Theatre Weapon Safety

By Jerry Abels, reprinted with permission. Jerry is an ex-cop and a great stage manager.

WEAPONS SAFETY

In many productions the use of a weapon by an actor is essential to the development of a scene or a character. A realistic appearing weapon is vital to the realism the actor and director are trying to portray. The one thing no one wants to be real, however, is the injury or death that a weapon can cause when not properly used. Because of this, safety is the first and most important consideration in the use of any weapon.

Please note the use of the phrase “any weapon”. Most of us think of a firearm. . .a rifle, or pistol, or maybe shotgun, when we think of a weapon. Many other implements are also weapons. These include knives (of all kinds), swords, spears, maces, bows, even clubs and staves. In short, if it can be used to harm or in combat, it’s a weapon, and if it’s a weapon, safety has to come first.

General Safety Rules

1. Never use a “live” weapon on stage. A live weapon is any weapon which is combat ready.

This means firearms capable of firing a projectile, knives and swords with sharpened edges or points etc. Only use appropriate prop weapons.

2. ABSOLUTELY NO HORSEPLAY at any time with any weapon. Never fence, stab threaten, or even point a weapon at any time except under the controlled conditions of rehearsal. There should never be horseplay on stage at any time anyway, but with weapons this is critical. This rule applies even with plastic fake or prop weapons. They should be treated with the same respect as a live weapon.
3. IF IT’S NOT YOUR PROP, DON’T TOUCH IT. The first rule of props! ! ! Never handle a weapon unless it is assigned to you, and never let anyone else handle your weapon except the stage manager, props master, or armorer (if your production has one).
4. All weapons are to be kept locked up at all times except when they are actually needed on stage. This means that you pick up your weapon just before your entrance and turn it is immediately upon coming off stage. There can be no exceptions to this.
5. The stage manager is responsible for securing and issuing all weapons. In a complex production when the stage manager is too busy, or if the stage manager is unfamiliar with weapons, this duty may be delegated to the properties master or to a designated armorer with the agreement of the Vice President of Production.
6. In the case of combat arms (swords, knives, arrows, maces etc.), Specially designed props weapons should be used whenever possible. If live steel must be used (as in a sword fight where the sound of steel on steel is essential), all edges and points must be dulled and the weapons inspected before each rehearsal or performance.
7. Prior to using any weapons in rehearsal or performance, the entire cast and crew shall be instructed in weapon safety and specific safety procedures for the weapon being used by an individual who is trained and familiar with the weapons being used. Special instruction shall be given to all persons involved with the handling and use of the weapons.
8. Any injuries, no matter how minor shall be immediately reported to the director or stage manager and to the theatre manager.
9. Any weapon found lying around unattended or being handled by an unauthorized person shall be immediately reported to the stage manager.

Firearms Safety

1. ALWAYS ASSUME ANY FIREARM IS LOADED AND TREAT ALL FIREARMS AS THOUGH THEY ARE LOADED. Even if the weapon is a plastic toy or prop weapon, Firearms must at all times be treated with extreme respect. Even if you’ve verified that it is not loaded, treat it as if it were for the sake of others.
2. NEVER POINT A FIREARM AT ANYONE, EVEN ON STAGE. If the script calls for you to point the weapon at another character, point it slightly upstage of that person. To the audience it will look exactly like it were pointed at your intended victim.
3. NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, USE A WEAPON CAPABLE OF FIRING LIVE AMMUNITION. Whenever possible, use a non firing prop weapon. If firing the weapon is necessary for the production, obtain a stage weapon that fires the appropriate blanks. These can be purchased or rented through a Props outlet, and sometimes even borrowed from another theatre. This is one time you should not rely on your friend with the gun collection who has helped you with props before.
4. If you have to fire a weapon on stage, it is not to be loaded until just before you go on stage for that scene. The firearm is to be unloaded immediately upon coming off stage.
5. Whenever a firearm is being passed to another person, the person receiving the weapon must do a “chamber check” to determine whether or not the weapon is loaded. This is to be done in the presence of the person handing you the weapon. NO EXCEPTIONS.
6. Even a firearm designed to fire blanks can cause injury. Absolutely no horseplay is permitted with a firearm. All of the rules for weapons in general apply to firearms.
7. Don’t dry fire: Dry firing is pulling the trigger without a round in the chamber. This is hard on the mechanism of the weapon and can cause serious damage. Not to mention that it is horseplay.
8. Never take your weapon out of the theatre. Stage props look very realistic, they’re supposed to. Police take a dim view of people waving guns around or having them in vehicles, and that stage prop which cannot fire a live round will look mighty real from a distance or in the dark. The nicest thing that can happen is a long “vacation” in bad company and poor surroundings. (prison food isn’t that great either)
9. Clean the firearm immediately after every use. As a part of your post show duties the firearm must be cleaned before leaving the theatre even if you’ve only fired 1 round. Gunpowder is very corrosive to the metal of a weapon and will damage it and cause misfires.
10. The firearm and all blank ammunition must be kept under lock and key at all times when not actually on stage. Only the stage manager or designated armorer should have access to the key.