NI police declares Firearms and Explosives branch “critical incident”
They currently have a backlog of firearms licence applications that is sitting at roughly 3,000 applications and rising.
Top-venting blank firing gun amnesty
The amnesty for top-venting blank firing guns, which is being held due to the increased use of converted guns of this type in crime, runs from 3-28 February.
Last year the National Crime Agency (NCA) carried out a number of tests on Turkish top-venting blank firing Guns (TVBFs), following the increased use of converted guns in crime.
Four types of TVBF were found to be readily convertible within the terms of the Firearms Act 1982; their possession is therefore unlawful. The types identified as readily convertible are: Ekol, Retay, Ceonic ISSC and Blow.
If you live in England or Wales and possess one of these types of TVBF, you should surrender it under the upcoming amnesty due to be held from 3-28 February. Details of police stations set up to receive these guns should be held by your local constabulary.
A further complication is that many blank firing guns are TVBFs, but are not readily convertible within the terms of the above Act.
Should you be unsure as to the type of TVBF you possess and you are a member of BASC, our firearms team may be able to help. The more detail you can provide, including photographs, the easier it will be to identify the manufacturer and type. Contact the team at firearms@basc.org.uk.
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BASC responds to Home Office’s digital medical marker
Read our statement in response to launch of a new digital marker for firearm and shotgun certificate holders’ medical notes.
Have you had your certificate backdated?
If you have been issued with a backdated firearms or shotgun certificate following a delay in your renewal, we’d like to hear from you.
