I have been thinking long and hard about this, and my decision is to go ahead and post this in the interest of the common good and in the true spirit of Indie production.

Firearms, props or otherwise, and the indies have had a strange relationship over the years. Every year, we hear of incidents involving Independent film-making and the use of weapons. Just recently, UC Irvine Campus was on lock-down because an individual was seen in military fatigues and carrying what appear to be a military weapon. When the dust settled, it was found out to be a student film involving airsofts. Thousands of dollars were expended on the part of the police investigating the incident, public exposure by the media covering the incident made the UC Irvine administration cringe, and the reputation and physical health of the involved parties placed in jeopardy. Why, you ask? Because a student film failed to notify the appropriate authorities and obtain the necessary permits. On the face of it, one could say no harm, no foul. But let's look a little deeper into the what if's. What if the police had confronted the individual student carrying the weapon, and in the confusion, they (the student) made the wrong move. Remember, these situations are very easily misconstrued. A student could of been killed by the police, and on the part of the cops, it would of been a justified shooting, as many of the props out there are very real looking. We strive for realism in our film-making, and that is where we need to be the most careful.

As a set armorer/weapons handler/technical advisor, one of my first concerns is where will the film shoot take place? A closed set, such as WB, Pointe, Sunset/Gower, or any of the other commercial sets, give me more of a sense of relief, as I know these are designated film sets and closed off to the public. But walking onto or hearing what many student films consider a "set" causes me a lot of concern when it comes to the use of weapons.

As a business owner who provides weapons on set, I think it is appropriate to post this, after reading what a few "film-makers" out there think is acceptable. I shudder to think what could happen on their sets. Other armorers out there, please feel free to add to or disagree with my methods. I want this to be an open discussion and dialogue, so as to prevent unnecessary incidents, injuries, and even deaths.

So what I am going to outline is my methods of handling weapons on set.

1. Permits. This is especially important on Non-Studio "sets". By pulling a permit in the affected city or township, it puts the authorities on notice that you are filming in their jurisdiction. A lot of problems can be overcome with this step before they even arise.

2. Notification and Education. Contact the local Law Enforcement in the area you plan to be filming with weapons. Ask their advice. Develop a relationship with them. These are the guys that will be called when someone from the public calls about the "terrorists" or "criminals" running around with guns. 9-11 wasn't that long ago and people still are scared.

3. Training. The actors on the set need to be kept under a tight leash when they have a weapon in their hands. One on one training with them on safety and handling is paramount. This is not only for the realism, but for them to realize these are not toys. How many times do you see actors playing around and wanting photos for their "books" of them holding a gun? As long as it is controlled, no prob, but let them start horsing around, big prob. Weapons will be pointed at people, and people will start freaking out. Rightfully so. Someone points a weapon at me without my knowledge or permission, things are going to get ugly fast. The last actor that did that ended up on his ass with me taking possession of the weapon and the actor was denied the use of a weapon on set. It is that serious. Stress the importance of adherence to the rules up front. I don't care what the actor thinks of themself, they could be Will Smith, John Travolta, or Matt Damon, they will be in for a surprise if they mishandle any weapons on my set.

4. Safety Briefings. Any time weapons are brought on set, a cast/crew safety briefing is held. No exceptions. Allow any person, crew or cast the opportunity to see the weapon and verify it's safety status. Inform everyone, if they see anyone touching the weapons unauthorized or being handled in an inappropriate manner, they are to inform the handler, the AD's, or the armorer immediately.

5. Remain on Set. Any time weapons are on set, a designated trained person is to be in place in order to wrangle and babysit the weapons. In between takes, physically take possession of the weapons, if cast takes a break or leaves the set. You are responsible for those weapons.

6. Never Point the Weapon at Someone! Even blank guns and airsofts. That is the nice thing about film, we can cheat the angles and make it look good, yet remain safe. Many times the angle I set up looks better on film, even though the weapon is not pointed at the actor.

7. When in Doubt, hire a competent and educated Armorer! No other explanation needed.

There are many more points and advice I could give on this subject, and I will as I think of them. But remember first and foremost, SAFETY!!!!!!!! A film is only good if everyone gets to see it and go home at the end. If you want to ask me questions in a private manner, please feel free to PM me or contact me at indie-arms@live.com

That's some great information! Thanks for posting it.

is it possible to have this stickied for all readers? It would be a waste if this thread went out to page 2 and beyond.

