More than 10,000 Top-Venting Blank Firing (TVBF) pistols are estimated to be in circulation in the UK (mostly originating from Türkiye) either in the hands of private owners, or in retailers’ stock. We have seen widespread examples of these weapons being converted enabling them to fire projectiles and have been used in serious incidents, including homicides.

The threat from these TVBF pistols is increasing across the UK with the potential that ‘the majority of future gun enabled violence will be facilitated by converted TVBF pistols.’

To reduce the risk to the public, the Home Office funded forensic testing which was commissioned by the National Crime Agency (NCA). This testing found 4 specific models of TVBFs from Turkish manufacturers which are now considered to be readily convertible into lethal barrelled weapons. Subsequently, it is now illegal to possess, purchase or acquire Blow, Ceonic ISSC, Ekol, and Retay models under the Firearms Act. 

A month-long national amnesty has been created to remove readily convertible weapons from criminal availability, thereby reducing the risk of harm to the public, protecting our communities and reducing the likelihood that these firearms will be available for terrorist use. It also gives people in possession of these TVBFs, who now find themselves potentially committing an offence under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968, the ability to hand them in without facing criminal proceedings.