Police in North Yorkshire are launching a new crackdown on illegal guns - thanks to a new law in force today.
Police will use the Anti-Social Behaviour Act, which they believe could make a key difference in the fight against gun crime.
The Act includes a measure to ban a type of air weapon that can be adapted to fire live ammunition.
From today it will be an offence to make, sell, buy or own any air weapon using a self-contained gas cartridge which can be converted to fire live ammo, unless you have a certificate.
Anyone who has one of these illegal weapons is urged to hand it in.
The legal gun has a gas propellant canister, seen in the butt.
Owners have until May 1 to either surrender their gas cartridge guns or to obtain the necessary firearm certificate.
Anyone unsure if their weapon comes under the new law can call North Yorkshire Police firearms licensing department on 01609 783131 during office hours.
Staff will also advise on licensing guns, if owners wish to keep them.
Firearms licensing manager Lynda Hodgson said: "North Yorkshire Police have an excellent relationship with gun owners and I want to emphasise that these new regulations - and our support of them - are not intended in any way as persecution of the shooting fraternity.
"This is all about cutting the supply of lethal weapons to criminals."
