Bruni Pistol Ban

As of Tuesday 2nd September 2025, all current 8mm Bruni semi-automatic pistols and the Bruni 9mm Peacemaker have been declared as “readily convertible into lethal-barrelled weapons within the meaning of sections 1(1) and 1(6) of the Firearms Act 1982 meaning that they are prohibited firearms under the Firearms Act 1968.”

An amnesty will be announced for February 2026 to allow current owners to hand these blank fire pistols in to the Police, but you can hand them in sooner. It is now illegal to sell them or gift them to anyone, keep them safe until you can hand them over to the police.

The models affected are –

8mm PAK Bruni BBM Model 92 blank firing self-loading pistol (M9)

8mm PAK Bruni BBM New Police blank firing self-loading pistol (PPK)

8mm PAK Bruni BBM Model 96 blank firing self-loading pistol (1911)

8mm PAK Bruni BBM Model ‘GAP’ blank firing self-loading pistol (Glock)

.380R (9mmK) PAK Bruni BBM ME Ranger single-action blank firing revolver (Peacemaker)

This ban does not affect any older Bruni products including the older 9mm versions of the semi-automatics or the 8mm P38 or 8mm Desert Eagle pistols. But as these pistols are constructed in the same way as the now banned Bruni pistols you may wish to consider your ownership or who you sell them to in the future.

This ban does not affect the current models of the 5 shot 9mm snub nose revolvers or the 8 shot .22 snub nose revolvers. I would imagine that these have also been tested and not found to be easily convertible.

This ban of Bruni pistols follows on from the ban of Turkish made pistols, these are all items that have been easily available as new, and thus the most available for criminal use.

I have attached the letter sent to all traders from the National Crime Agency. It is worth reading carefully to understand why they have acted in this way.

I would ask you all to be careful who you sell any blank fire pistols to, as criminals will be looking for a new source of pistols to convert now that new blank fire pistols are less available to them. Even this week since the ban I have been contacted my one person who needed a Bruni Model 92 so he could train gun dogs, no other pistol would do!

Take Care,

Neil Sinclair

Letter From NCA

TLPreventCommodities@nca.gov.uk

02 September 2025

Dear Sir/Madam We are writing to advise and request that you immediately cease the trading of a number of models of BRUNI top/side venting blank firing imitation firearms, manufactured in Italy, on receipt of this letter.

Due to widespread instances of top venting blank firing weapons being converted to fire projectiles, including confirmed use in homicides, UK law enforcement agencies have identified them as one of the most significant firearms threats to public safety. Working with the Home Office including Border Force, and representatives of police forces across the UK, the National Crime Agency has recently received the results of forensic examination of multiple models of top/side-venting, blank-firing, imitation firearms manufactured by BRUNI. The forensic examination reports support the view that the five (x5) models tested below, are readily convertible into lethal-barrelled weapons within the meaning of sections 1(1) and 1(6) of the Firearms Act 1982 meaning that they are prohibited firearms under the Firearms Act 1968.

• 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

In accordance with the test set out in the legislation, the work involved in conversions did not require equipment or tools other than those in common use for household construction and maintenance, nor did conversion involve special skill on the part of the person converting it in the construction or adaptation of firearms. These models were test fired successfully using improvised ammunition of the sort commonly recovered from criminal scenes.

This testing together with further evidence from continued criminal misuse and subsequent recoveries of c. 70 criminally converted blank-firing BRUNI manufactured guns since 2022, compels us to advise you of the above findings. We consider that this information will enable you to make informed decisions with regards to your business and commercial activities, and ask that you work with us to help further suppress firearms injuries and deaths in the UK. Further imports of these five (x5) top venting blank firers from BRUNI are now subject to detention or seizure by Border Force to prevent the sale/transfer of prohibited weapons. Consequently, we advise you to cease trading any of the above referenced blank firers manufactured by BRUNI and to store all such devices in as secure conditions as you are able until further notice. Compliance with this advice will mean that no law enforcement action will be taken against you for Firearms Act offences regarding the relevant devices prior to the date of this letter. Should you decide to ignore the advice provided and continue to trade the weapons, then you render yourself liable to future prosecution and/or other enforcement action. We consider that it is likely that a court would find that we have provided you with reasonable grounds to suspect that the firearm was so constructed or adapted as to be readily convertible and therefore the defence available under section 1(5) of the Firearms Act 1982 is unlikely to be successful. An amnesty will be arranged in February 2026 enabling you to safely dispose of your remaining stock.

The Home Office has confirmed that no compensation will be paid by the Government in respect of firearms that are handed over in the amnesty (or prior to the amnesty) on the basis that they have been proven to be illegal and contrary to current legislation. It is the responsibility of the gun owner to ensure they are complying with statutory requirements. Should you feel you cannot store any remaining stock securely prior to the date of the amnesty, please contact the NCA on the email address below, who will ensure your email is sent on to the Firearms Licensing Manager of your local police force to discuss the matter and provide further advice. Similar letters will be sent to all identified retailers of the weapons and relevant wholesalers have also been informed.

A public information campaign will inform members of the public who have purchased relevant items of the upcoming amnesty. Additionally, the Home Office is writing to organisations who represent groups who might be affected so they are aware of the position of these specific top venting blank firing firearms. We appreciate that you may, because of these findings and this advice, be subject to financial loss due to the lack of compensation. However, we are sure that you understand that these specific models are illegal under existing legislation and given their use by those involved in crime, the requirement to avoid serious injury and deaths through all proportionate measures is a priority for the NPCC and NCA, and we are grateful for your anticipated support in this matter. Should you have any questions regarding this matter not answered in the attached ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document, please reply to TLPreventCommodities@nca.gov.uk and we will ensure these are passed onto the relevant Government department for a response.

Yours faithfully

Tim Metcalfe Assistant Chief Constable NPCC Lead on Criminal Use of Firearms