The general public of Avon and Somerset is currently being urged by the police to turn in the Olympic .380 BBM revolver. Anyone in possession of one is being asked to hand in the firearm as a part of a national amnesty.

The initiative to ensure that the revolver is turned in was launched after tests which showed that the gun is readily convertible under the Firearms Act 1982.

"Firstly I would like to assure the communities of Avon and Somerset that criminal use of firearms across the force area is very low. During the last 12 months we have only had one reported case of this type of weapon; however we must recognize that in the wrong hands this blank firing revolver can be quickly converted to a deadly weapon with very little technical knowledge", said Deputy head of CID Nigel Rock.

He further shared that anybody who has access to one of these weapons is encouraged to readily hand it in. In addition, if any of the community members have any information about anyone who has the revolver, they are welcome to share it with the authorities.

Anyone who is currently in the possession of the revolver, whether converted or otherwise, is urged to turn it in to their local police station. The deadline to do the same is June 04 and those failing to do so by then will face prosecution.