The Home Office has announced that several Bruni top-venting blank firing pistols (TVBFPs) have been classified as prohibited weapons, as they are deemed readily convertible to fire live ammunition.
The following models are affected:
• 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
An amnesty for these TVBFPs will take place in February 2026, though owners do not need to wait until then to act. Firearms can either be surrendered at a police station, which is the preferred method, or destroyed by the holder, for example by cutting them with an angle grinder or hacksaw.
The Home Office has advised that anyone considering purchasing a blank firing pistol for legitimate purposes, such as dog training, should avoid buying any of the Bruni models listed above.
Conviction for the illegal possession of a prohibited weapon normally carries a mandatory fiveyear prison sentence, with limited judicial discretion.
Read a detailed article on this issue from Specialist firearms solicitor Laura Saunsbury on page 24.