Gun Amnesty in Dorset

Dorset Police are stepping up the battle against gun crime.

They're running a gun amnesty and are looking for people to hand in blank firing revolvers, used for things like starting a race or for dog training...

Anyone caught with one of these from next month could get a 5 year prison sentence.

Superintendent Charlie Eggar, the Head of Specialist Operations said: “When these blank firing revolvers were first imported into the UK they were not considered lethal or indeed easily convertible into a lethal weapon.

“However since then the accessibility to comparatively sophisticated tools via DIY stores and their relatively low price have given criminals the means to convert these weapons.

“Nationally the number of converted weapons being seized by the police has steadily increased, which led to research being conducted that concluded that conversion was now relatively simple.

“As a result, the Bruni Olympic .388 BBM blank firing pistol is now prohibited, anyone in possession of one would face a five year mandatory prison sentence.

“There are likely to be a number of these weapons in the possession of sports clubs, schools, theatrical groups, gun dog training schools and similar organisations in addition to private ownership.

“The national amnesty has been organised to allow previously legally owned weapons to be surrendered to the police before 4 June.

“By removing these potential firearms from circulation, Dorset Police, in collaboration with the gun trade and current owners, are contributing significantly to making Dorset safer for everyone.”

For Dorset Police station opening hours click on the link above.

Anyone with information relating to gun crime should call Dorset Police on 01202 or 01305 22 22 22 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111