BLANK firing firearms recently made illegal to own can be handed in to police stations following the launch of a national month-long amnesty.

The decision to reclassify the models, taken by the Home Office last September, applies to five top- or side-venting blank firers, which can be converted by criminals into operational firearms.

Possession of any of these pistols, used by theatre groups and sports clubs, is now unlawful.

The amnesty, taking place across England and Wales until February 27, aims to remove five specific models of Bruni TVBFs from circulation:

• 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

The models may be fully or partially orange or blue in colour.

Wiltshire Police is advising owners to place the item in a bag or box, to keep it out of public sight, and take it to one of five enquiry offices to avoid prosecution.

Offices include Bourne Hill in Salisbury, Monkton Park in Chippenham, Swindon Gablecross, Polebarn Road in Trowbridge and Hampton Park West in Melksham.

Upon arrival at the front counter, the person must inform staff they are there to hand in a firearm before taking it out.

Office staff will ask for details, but the public are able to hand in their item anonymously.

After the amnesty, anyone in possession of one of the specified TVBFs could be subject to prosecution and up to ten years imprisonment.

T/Chief Insp Dan Green, Wiltshire Police’s tactical lead for the Bruni amnesty, said ownership can be completely legitimate.

“I am appealing particularly to those in our community who are involved in theatrical or acting groups who may use these models as prop guns, sports groups who may use these models as starter pistols or to train gun dogs, and those who collect firearms,” he added.

“You may have originally purchased one of the five Bruni blank firers legitimately however they must be handed in to police before 27 February.

“Gun crime remains a low threat in Wiltshire and the purpose of this amnesty is to remove easily converted blank firers before they reach the hands of criminals.”