Nottinghamshire Police warn that criminals are putting their own lives in danger with improvised firearms as one suspect lost part of his hand due to a makeshift weapon backfiring. Officers have seized a number of 'slam guns' where metal pipes have been hammered to discharge a cartridge.
Officer David Richardson said: “They are really dangerous to the user not just the public. There was a suspect who blew part of their hand off using one." Police said criminals are also using blank fire pistols such as the Retays, but rifling them out so the chamber is clear for a projectile. The force's archive and exhibits department handles between 30 and 60 firearms a week.
The department works with detectives to build up an intelligence picture and provide detailed analysis of the weapons seized, which includes rifles, air pistols, BB guns, CS spray and stun devices.
