| FIRST RULE: Never utilize any type of prop weapon without notifying the local law enforcement authorities. In most cases they will require that an officer be assigned to the production set during usage. More than once, a Director and his Prop Master have been arrested because they did not follow this simple rule. | |
| "RUBBER" Guns: These are full-sized exact replicas cast from a high-density urethane rubber. They are extremely durable and inflexible. There are no moving parts and have the look of a "real" pistol while in the holster or drawn. Distance from the lens as close as 10 feet. If scenes don't require a firing or functioning pistol, these will work perfectly. Soft "RUBBER" Guns: Same as above but, cast from a much softer rubber for gags where an actor has to fall on top of or in close proximity to a dropped pistol. Does not look as clean as a hard rubber version and is used where injury to the actor is a concern. Required Oversight: Standard precautions due to appearance. Props Manager should keep locked up when not being used. |  |
 | "FUNCTION" Guns: Required Oversight: Standard precautions due to appearance. Props Manager should keep locked up when not being used. |
"BLANK-FIRE" Non-Guns: Also known as "SUICIDE Guns" Required Oversight: Enhanced precautions due to inherent dangers in usage. Props Manager should designate a Gun Handler for exclusive control. Must keep locked up when not being used. |  |
 | "BLANK-FIRE" Live-Guns: Real, serial-numbered pistols with a minimum of modifications to fire "blank" ammunition which is sized exactly as real ammo. These are used in scenes where muzzle-flashes are called for. Blank-cartridges can be custom loaded for daylight or low-light use for proper on-film registry. These are extremely dangerous and require professional on-set and off-set oversight. Actors have died from blanked firearms on several occasions and production insurance rates for real guns on-set are prohibitively expensive. Add to that the expense of the gun wrangler, and a simple 30-second gun fight could cost $20,000 or more. Required Oversight: Extreme precautions due to inherent dangers in usage. Gun Wrangler has exclusive control. Actors will need a special policy if a real firearm is operated anywhere near them. Extra precautions are needed for direct at-camera shots due to damaging muzzle flash and burnt powder. In most jurisdictions, these "live" guns are prohibited from use. Actors must not have a criminal record, subject to a restraining order or prohibited otherwise from handling a real firearm. |
| "BLANKS": The blank cartridge on the right is the proprietary (8-mm) blank cartridge for exclusive use in blank-fire NON-GUNS. As you can see, it is intentionally sized and shaped so as not to duplicate any existing production live ammunition. Only one power load available for use in semi-automatics. Very loud and requires ear protection for all persons closer than 10-feet outdoors and 20-feet indoors. Because of the location of the vents on the "BLANK-FIRE" Non-Gun, extra precautions must be taken to protect the eyes of all actors in attendance. New York State recognizes Blanks as "pyrotechnic device" which require a licensed Pyrotechnician on-set. The blank cartridge on the left is a custom-made cartridge designed to be fired in a live pistol chambered for 9mm ammunition. It can be filled with specially blended smokeless gunpowder / powdered metals / chemicals to produce the familiar white / yellow muzzle flash for the particular type of recording media being utilized. The expelling gasses and flame from the muzzle of the firearm can and has killed. ACTORS WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED WITH BLANK GUNS |  |
(No ATF License needed to buy blank cartridges-local laws may still apply) Black Powder Blanks Recently, ATF received inquiries regarding whether black powder blanks, and transactions involving black powder used in manufacturing black powder blanks, are regulated under Federal explosives laws. Black powder “blanks”—such as blanks used in cowboy reenactments—are made with black powder instead of smokeless powder to create more realistic smoke effects. The Federal explosives laws at 18 U.S.C. § 845(a)(5) and the regulations at 27 CFR 555.141(b) state that commercially manufactured black powder (1) in quantities that do not exceed fifty pounds, and (2) that is used solely for sporting, recreational, or cultural purposes in antique firearms, is exempt from the regulations. Black powder blanks are designed for use in modern firearms, typically .45 caliber cartridges, and therefore do not qualify for this exemption. Under 18 U.S.C. § 845(a)(4), small arms ammunition and components thereof are exempt from the Chapter 40. While black powder alone does not constitute ammunition, black powder blanks used in small arms are considered small arms ammunition under the Federal explosives laws. Therefore, an ATF license or permit is not required to purchase black powder blanks. This exemption, however, does not pertain to the purchase of black powder for the purpose of manufacturing black powder blanks. Therefore, the receipt of black powder for the manufacture of black powder ammunition, including the manufacture of black powder blanks, is subject to the regulations of 27 CFR Part 555. Individuals or companies that wish to acquire black powder to assemble black powder blank cartridges must possess an ATF explosives license or permit. Any black powder acquired must be stored in accordance with 27 CFR 555 Subpart K. | |