I'd have no probs with it.

Tagged as a featured topic... Great info.

First off, thank you. I am honored that my post was considered good enough to be a "stickie". Indie-Arms is all about safety and achieving realism for film, no matter if we are involved in the production or not.

Want I want to do now is talk a little about the famous/infamous orange tips on the airsofts we all love to use on film. There have been many arguments about "they can be removed" or "they cannot be removed".

Read Me: 15 USC 1150.1-5 (http://law.justia.com/us/cfr/title15/15-3.1.3.7.1.html)

So this means, on the Federal level, in order to sell, transport (uh-oh) or "enter into commerce" (trades are included here) orange tip it comes with must be affixed onto the weapon/prop. Some people will argue that this is only on the commercial level. Good point, but that one word, "transport", hits hard.

Now 1150.4 talks about "any toy, look-alike or imitation firearm that will be used only in the theatrical, movie or television industries" can be waived through the Department of Commerce, but remember, you have to provide a sample of what you are asking to be waived and send it to them.

Any one getting a headache yet? I sure am, but let's continue anyway.

So far, we now know that any replica (airsofts included) needs to have the orange tip to be sold, bought, transported (eek!) or entered into trade on the Federal level. Are we screwed? Not yet......but there is more.

Read Me: 15 USC 5001, Chap. 76


If you don't have a splitting headache yet, you have not read it thoroughly.

So is that it? Nope, each state has there own set of laws that apply. So what do we do? First off, contact your local law enforcement in the area of your production, prior to any shoot using prop weapons. Consult them (chances are they will be the ones to show up, not the Feds, unless you are shooting in DC, or on Federal property). Many times, local law enforcement won't have a clue if it is acceptable or not in your jurisdiction. In that case, they have some "discretion" on if you are green lit to have clean props (no orange) on the set. Here we have a unique opportunity to explain your safety and handling procedures, basically you need to show them that you are safe and a professional at this, and you better be. Not knowing what you are talking about or showing up looking like some of the people they have locked up in the back is not going to help your case, i.e. ripped jeans, unshaven, dirty, flip-flops. You know, typical college student attire Just kidding! But you understand the point.

But just so everyone knows, if you Transport, Buy or Sell an airsoft, it must have an orange tip, orange plug or be translucent per Federal Law. Local law can supercede per the code, but when have you ever heard of a law that is more lax than the Federal Statues?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Indie-Arms,

i have also worked in criminal justice and know what police are thinking on this issue

1. yes you need those permits but if you can not afford them, be smart and let campus police, 911 and local police departments know that you are filming with fake guns. (even if you have permits, less headaches)

2. PLEASE have someone there that knows guns,
one of my student films i did use a real gun, but it was also in doors, and i have had training from my work in a prison and i had two active duty military guys and one ex- military female. the kids on set (not in film) grow up on base and know the rules about guns.

3. clear the gun (show that there are no bullets in chamber or clip) before each use and between people.
same thing with hand-cuffs do not put cuffs on someone with out showing them you have a key and that it works for that set; also double lock them so they do not get tight and harm them. i was an ex-extra on a film and they wanted to hand cuff us, but would not show me the key nor would they double lock them, i was kicked off for telling them they had to show us the keys and double lock them by law. they tried to tell me that they don't double lock.

which brings me to
4. don't have people in charge of things they know nothing about it.

if you don;t know that hand-cuffs double lock you should not be in charge of the actors and the crew working with them.
if you do not know firearms safety and how to use a gun,
you should not be in charge of them or the people using them.

the same can be said for fight scenes.

if you have any questions about these areas feel free to ask me.

film and criminal justice are my true loves

A short film i'm currently writing is going to have a shot which involves the character putting a firearm into a bag - this is the only shot and it's being filmed in my house out of sight.

I'm not taking it anywhere else, and the gun isn't real but it looks rather realistic. Do you think there'd be any implications with the authorities if I showed this in my film? considering it is a fake and a prop?

When you are using a prop weapon in public you have to have an off duty cop on set.

"they could be Will Smith, John Travolta, or Matt Damon, they will be in for a surprise if they mishandle any weapons on my set."
and you would never work in Hollywood again.