Professional Documents
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Live Ammunition
Live Ammunition
SAFETY BULLETIN #2
SPECIAL USE OF "LIVE AMMUNITION"
THIS BULLETIN SHALL ONLY BE ISSUED IF "LIVE AMMUNITION"
WILL BE UTILIZED
On controlled second units, there may be a very rare occasion when "LIVE
AMMUNITION" must be used to obtain an effect.
In those very special circumstances, "LIVE AMMUNITION" may be used only if the
following criteria and special conditions have been met.
The Property Master (or, in his/her absence, the weapons handler and/or other
appropriate personnel determined by the locality or the needs of the production) will be
the individual acting in the interest of the producer for obtaining, maintaining and
handling all firearms for the production. He/she will work in conjunction with the
production's designated Safety Representative to assure that the following standards
are adhered to.
3. This special use of "LIVE AMMUNITION" shall only be performed at a site that is
suitable for the use of "LIVE AMMUNITION" (i.e., a military, police, or private
gun range, the deck of a vessel, or in an area deemed safe for this procedure).
4. Additionally, the permission and/or a permit shall be obtained from the authority
having jurisdiction (AHJ) (sheriff, police, county, city, township, military base, or
agency having authority to issue this type of permit).
5. The insurance company providing insurance for the production should be notified
of the intention to use "LIVE AMMUNITION" and the circumstances surrounding
the special use and conditions. Approval must be obtained for the use of "LIVE
AMMUNITION."
7. Notification of this type of activity shall be made on the call-sheet. If the call-
sheet is not available before the date the "LIVE AMMUNITION" is to be used,
advanced notice is to be given.
9. The SAFETY MEETING shall include an “on-site walk through” and/or “dry-run”
with the Property Master (or, in his/her absence, the weapons handler
and/or other appropriate personnel determined by the locality or the needs
of the production), Range Master (if applicable), designated production
representative, and anyone that will be using and/or handling the firearms. An
understanding of the intended action, possible deviations, plans to abort,
emergency procedures, and chain of command should be made clear.
10. Cast and crew members shall be limited to those members absolutely required to
capture the effect. No minor(s) may be present in any scene or in the vicinity
when "LIVE AMMUNITION" is being fired.
11. The Property Master (or, in his/her absence, the weapons handler and/or
other appropriate personnel determined by the locality or the needs of the
production) with the appropriate licenses required by the authority having
jurisdiction (AHJ), shall procure and maintain the proper firearms to achieve the
effect and determine that the firearm is in good and safe working condition. The
firearms will be kept in the control of only the Property Master (or, in his/her
absence, the weapons handler and/or other appropriate personnel determined by
the locality or the needs of the production). SUCH FIREARMS WILL NOT BE
USED AS PROPS.
12. On days where the production will be utilizing firearms for "LIVE AMMUNITION"
firing and have replicas and/or a “prop firearm,” the Property Master (or, in
his/her absence, the weapons handler and/or other appropriate personnel
determined by the locality or the needs of the production) shall identify the
"LIVE AMMUNITION" firearms by color or some other easily recognizable
means of identification. These types of firearms shall never be kept together
and/or stored together.
13. All "LIVE AMMUNITION" shall be kept in the control of the licensed Property
Master (or, in his/her absence, the weapons handler and/or other
appropriate personnel determined by the locality or the needs of the
production). Additionally, it shall be stored in a manner to keep it safe and
secure and in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations
related to the storage and use of "LIVE AMMUNITION."
14. "LIVE AMMUNITION" will not be kept on the set for any longer than is necessary
to complete the scene in which it is being used. "LIVE AMMUNITION" shall be
secured in a locked box and clearly marked in a manner to differentiate it from
blank ammunition.
15. "LIVE AMMUNITION" will be transported in compliance with all applicable laws
and regulations to and from the set on the day of its use.
