Codes of Safe Practices

FIREARMS

1. TREAT ALL FIREARMS AS THOUGH THEY ARE LOADED.

2. DO NOT ENGAGE IN HORSEPLAY WITH ANY FIREARMS OR WEAPONS.

3. NEVER POINT A FIREARM AT ANYONE, INCLUDING YOURSELF, AND IF CALLED UPON TO DO SO, CONSULT THE PROPERTY MASTER.

4. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, SIMULATED OR DUMMY WEAPONS SHOULD BE UTILIZED.

5. LIVE AMMUNITION IS NOT TO BE BROUGHT ONTO A STUDIO LOT, STAGE OR LOCATION.

6. All firearms brought onto a studio lot or taken on location shall be turned into that Department which is responsible for and knowledgeable in the use of firearms. Privately owned weapons or gun belts which could contain ammunition are specifically subject to this requirement. This means that ALL firearms must be placed in the custody of that Department designated by the studio for the responsibility for firearms.

7. Unless actually filming or rehearsing, all firearms shall be secured by the PROPERTY MASTER.

8. When a scene is completed, the firearm shall be unloaded.

9. Instruction in the proper and safe use of firearms is the responsibility of the PROPERTY MASTER. The PROPERTY MASTER should be qualified with the firearms, and, if not familiar with the type being used, should consult an expert. The PROPERTY MASTER shall not issue a firearm without first determining that the person who will use that firearm is knowledgeable in its use.

10. No person is to be coaxed, coerced or otherwise forced into handling a firearm. Before using any firearm, make sure you fully understand the operating features and safety devices on the firearm, and the precautions to be taken in handling a firearm.

11. Make sure firearms and weapons are checked before each usage, and that they are cleaned, checked and inventoried at the close of each day's shooting.

12. Loading of firearms shall only be done by the PROPERTY MASTER or by the experienced persons working under his/her direct supervision and control. Such loading shall only be done just before the firearms are to be used in a scene.

13. Hand loading or altering factory loaded blank ammunition shall be done only by licensed Powdermen.

14. NEVER discharge a firearm when the barrel has become clogged with dirt or foreign material.

15. Do not lay down a firearm in such a manner that dirt can clog the barrel or that working parts can be damaged.

16. On all loaded weapons equipped with a safety, the safety should be used in the safest proper manner consistent with the design of the firearm, its stage of readiness to fire, and its intended use.

17. When a weapon jams or malfunctions, corrections shall be made only by a person experienced to work on firearms.

18. Do not attempt to adjust, modify or repair a firearm.

19. The PROPERTY MASTER shall determine the lightest and safest blank ammunition loads possible consistent with the need, and all personnel and the Director shall be informed.

20. Utilize camera personnel shields whenever the camera personnel are to get a point-blank shot.

21. Utilize protective shields for all personnel who will be within close proximity of any blanks fired from a weapon.

22. NEVER store live ammunition and blank ammunition in the same box.

23. The PROPERTY MASTER should be knowledgeable and adhere to all manufacturers' warnings, expiration dates, storage and handling procedures of all blank ammunition.

24. Prior to shooting blanks on an exterior set, the production company should fill out an exterior shot checklist.