FIREARMS

All pertinent federal and provincial laws and regulations should be complied with when
transporting and handling weapons/ammunition/powder. Please note that for the purpose
of this guideline, the words “gun” and “weapon” may be considered interchangeable.

1. Guns are dangerous and should be treated as loaded at all times.

2. Live ammunition should NEVER be used.

3. A gun should not be pointed at anyone, including the user, under any
circumstances, especially those loaded with blank ammunition.

4. Never indulge in horseplay while in charge of, or responsible for, any weapon.

5. A “No Smoking” rule should apply to any area where ammunition or powder is
stored, and signs to this effect should be posted.

6. All weapons on a set should be in the care and charge of the designated handler
(Weapons Handler) who should be:
a) in possession of a valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate, a Permit to Carry
a Restricted Weapon, and a Weapons Specialist Permit (for use in the
motion picture industry under Firearm Act);
b) be familiar with any weapons being used, and their safety requirements;
c) be familiar with the loading and unloading procedures for such weapons;
and
d) be familiar with the applicable laws and regulations concerning the
handling, transportation and storing of any blank ammunition, powder,
etc., which may be required.

NOTE: A restricted weapon is one which has been manufactured to fire live
ammunition. A restricted weapon which has been modified by a qualified
Gunsmith is still a restricted weapon. The Firearms Act requires every restricted
weapon owner to have a license or valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate. A
firearm which has been manufactured to fire blanks only is not a restricted firearm
but should be treated as if it was.

7. Practical weapons should not be used where a replica would suffice.

8. Only a gun that has been manufactured for this purpose, and built accordingly by
qualified personnel, should be used to fire a charge.
9. No gun that is to be fired should be modified in any way, unless this has been
done by a qualified Gunsmith with the approval of the manufacturer.

10. No gun should be modified except as described in No. 9.

11. The Handler is to be responsible for:

a) Checking weapons before and after each use;
b) Cleaning the weapons daily;
c) Keeping a daily inventory of weapons in their care; and
d) Making sure that any legal requirements regarding the storage and use of
weapons and ammunition are complied with at all times. The Firearms Act
and its related regulations govern the possession, transport, use and
storage of firearms in Canada.

12. Never fire a gun with dirt, sand or any unapproved blockage in the barrel. Never
put a weapon down in such a way that dirt or sand might cause blockage.
In the event of a misfire or jam, no one other than the Handler should attempt any
remedy. If the Handler is unsure as to what is causing the problem, the weapon
should be taken out of use until such time as the cause can be determined. The
weapon should not be used again until the Handler informs the Director or
Producer that it is safe to do so.

HANDLING OF GUNS ON SET

13. Any gun brought onto the set should be registered with, and placed in the care of,
the Handler.
a) Any gun not immediately required on set should be secured under lock
and key by the Handler.
b) Guns should be removed from Actors or Stunt People between takes
wherever possible and kept in a safe place.

14. The Handler should be allowed time to fulfill the following:

a) To discuss with the Directors and Assistant Directors how any weapons
might be used in a particular scene;
b) To point out any safety requirements needed; and
c) To make sure that any Actor or Stunt Person using the weapons is fully
aware of the safety rules for the handling and firing of such weapons.
NOTE: No crew or other “off camera” personnel should be in the vicinity of a
gun being fired without the minimum protection of safety goggles and ear plugs.
A shatterproof clear plastic shield should be placed between any camera crew and
a fired weapon which is directed toward or in the direction of the camera.

15. It should be the responsibility of only the Handler to load and unload weapons. If
this is unreasonable, e.g., in the case of large numbers, then the Handler may
designate assistants to assist, under his or her supervision, the handling, loading
and unloading of weapons.
NOTE: These assistants should be chosen only by the Handler who should have
adequate time to familiarize them with the procedures expected of them and the
safe handling of the weapons and ammunition in question.

16. Only the appropriate type of blank ammunition should be used. Ammunition
made specifically for theatrical use should be obtained in the correct load for the
effect required.
a) In the event that crimped blanks (sometimes referred to as “acorn” blanks
because they look like small acorns) are used they should only be
commercially manufactured and never reloaded. When crimped blanks are
used consideration should be given to the following safety precautions:
(i) shatterproof clear plastic shield;
(ii) eye and ear protection; and
(iii)sound blankets over camera, operator and focus puller.
b) Shot gun popper loads or dog training loads should not be used as they
may contain wads that become projectiles and may cause injury. Only
those blanks specifically designed for use in motion picture production
should be used.
c) Factory loaded ammunition should never be tampered with.
d) Any safety guidelines or specifications, laid out in handbooks supplied by
the manufacturer of a weapon, should be made known to and must be
adhered to by all concerned.

17. The crew and other personnel on set should be warned prior to any weapons being
fired.

18. This guideline should be attached to or noted in the safety section of the Call
Sheet when a script requires weapons to be fired on set.

19. If a firearm needs to be fired directly at a camera consideration should be given to

locking off the camera. A shatterproof clear plastic shield should be placed in
front of the focus puller and blanket over camera person.
20. Any of the firearms that eject a spent casing should be tested to determine the angle of
discharge of the spent casing. Make sure all unnecessary people are cleared from the
area of the discharge. When actors, cameras or crews must be in the area where
casings will be traveling, ensure that they are all at a safe distance or shielded from the
firearm.

21. Check with local municipalities to see if there is a requirement for an Emergency Task
Force Explosive Disposal Unit (ETF) to be present. The Toronto Film Commissioner
requires film companies to be supervised by ETF Technicians as part of the permit to
have gun fire.