Police seize ‘lethal’ banned Turkish guns in the West Midlands

West Midlands: Police have seized banned Turkish guns in the area. They are urging owners of top-venting blank-firing handguns to turn them in at Coventry Central Police Station.

These guns are designed to fire only blank cartridges. However, criminals can modify them to fire real bullets. They often paint them black to look like real firearms.

Models like Retay, Ekol, Ceonic, and Blow are now illegal in the UK. The National Crime Agency found that these guns can be dangerous. Possessing one can lead to a 10-year prison sentence.

Since 2021, around 800 of these guns have been seized in the UK. Some have been linked to serious crimes, including four homicides.

Recently, police executed a warrant in Birmingham and seized nine of these guns. A 43-year-old man was charged with illegal possession and conversion of firearms.

Police are encouraging anyone with these guns to surrender them by February 28. You can drop them off at Coventry Central Police Station on Little Park Street.

Detective Chief Inspector Alastair Orencas stated that gun crime is rare in the West Midlands. However, they are taking this issue seriously to protect the community.

He added that these guns can easily be converted into real firearms, making them illegal. Surrendering them can help keep the community safe.

If you need advice on how to transport a gun to the police station, call 101. If you know about illegal firearms activity, report it to the police or Crimestoppers.