SAM ROWLANDS, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is backing a national firearms amnesty.
Mr Rowlands has welcomed news that North Wales Police is supporting the four-week national amnesty of the BRUNI-manufactured side/top-venting blank firers which are now illegal to possess following testing by the National Crime Agency and policing.
The amnesty for the surrender of five top-venting blank firers TVBFs is taking place between February 2 and 27 in England and Wales.
Mr Rowlands said: “I am happy to support any initiative by police forces which will ultimately help to prevent crime and keep us all safe here in North Wales.
“I would encourage anyone in possession of these blank firers to hand them over during the amnesty as they will be illegal to possess after February 27.
“There is also an opportunity to hand over any other unwanted, unlicensed firearms and ammunition so the police can dispose of them in a safe place.”
North Wales Police is supporting the four-week national amnesty of the BRUNI-manufactured side/top-venting blank firers which are now illegal to possess following testing by the National Crime Agency and policing.
The guns are prohibited under the Firearms Act 1968 as they can be readily converted into dangerous weapons. Following the amnesty period, anybody found in possession of these blank firers could face up to 10 years in prison.
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.
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.
Andrew Broadhead, Head of Firearms/Explosives Licensing at North Wales Police said: “Thankfully, gun crime in North Wales remains extremely rare however we are not complacent, which is why we are supporting the national BRUNI TVBF firearms amnesty, after tests have shown they can be readily converted into firearms, therefore making them illegal to possess.
“Surrendering these weapons now will help prevent them getting into the wrong hands in the future and being used by criminals, so we want as many top-venting blank firers as possible to be handed in.”
Side/top-venting blank firers can be handed in at the following locations:
- Wrexham Police Station – Former Oriel Gallery, Rhosddu Road, LL11 1AU from 8:30am – 7pm Monday to Saturday and 9am – 6pm – Sundays.
- Rhyl Police Station – Wellington Road, LL18 1DA from 8:30am – 7pm – Monday to Saturday and 9am -6pm – Sundays.
- Bangor Police Station – Ffordd Gwynedd, LL57 1DT from 8:30AM – 7PM – Monday to Saturday and 9am – 6pm – Sundays.
If you cannot attend one of the sites contact NWP on 101 or live webchat for advice on how best to transport the weapon responsibly from home to a police station.
