Four-week firearms amnesty launched for illegal blank firers

Why it matters: Suffolk residents have until 28 February to hand in specific Turkish-made blank-firing guns or face up to 10 years in prison.

The big picture: Tests by the National Crime Agency show four Turkish manufacturers' blank-firing guns can be readily converted into lethal weapons, making them illegal under the Firearms Act 1968.

By the numbers:

• More than 800 of these guns have been recovered in criminal circumstances since 2021

• Converted blank firers were used in at least four UK homicides in the last two years

• One investigation recovered more than 400 converted weapons from a single crime group

What they're saying: "Gun crime in Suffolk remains very rare but we are not complacent about it," said Darrell Skuse, Firearms & Licensing Manager for Norfolk & Suffolk Constabularies.

The details: The amnesty applies to top-venting blank firers manufactured by:

• Retay

• Ekol

• Ceonic

• Blow

What to know: Residents can surrender weapons at three Public Enquiry Offices across Suffolk:

• Ipswich Police Station, Princes Street

• Lowestoft Police Station, Old Nelson Street

• Bury St Edmunds Police Station, Raingate Street

All offices are open from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday.

For context: Top-venting blank firers were previously legal for over-18s to buy without a licence. They have blocked barrels and are designed to discharge only blank cartridges, with gases venting from the top of the weapon.

What's next: After 28 February, anyone found in possession of these weapons could face prosecution and up to 10 years' imprisonment.

The bottom line: Police advise calling 101 before transporting any weapons to receive guidance on safe transportation.