National gun amnesty

City of London Police is supporting a national amnesty for anyone in possession of an Olympic .380 BBM revolver.

The revolver is sold as a starting pistol and for use in dog training, but while the City has few problems with gun crime, some forces have recovered a significant number that have been converted into weapons. That has prompted the decision to reclassify the revolver as a prohibited weapon.

The amnesty runs until 4 June 2010, after which anyone found in possession of the gun will be liable to prosecution and could face a five-year prison sentence.

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.”

The amnesty includes both converted and unconverted revolvers, but does not offer immunity from prosecution to offences committed with a firearm.