Dorset Police news site

Dorset Police is supporting a national firearms amnesty for five types of BRUNI-manufactured side or top-venting blank firers (TVBFs).

The five types of firearm are now illegal to possess following testing by the National Crime Agency and policing.

The four-week amnesty is running until Friday 27 February 2026, after which anyone in possession of one the specified TVBFs could be subject to prosecution and up to 10 years imprisonment.

Side or top-venting blank firers are legal to buy in the UK without a licence by an adult unless they are readily convertible.

Tests by the National Crime Agency and policing have shown that the following BRUNI models are readily convertible and are therefore illegal:

• 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

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

Firearms legislation has not changed – the five types of BRUNI-manufactured TVPFs are illegal to own under the Firearms Act 1968 as they can be readily converted using common household tools and without specialist skill on the part of the person carrying out the conversion.

Many TVBFs may be held in innocence and ignorance of their illegality or may be overlooked or forgotten in people’s homes. The amnesty gives holders the chance to dispose of the TVBFs safely by taking it to an enquiry office at a police station and handing it in.

During the amnesty period, those handing in one of the five identified BRUNI TVBFs will not face prosecution for the illegal possession and they can remain anonymous. However, the history of any live firearms handed in will be checked for evidence if its use in crime.

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.

Chief Inspector Dave Horn, of Dorset Police, said: “Firearms offences in Dorset remain low when compared to other counties and metropolitan areas. However, we are not complacent and remain committed to stamping out gun crime.

“We will not tolerate any activity involving illegal firearms and that is why we are supporting this national amnesty.

“Surrendering the five types of BRUNI-manufactured TVPFs now will help prevent them getting into the wrong hands in the future and being used by criminals.

“Together with our partners we continually work hard to educate people about firearms and the associated dangers and would urge anyone with information about those carrying illegal firearms or any other weapon to contact us by visiting www.dorset.police.uk or calling 101. In an emergency always dial 999.”

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for the Criminal Use of Firearms, said: “Side or top-venting blank firers are very appealing to criminals and offenders who convert them, as they can generate large profits.

“As well as urging people to surrender their BRUNI TVBF if it is one of the five models which have now been identified as readily convertible, we are continuing to target those involved in the criminal use of firearms

“We work closely with the National Crime Agency (NCA) to identify and disrupt workshops used to covert pistols into lethal weapons, recover weapons and ammunition, and bring offenders to justice.

“There continues to be a strong demand for such weapons, evidenced by the numbers imported and subsequent recovery from criminals, and we will be relentless in our pursuit of those posing such a risk to our communities.

“Stopping the sale of these side or top-venting blank firers from being converted will also go a significant way to help protect the public.”

Top-venting blank firers can be handed in at the enquiry offices at Bournemouth, Blandford or Weymouth police station, but please check the opening times on our website before visiting. 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 anyone involved in illegal firearms activity, you should contact the police. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.