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# Four-week firearms amnesty launched for illegal blank firers
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/four-week-firearms-amnesty-launched-for-illegal-blank-firers/
- Published: 2025-02-03T11:07:29.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:23:08.000Z
- Description: 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.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Policing, Appeals, #article, Suffolk Constabulary, #Import 2026-03-16 14:45

**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](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1738580772-turkish-made-blank-firing-pistol-1.webp)

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 weapons (National 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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