Police have announced a nationwide firearms amnesty following evidence that converted Turkish blank-firing guns were used in two London murders.
The month-long surrender programme, starting Monday, targets "top-venting blank firers" (TVBFs) after more than 800 were recovered in criminal circumstances across the UK since 2021.
A converted TVBF was used in the killing of Sebastiaan James-Kraan, 20, in Ealing last June, while forensic evidence suggests another was involved in the fatal shooting of Tyler McDermott, 17, in Tottenham in April 2023.
Detective Superintendent Tim Mustoe warned: "We are increasingly concerned about the risk posed by these weapons if they fall into the hands of criminals and those intent on causing serious violence on the streets of London."
The weapons, manufactured by four Turkish companies - Retay, Ekol, Ceonic and Blow - are currently legal to buy without a licence. However, tests show they can be readily converted into lethal firearms.
"The majority of top venting blank firers in circulation were bought lawfully by people with no ill intent," said Det Supt Mustoe. "However we now know what can happen if they're converted to do harm."
Those surrendering TVBFs during the amnesty, running until February 28, will not face prosecution or need to provide personal details. However, the weapons will be examined for links to previous crimes.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe revealed that one investigation alone recovered more than 400 converted weapons from a single crime group.
The Met has designated 17 police stations across London for weapons surrender, including sites in Edmonton, Brixton, and Charing Cross.
Anyone found possessing these weapons after the amnesty period could face up to 10 years in prison.
