Police office covering Milton Keynes to hold February Firearm amnesty

The police force that covers Milton Keynes have announced a February Firearm amnesty.

Thames Valley Police is holding a four-week firearms amnesty for five Bruni manufactured top/side venting blank firing pistols (TVBFs), which are now illegal to possess following national testing by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and policing. 

The amnesty will take place between Monday 2 February to Friday 27 February 2026, giving people the opportunity to hand in these items safely and without fear of prosecution for possession at the point of surrender.

For those in Milton Keynes, the amnesty takes place at the police station located on 302 North Row, Witan Gate East, Milton Keynes, MK9 2DS.

After this date, anyone found in possession of one of the five Bruni models could be subject to prosecution and up to 10 years’ imprisonment. 

Side/top-venting blank firers are legal to buy in the UK without a licence by over 18s 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.  

More than 70 Bruni manufactured devices have been recovered following use in a variety of criminal offences and law enforcement data shows that at least five homicides have occurred using a converted TVBF since 2023.  

Firearms legislation has not changed; the weapons 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. Recent testing completed by the NCA has demonstrated this. The police are asking people to hand in any TVBFs before Friday 27 February in order to avoid prosecution and to prevent these pistols getting into the wrong hands.  

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 a local police station and handing it in.  

The amnesty for TVBFs will be held for four weeks. 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.  

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.

Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Kirby, Head of Crime and Intelligence, said, “Whilst gun crime in the Thames Valley remains very rare, we are not complacent, which is why we are supporting this nationally led Bruni manufactured top venting blank firing pistol amnesty, after tests have shown they can be readily converted into viable firearms, therefore making them lethal weapons and illegal to possess. 

“We believe that every firearm removed from circulation is one less opportunity for it to fall into criminal hands and risk causing serious harm therefore, if you think you may have one of these Bruni models, please take advantage of the surrender and hand it in between 2 and 27 February. 

“Together with our partners we continually strive to educate people about firearms and the dangers they bring as part of our force commitment to protect our communities.” 

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 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.” 

Side or top-venting blank firers can be handed in at any police station, but members of the public are advised to check their local opening times before travelling. Anyone unsure about how to transport the item safely should call 101 for advice. 

If you know of people involved in illegal firearms activity should call the Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

Every call to Crimestoppers is anonymous and potentially vital to preventing or solving serious crimes; removing an illegally held firearm may just save someone’s life.