Dorset Police has announced its support for a national firearms amnesty targeting Turkish-manufactured top-venting blank firers (TVBFs). The amnesty, running from Monday, 3 February to Friday, 28 February 2025, provides an opportunity for individuals in possession of these firearms to surrender them without facing prosecution. After this period, those found with such weapons could be subject to prosecution and face up to ten years in prison.
Why Are These Firearms a Concern?
Recent tests conducted by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and UK policing, with Home Office funding, have confirmed that models produced by four Turkish manufacturers – Retay, Ekol, Ceonic, and Blow – are readily convertible into lethal firearms. Although originally designed to discharge only blank cartridges, these TVBFs can be modified using common household tools without requiring specialist skills. Consequently, under the Firearms Act 1968, these weapons are considered illegal.

TVBFs are legally available for purchase by adults in the UK, provided they are not readily convertible. However, police investigations have revealed that criminals are modifying these weapons to function as lethal-purpose firearms. A particular concern is that criminals often paint these brightly coloured blank firers black to mimic authentic firearms, increasing their potential use in violent crime.
The Scale of the Problem
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for the Criminal Use of Firearms, highlighted the severity of the issue:
“Top-venting blank firers are increasingly being used by criminals and can be easily converted into lethal weapons. Over the past two years, the NCA and police have uncovered and disrupted multiple illegal workshops dedicated to modifying these firearms. In the same period, a significant number of converted weapons were seized, including one investigation that recovered over 400 converted firearms from a single crime group. The continued demand for these weapons is evident from the high numbers being imported and later confiscated from criminal organisations.”
Amnesty Offers a Safe and Anonymous Solution
Many TVBFs may be in possession of individuals who are unaware of their illegality or may have been forgotten in households. This amnesty provides an opportunity to safely surrender these firearms without fear of prosecution for possession. People handing in TVBFs will not be required to provide their details. However, if a live firearm is handed in, its history will be checked to determine whether it has been used in criminal activity.
Detective Inspector Scott Johnson, Criminal Use of Firearms Lead at Dorset Police, emphasised the importance of the initiative:
“Firearms offences in Dorset remain low compared to other counties and metropolitan areas, but we are not complacent. We are committed to preventing illegal firearms from falling into criminal hands. Supporting this amnesty will help prevent future crimes. If you own a TVBF from Retay, Ekol, Ceonic, or Blow, I urge you to surrender it at your local police station.”
Beyond the amnesty period, individuals can still surrender unlicensed firearms and ammunition at any time under normal procedures. This ensures they are disposed of safely, preventing their involvement in criminal activity.
How to Surrender a TVBF Safely
Top-venting blank firers can be handed in at any police enquiry office. However, individuals are advised to check opening times on the Dorset Police website before visiting. For guidance on how to safely transport a firearm to a police station, individuals can call 101 before making the journey.
Anyone with information about illegal firearm activity is encouraged to contact the police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111. Removing an illegal firearm from circulation could save lives and prevent serious crime.
This initiative underscores the continued commitment of law enforcement to tackling illegal firearms and ensuring public safety across the UK.