The weapons recovered include sawn-off shotguns, handguns, a viable antique revolver and a Colt .45, plus five deadly machine pistols.
Dozens of rounds of ammunition were also recovered − and every bullet seized represents a potential life saved.
The success comes as we launch a new offensive on drug gangs and bring in officers from specialist units like roads policing, operations, CID, and neighbourhood taskforces in a concerted campaign targeting top-level criminals.
Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Payne, said: “These are really significant gun seizures; most of the weapons we’ve recovered have been found following police proactive operations or pre-planned warrants.
“I don’t think there can be any doubt the seizures have prevented shootings and may well have saved lives.
“There will be no let-up in our focus on drugs gangs and people linked to firearms. And I would urge communities across the West Midlands to work with us and provide information on suspicious activity or people suspected to have access to weapons.”
And he added: “Crimes rates are falling due to the lockdown and that’s presented us with a real opportunity to refocus our resources on criminals who cause the most harm in our communities.
“I’m talking about those lined to gangs, involved in drugs networks or who have access to firearms.
“But we need the public to work with us: provide us with information, report your concerns or suspicions, and we will act to make our communities safer.”
The month started on a positive note with two sawn-off shotguns recovered in two days.
One was found in the garden of a house in Eastwood Road, Edgbaston, on April 1 following a dawn raid by our officers.
A shotgun and ammunition was found in the garden and a 23-year-old man arrested. He was also sought over a violent disorder and is now on remand in prison while enquiries into the firearm continue.
And the following day a 27-year-old man was arrested in Ladywood after he fled from a car we’d pulled over. He was quickly chased down and found with a rucksack containing a short barrelled shotgun, drugs and £900 in cash.
On 9 April, officers seized several firearms from a parked car in Solihull.
Seven guns, including five machine pistols and two handguns, have been recovered for ballistic examination and three men arrested in connection with the find. They have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
And three more firearms − a viable antique pistol and two sawn-off shotguns − were seized along with 50 rounds of ammunition, drugs and £25,000 in cash after we raided a property in Swann Lane, Coventry, on 22 April.
Three men were arrested; one has been charged and remanded in prison while the other two have been bailed pending further enquiries.