East London Man Sentenced for Converting Blank Firearms into Working Guns

Luke Parr, 23, receives 10.5 years in prison for firearms manufacturing in Dagenham.

Luke Parr, a 23-year-old man from Dagenham, East London, has been sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison by Snaresbrook Crown Court.

His conviction includes two counts of possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, and the manufacturing of firearms.

The case was brought to light following his arrest on June 10, 2024, in relation to a conspiracy to commit murder, which emerged after a near-fatal shooting incident that occurred just days prior.

Upon investigating Parr's residence, law enforcement officials uncovered a makeshift firearms workshop located in the back garden shed of his home.

The search resulted in the seizure of two handguns that had been converted for use, along with additional ammunition and equipment intended for further conversions.

Although Parr was not charged in relation to the shooting incident, investigations revealed that he was responsible for modifying blank firearms into operational guns, specifically Turkish-manufactured top venting blank firers.

The Metropolitan Police highlighted a growing concern regarding these types of firearms, which have become increasingly associated with violent crimes, including serious assaults and murders in London and across the UK. Once legal for ownership, these weapons, which were purchased lawfully by numerous individuals, have been determined to be easily convertible into lethal firearms using common household tools.

Consequently, they have become illegal under current UK law.

Detective Superintendent Tim Mustoe of the Metropolitan Police stated that the case underscores the risks posed by individuals like Parr who possess the requisite knowledge to convert blank-firing guns into dangerous weapons.

Mustoe emphasized the importance of reducing the circulation of these potentially harmful firearms, alluding to an active amnesty program encouraging individuals to surrender such guns without legal repercussions.

The firearms in question, manufactured by Turkish companies—including Retay, Ekol, Ceonic, and Blow—were found to be readily convertible, making them illegal under UK regulations.

The ongoing efforts by the police and the National Crime Agency seek to address the threats posed by these weapons and to mitigate their prevalence on the streets of London.