As we are a UK based company, any second hand Armortek Kit for sale on this forum must be in compliance with UK law at a minimum and buyers must ensure they comply with their local laws.
This summary has been generated by AI and is not legal advice. Additional restrictions may apply.
Current UK Law on Blank Firers (2025)
In the UK, the legality of blank-firing guns depends primarily on their design and convertibility into lethal firearms. Blank firers are categorized by how they vent gases when fired: forward-venting, top-venting, and side-venting.
Current Legal Status by Venting Type
| Venting Type | Legal Status (2025) |
| **Forward-venting** | Illegal without appropriate firearms certification/licensing. Forward-venting blank firers are generally considered readily convertible to fire live ammunition and have long been prohibited under UK firearms law. |
| **Top-Venting (TVBF)** | Previously legal without license if not readily convertible; as of March 2025, specific Turkish-made models (Retay, Ekol, Ceonic ISSC, Blow) are illegal due to proven ease of conversion. Other TVBFs remain legal if not readily convertible. |
| Side-Venting | Generally legal to buy without a license for individuals over 18, provided they are not readily convertible. |
Recent Changes and Developments (Last 25 Years)
Late 1990s–Early 2000s
- Blank-firing guns were widely available and legal without restrictions, provided they were not "readily convertible" into lethal firearms.
Early 2000s–2010s
- Growing concerns emerged about blank firers being converted for criminal use.
- Increased scrutiny led to tighter interpretations of "readily convertible" under the Firearms Act 1968.
2010s–2020s
- Forward-venting blank firers became heavily restricted due to their ease of conversion. They were effectively banned or strictly controlled.
- Top-venting and side-venting blank firers remained largely legal due to their solid barrels and perceived difficulty in conversion.
Recent Changes (2021–2025)
- From 2021 onward, law enforcement noticed a sharp rise in criminal conversions of specific Turkish-made top-venting blank firers (brands: Retay, Ekol, Ceonic ISSC, Blow). Over 800 converted weapons were recovered from criminal contexts since then.
- Tests by the National Crime Agency (NCA) demonstrated that these specific models could be easily converted into lethal weapons using basic household tools.
- Despite no legislative changes to the Firearms Act 1968 itself, these specific models became classified as illegal due to their proven convertibility.
- A national amnesty was held from February 3–28, 2025, allowing owners to surrender these newly illegal TVBFs without prosecution. After this period, possession carries penalties of up to ten years' imprisonment.
Forward-Venting vs. Side-Venting Blank Firers
- Forward-venting blank firers have historically been subject to stricter controls due to their easier convertibility into lethal firearms. Typically, forward venting designs are more readily adaptable for firing projectiles and thus have long been treated as more likely illegal or restricted under existing laws.
- Side-venting blank firers remain legal for purchase by individuals over 18 if they are not readily convertible. They generally have solid barrels and are considered harder to convert than forward or certain top venting models.
In summary, while UK firearms legislation itself (Firearms Act 1968) has remained largely unchanged in recent years regarding definitions of convertibility, enforcement has become stricter due to emerging evidence of ease of conversion for specific top-venting models. This has led to recent prohibitions on certain Turkish-made TVBF brands and increased awareness around blank firer ownership legality.