North Yorkshire Police will be taking part in a national amnesty relating to the Olympic .380 BBM revolver. The weapon is commonly known as a blank firer and often used to start races and for dog training.
Recent tests carried out by the Forensic Science Service identified that the revolver is readily convertible into a lethally barrelled weapon. There has been no change in legislation, but the status of the weapon has changed, making it illegal to possess, supply or transfer in the UK.
HAND IN OLYMPIC .380 BBM FIREARMS BEFORE 4 JUNE
Police will hold a targeted amnesty for anyone in possession of an Olympic .380 BBM revolver until 4 June 2010, it was announced today. Following tests, the Olympic .380 BBM has been identified as readily convertible under the provision of the Firearms Act 1982, bringing it within the classification of a prohibited weapon under Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968.
This means that anyone who does not hand in their Olympic .380 BBM revolver before 4 June 2010 could be liable to prosecution, for which there is a five year mandatory prison sentence. The period of targeted amnesty will begin today, 16 April and will end on 4 June 2010. It will be for the sole purpose of handing in Olympic .380 BBM revolvers in either their converted or unconverted form.
Assistant Chief Constable Sue Fish OBE, ACPO lead on criminal use of firearms said:
“We are acting today to deal with the threat posed by criminal use of this firearm to communities in the UK. Our action means that any individual in possession of an unconverted or converted Olympic .380 BBM should hand it in now or at their earliest opportunity. This targeted amnesty offers a route to dispose of these firearms before 4 June 2010, without facing prosecution for possession.
“A significant number of converted Olympic .380 BBM’s have been recovered by the police having been used in criminal activity. It is essential that the police work together with the public to tackle this threat.”
David Penn from the British Shooting Sports Council said:
“We are aware that many of our members may have purchased the Olympic .380 BBM for well established legitimate uses. The actions of a criminal minority have undermined the lawful use of this revolver and we appeal to anyone in possession of an Olympic .380 BBM to hand it in to their nearest police station.”
“The British Shooting Sports Council (BSSC), the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and the Gun Trade Association (GTA) work closely with ACPO. Collectively we are supportive of the work to remove the Olympic .380 BBM from circulation in the UK. ACPO, the BSSC, BASC and GTA will continue to work to ensure our members are not disadvantaged by the criminal minority who convert firearms and use them illegally.”
This targeted amnesty applies solely to possession of the Olympic .380 BBM across all police forces in England and Wales. Police forces have been supplied with information about the Olympic .380 BBM and how to manage their handover in terms of safety to the public.
Anyone with information about firearms incidents or information about those who possess or have access to illegal firearms should contact their local police force or call the Crimestoppers Charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.
You have a very nice website layout, I like it! Please post more content, because I am craving to see what you post next. I bookmarked you blog. Thank you!
I have been just studying your site it’s very well crafted, What i’m searching through the internet trying to find out the best way to start this weblog thing and your site definitely is very impressive.