What are The Rules for Using Prop Guns on A Set?

A prop is a type of mechanical, usually air-powered, firearm that is used primarily in theatrical presentations (stage performances and films). Prop guns have been used for centuries and are typically made of metal with wooden grips. In many cases they look completely functional and realistic. They may be triggered by either hand or foot and may fire pyrotechnic charges.

Modern Versions of Prop Guns

The term 'prop' comes from the fact that these weapons can be acquired cheaply from theatrical supply stores because they are replicas of real weapons, not just toys. Most prop makers cut costs by often making the triggers pull-only, having a very heavy trigger pull and not including a firing mechanism. 

 

Modern versions may also have a firework cartridge actuated with a switch or button activated by squeezing the grip. In historical reenactments, they are used to keep costs down as real firearms are expensive; even modern blank ammunition is significantly more expensive than blanks used in film or theater work. 

Props: Working Mechanism

Hundreds of movies have been filmed in Hollywood. And many famous actors have played cowboys and gunslingers, like Clint Eastwood and John Wayne, who are famous for carrying a six-gun. But there is something no Western movie depicts: the working mechanism of blank guns.

The firearms used in Hollywood films are often replicas or blanks that fire a bullet made from wax or paper. But these props are still potentially dangerous to the people who handle them because of the amount of force that they can generate when fired. 

The guns used in the movie Batman Begins, for example, could shoot out a round of bullets that had 1.5 times more force than one from a .45 caliber Colt automatic pistol. The pressure needed to fully load the guns was about 1,500 pounds per square inch, according to John G. Mathews, an expert in mechanical engineering at the University of Toronto. 

The pressure generated when the trigger is pulled is then transmitted to a simulated bullet and piston inside the gun barrel. The piston is connected to a spring-loaded valve that seals the end of a compressed gas cylinder inside what looks like the gun's stock or handle. The gas cylinder is filled with pressurized air or inert gasses like carbon dioxide or nitrogen.

Rules of Using Props:

Hollywood sets are often fraught with potential hazards. One of the most common threats is the production professional that brings a prop on set and thinks it's all legit. As these people are often working with actors, this can seem like a dangerous situation for everyone involved. 

But Hollywood has some strict rules about using your props in front of other professionals, including what to do if you get stopped by the police or any officials (the best rules involve getting in contact with the stunt coordinator).

The following are the rules Hollywood mandates for using your prop guns (no matter the size of your gun or its power) on a film set.

 

I. It's illegal to bring a gun on a set without permission from the police or hire a bodyguard.

II. Unless you have permission from the police and/or your stunt coordinator, it is illegal to use any firearms on set, whether it's designed for that purpose or not. You must have proof of insurance and authorization to carry such weapons at all times (this is usually done in case of jail time).

III. Once you have permission to use your prop, you will have to keep them hidden from view at all times unless it's needed for a specific scene. This means the guns cannot be seen on you or in your vehicles.

IV. If you are stopped by law enforcement with any firearm on you, do not dispute their authority and follow all instructions, even if it means jail time. You can contact the production company to let them know what has happened and where you are so that they can get in touch with whoever gave you permission to use the prop guns on set (if any).

 

V. If you are stopped by law enforcement with a firearm on set, it's best to be "clean" and not argue with them. You will then have a better chance of getting the guns back to the production company, or get to the location where your guns are being kept.

A Safety Tip!

Do not treat officers of the law as if you have an attitude problem. They have seen it all, and now they have even more reason to get you off their backs as soon as possible so they can take care of other crimes immediately. I'm sure there may be some who would argue that subjecting a prop owner to jail time is absurd and unnecessary.