now illegal to own because they are readily convertible:
• 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
They can be handed in at Fulford Road police station in York, as well as police stations across North Yorkshire, including Northallerton and Scarborough.
A police spokesperson said: "Gun crime in North Yorkshire remains very rare but we are not complacent about gun crime, which is why we are supported the national Bruni TVBF firearms amnesty, after tests have shown they can be readily converted into firearms and therefore making them illegal to possess.
"Side/top-venting blank firers are legal to buy in the UK without a licence by over 18s unless they are readily convertible."
In their original state TVBFs have a fully blocked barrel and are designed to discharge only blank cartridges that, when discharged, combustion gases vent from the top of the weapon.
TVBFs are sold with at least 50 per cent of their visible surface painted a bright colour. But, criminals may paint them black so they look like an original lethal purpose (OLP) weapon, as well as convert them to a lethal purpose firearm.
Other unwanted, unlicensed firearms and ammunition may be surrendered 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.
Surrendering these weapons now will help prevent them getting into the hands of criminals.
Contact 101 for information on how best to transport the weapon responsibly to the police station.
Anyone with information about illegal firearms activity is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police immediately or alternatively
Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.
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