16. While on a gun range and/or military base, the Range Master shall have overall
control and final authority of the range and every person present, including the
production cast and crew and the Property Master (or, in his/her absence, the
weapons handler and/or other appropriate personnel determined by the locality
or the needs of the production).
17. All safety procedures and requirements shall be strictly followed. There shall be
no deviation of the intended sequence without the permission of the Range
Master or Property Master (or, in his/her absence, the weapons handler
and/or other appropriate personnel determined by the locality or the needs
of the production) depending on who is in charge of the specific location to be
utilized.
18. Immediately prior to the firearm discharge, a rehearsal shall be held to ensure
that all who will be present know the assigned location, the safe zones that have
been identified, and to ensure that no one is down in the range area. Upon
completion of the rehearsal, a formal announcement shall be made to all those
present that "LIVE AMMUNITION" will be fired.
19. Particular attention shall be paid to the line of fire. Ensure the area is clear of all
personnel and be aware of possible ricochet hazards and/or the ejection of hot
shell casings.
GENERAL SAFE USE AND HANDLING OF FIREARMS
2. NEVER PLACE your finger on the trigger until you are ready to shoot. Keep
your finger alongside the firearm and off the trigger.
5. NEVER discharge a firearm when the barrel has become clogged. The Property
Master (or, in his/her absence, the weapons handler and/or other appropriate
personnel determined by the locality or the needs of the production) should
inspect the firearm and barrel before and after every firing sequence.
9. Once the firearm has been loaded with the "LIVE AMMUNITION" the firearm is
to be considered “hot.”
The Property Master (or, in his/her absence, the weapons handler and/or other
appropriate personnel determined by the locality or the needs of the production)
is responsible for the following:
2. Ensuring that all firearms which will be used on the production (whether company
owned, rented, or privately owned) are given to and are in possession of the
Property Master (or, in his/her absence, the weapons handler and/or other
appropriate personnel determined by the locality or the needs of the
production).
4. Their own qualifications for working with the type of firearms being used, the
knowledge of their safe handling, use, and safekeeping, and familiarity with the
"LIVE AMMUNITION" to be utilized.
5. Seeking expert advice if he or she is not familiar with the firearm to be used.
6. Ensuring current licenses and permits have been obtained for the possession
and use of production firearms.
7. The knowledge of the applicable laws governing transportation, storage, and use
of firearms and be in compliance with those laws.
9. Ensuring that a sufficient amount of time has been allotted for training and
rehearsal.
10. The ability to demonstrate prior knowledge of the safe handling of firearms and
"LIVE AMMUNITION."
12. Ensuring that any actor who is required to stand near the line of fire be allowed to
witness the loading of the firearms.
13. The possession of all firearms except during actual filming or rehearsal.
Afterward, the Property Master (or, in his/her absence, the weapons handler
and/or other appropriate personnel determined by the locality or the needs
of the production) will immediately unload the "LIVE AMMUNITION" from the
firearm.
14. Ensuring that all firearms are cleaned and checked at the close of each day's
shooting.
15. Ensuring that all firearms and "LIVE AMMUNITION" are accounted for before
any personnel is allowed to leave the area.
16. Ensuring that an inspection is made of the set (location) and all spent
"brass casings" and unspent "live ammunition" have been picked up and
disposed of properly.
NOTE: The Term "LIVE AMMUNITION," as used herein, does not include
projectiles (regardless of the material or manufacture), which are
intended solely for the purpose of creating bullet-hit type special
effects, such as, projectiles fired from Air Rifles, Air Pistols, Air
and/or Gas-operated Capsule Guns, Paintball Guns, Blow Guns,
Squib-fired Trunion Guns, Crossbows or Crossbow-type devices,
Slingshots or any other type of special effects device designed to
propel any projectile intended to create a bullet -hit or recoil type
special effect. Additionally, any propelled projectile required to be
photographed in flight shall likewise not be considered "LIVE
AMMUNITION." All such projectiles described are to be supervised
and operated under the direction of the licensed Special Effects
Technician in charge.