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Four-week firearms amnesty launched for illegal blank firers

News
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Ipswich's only independent news website

We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

Police have launched a four-week firearms amnesty for Turkish-manufactured top-venting blank firers after testing revealed they could be easily converted into lethal weapons.

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.

Turkish-manufactured top-venting blank firer
Suffolk Police have launched a four-week firearms amnesty for Turkish-manufactured top-venting blank firers after testing revealed they can be easily converted into lethal weaponsNational Crime Agency

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.

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One man's mission to preserve Ipswich's transport heritage

Feature
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As our transport landscape continues its rapid evolution, one local enthusiast has embarked on a remarkable journey to preserve a piece of Ipswich's recent history.

Bus preservation in Britain has come a long way since 1956, when four pioneering enthusiasts purchased their first historic London bus for a mere £40. Today, more than 5,000 preserved buses grace our nation's roads, each telling its own story of public transport's evolution.

This story begins with fleet number 147, an Optare Versa bus that once ferried countless passengers between London Road and Martlesham park and ride sites.

Now, this former Ipswich Buses workhorse has found a new home, rescued from potential obscurity for £4,000, by Jake Gooding, a local bus enthusiast and now proud preservationist.

I have to say, £4,000 for a fully-operational bus feels like an absolute bargain when compared to the cost of a half-decent SUV nowadays.

After becoming sidetracked (a common occurance for me) and going down a potentially divorce-inducing rabbit hole, exploring the idea of a "News Bus" in Ipswich, I got back to the task in hand.

"Indeed, prices of single deck buses are usually around the £2,500 range for a second hand one, and double deckers are usually around £4,000-£5,000, Jake informed me.

"The reason why ours was a little expensive is because it has a range of mod cons like air-conditioning, next stop announcements capabilities etc."

Optare Versa fleet number 147
Optare Versa fleet number 147Jake Gooding

Jake's vision includes restoring the vehicle to its former Ipswich Buses glory, complete with period livery. It's a labour of love that will demand dedication and expense, with annual running costs of around £500 and regular maintenance to keep the bus roadworthy.

The Optare Versa itself has an interesting technical history. Originally fitted with a MAN engine, it later received a Cummins power unit during its service life with Ipswich Buses. These engineering changes reflect the practical realities of keeping a hardworking public service vehicle on the road.

If all goes according to plan, this piece of Ipswich's transport heritage will make its preserved debut at The Big Bus Show at Stonham Barns in August 2025. There, it will stand (park?) proud as a testament to our town's transport heritage and the dedication of those who work to preserve it.

Jake Gooding
Jake GoodingJake Gooding

Some might question why anyone would want to preserve such a relatively modern vehicle. Yet in an era of rapid technological change, where tomorrow's buses might be unrecognisable from today's, preserving examples of recent transport history becomes increasingly important.

Fleet number 147's story didn't end when it left Ipswich Buses' service in November 2020. Instead, it's beginning a new chapter – one that will help ensure that future generations can appreciate how their parents and grandparents travelled around our town.

You can follow the project via its dedicated Facebook page.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

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