Answer to Question 7.
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7. We don't
have the budget for a Professional Armourer but a friend has a gun we
can use and he has a gun licence.
Will it be OK to use his gun or use him as our armourer?
A.
The simple answer is No,
Firearm Licences are specific to the person named on the license and are issued for a specific purpose - No other type of firearm licence holder can hand a firearm ( loaded or otherwise )
( working or not working ) to an unlicensed person and as most actors would not be licensed
for that type of firearm, an additional offence would be committed (and as it would be
recorded on film, would be evidence for a prosecution). Only a Licensed Film Armourer can hand a firearm to an unlicensed person
The development of the Film Industry
Armourer licence system worldwide was to eliminate
firearms accidents on film sets and provide an exemption
for actors so that they could use any type of firearm in
the course of the film production without contravening any
firearms laws.
Refer to:-
Film and Television
Safety Guidance Notes
Firearms Act (VIC)
Firearms Act (NSW)
Firearms Act (QLD)
Firearms Act (SA)
Toy Pistols, Imitation
Pistols,Water Pistols painted black,
The use of SWAT Team outfits or Para-Military Outfits are also
of concern
to the police when they are used in public places or used
in such a way that the public might mistake you for a
"Bad Guy".
If you intend to use such items in
your film it is most important that you contact a Licensed
Armourer and the Police
Film Office in advance of your production so that they can
advise you of what is required and the police can advise their
other various departments about your filming
locations and thus avoiding any unnecessary Police call
outs.
The Police have been known to charge film makers for
the cost of these call out's, when film makers have not informed Police
of their use of Firearms or Explosions in public places.
Police have also charged Un-Licensed persons working as Armourers on film sets
as well as the film's producers and have shut down the film production.
The Victoria Police are
Very Supportive of Film Makers and the Police Film Office
should be considered to be part of the production's behind
the scenes team..
The Police provide a service to help you achieve these Action
and Special Effects shots.
They will Not Hinder you, but you must
advise them of your intended filming.
VICTORIA POLICE FILM
& TELEVISION OFFICE
Media & Corporate Communications Division
E-mail film.tv@police.vic.gov.au
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