ANYONE possessing a Bruni Olympic .380 BBM revolver is being urged to hand it in to the Dorset Police before June 4 or face a five-year prison sentence.

The gun, known as a blank firer, is often used for race starting or dog training and when imports to the UK first started did not require a licence.

However, importation has now been banned as the gun can be converted into a lethally barrelled weapon, which brings it within the classification of a prohibited weapon under Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968.

The period of amnesty began on April 16. All police stations will receive surrendered weapons, in their converted or unconverted form.

The aim is to remove as many of these revolvers as possible from circulation so that they do not fall into criminal hands.

Supt Charlie Eggar of Dorset Police said: “When these blank firing revolvers were first imported into the UK they were not considered lethal or indeed easily convertible into a lethal weapon.

“However since then the accessibility to comparatively sophisticated tools via DIY stores and their relatively low price have given criminals the means to convert these weapons.

“There are likely to be a number of these weapons in the possession of sports clubs, schools, theatrical groups, gun dog training schools and similar organisations in addition to private ownership.

“By removing these potential firearms from circulation Dorset Police, in collaboration with the gun trade and current owners, are contributing significantly to making Dorset safer for everyone.”

Anyone with information relating to gun crime is asked to call Dorset Police on 01202 or 01305 222222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.