Southwset Armoury Film Support

I am an Actor and Armourer for renactments and acting

 I am an Actor and Armourer for re- enactments and acting purposes. I have come back into screen acting in the past 10yrs and decided to bring both of my passions together. Having done courses with Firearms for Film & TV and the lack of Armorers for small projects in the Southwest I decided to start my own. I have done mainly small project and student short films but can cover larger projects.

I’m a member of the National Firearms Association and a member of a Cat5 full bore rifle range.

 So, I use genuine firearms weekly.to keep my eye in with .22 rim fire rifles and long barrel pistols to .556 & 223 Semi Auto rifles to big bore 308 rifles for long distance target shooting.

I can provided modern Real Imitation Firearms known as Soft-air RIFs, that look and feel like the real thing that are controlled by special regulations under the Police & Crime act.

Along with the RIFs I also have access to Blank Fring Pistols again these are prohibited weapons rules without the right reasons for owning.

I always assume that all firearms are live weapons and act accordingly while they are on Set, always Treating them as dangerous loaded weapons. This way those who are using them know how to handle them in a safe responsible manner.

I work with the Director & D.O.Ps to get the best and safest shots of the actors always using the firearms in a safe manner. This has become more prevalent since the Problems on the Production of the 2021 Film “RUST” during which the D.O.P HAYLNA HUTCHINS died because of poor on set saft regarding Firearms.



National Firarms Association

https://www.nationalfirearmsassociation.co.uk/

THE NATIONAL FIREARMS ASSOCIATION WORKS TO PROMOTE THE 
PROPER, LEGAL, AND SAFE HANDLING OF FIREARMS.

Our mission is to encourage, support, and defend all lawful firearms-related activities, whether they be real or theatrical, including everyone's right to own full-bore, airgun, and airsoft weapons, as well as their right to education about firearms safety and the rights to justice and freedom in the UK.

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Together with armourers and training organisations, we regulate the responsible use of guns in the film and television industries. We provide updates and notifications on legislation as well as information on all facets of safe and responsible firearm use to our members.

Health & Saftey

WHEN filming with firearms

Do YOU need to inform anyonE?

If you are using any form of firearm, replica or real, where they can be seen or heard by the public, then the police will need to be informed. They will advise on what precautions need to be undertaken in order to prevent the general public from being alarmed, such as signage and police presence depending on the area. We can assist you in liaising with the police and act as a point of contact during filming.

Are blanks dangerous?

Blank ammunition can cause injury, and in some extreme cases, death if used incorrectly. The armourer is responsible for instructing everyone on their use prior to any firing taking place and ensuring safety during and after firing. There are some specialist types of blank ammunition which can be safely used at short range. Even non-firing weapons can cause distress and alarm if misused, both to the cast and crew as well as the general public. The latter usually resulting in a visit from firearms police.

What is an armourer and do i need one?

An armourer is an employee of the company that owns the weaponry and holds the necessary licences. They are responsible for the firearms and their use on set. This includes their security, their safe handling and that all persons handling them are suitably trained. Bare Arms Armourers are all ex-military personnel who are experts in handling firearms and can instruct and advise on how they would be used for real.

Any weapon that requires a licence requires an armourer. Even realistic dummy weapons can cause problems if mishandled and your local police force may require you to have an experienced armourer supervising their use if they are being used in or around the public.

What training do performers need to have in order to use firearms?

Legally no training is required for performers to handle weapons, but being safe with firearms takes common sense and a reasonable amount of training. I would always recommend a day of dedicated teaching for key cast. Being confident and competent however can take much longer. So I Recommend the following Organisations

 Firearm Training for Film & TV LTD   https://www.firearmtraining.co.uk/courses

& Arms Bare Arms   https://barearms.co.uk/

They both run full 2 & 3 day courses and Specialist Theatrical Firearms Courses, which are designed to take a novice performer and give them the skills and knowledge to be safe on set with a variety of weaponry.

I recommend all specialists to have completed if they are non-military. Along with both of these I can also offer On-set and one-on-one training that can also be arranged on request. Working effectively with firearms requires a solid understanding of their mechanics, as well as the knowledge of how they are used for real. Above all, they need to be treated with the utmost care in order to keep cast and crew safe when they are being used.

There are many different types of firearms that can be used in a theatrical setting, each with their own positive and negative aspects. What works for stage, won’t necessarily work for screen, and what is suitable for a wide shot, might not be suitable for a close-up. I can guide and advise to find the most suitable set of solutions for your needs.

On set Firearms Safety Officer.



So with Reference to the Health & Safety Executive Information Sheet I follow the following Producers and Rule on Set with reference to the supply and use of all Firearms, R.I.Fs and Dummy Firearms at all times.

After the Problems on the Production of the Film 2021 “RUST” 

during which the D.O.P HAYLNA HUTCHINS died because of poor on set saft regarding Firearms. Whether the film is using R.I.Fs (soft-air) or Blank Firing or Live rounds they should always be treated as live firing weapon’s and should be treated as such for the safety of the performers and all Crew and visitors to the set. So please read conditions of use bellow.

1. Whether the film is using Real Imitation Firearms or R.I.Fs (soft-air) or Blank Firing or Live rounds all firearms will always Be-

     ASSUMED TO BE AND TREATED AS LVE FIRING WEPON’S and will be treated as such at all times.

2. I will cover Normal Safety Procedures for all Actors & Stunt Person’s and will oversee film direction and D.O.P assistance for scene filming with drawn Firearms.

3 When D.O.Ps & Directors are setting the Shot I shall be consulted about how this is to be done when Firearms are DRAWN FOR THE REQUIRED SCENE.

4 Responsibility for contacting the Police &/or Other Authorities for the use of Firearms during the filming process shall be the responsibilities of the Producer’s & Directors Team.

5 A SECURE AREA WILL ALWAYS PROVIDED by the PRODUCTION COMPANY FOR THE SAFE STORAGE ON SET FOR ALL FIREARMS.

 6 While Firearms are in view during filming notification and Security shall be provided by the production team to keep the General Public Aware that firearms are in use for the use during the day’s filming.

7 All firearm safety will be fully under my purview and any persons not following the recognised safety instructions will be MADE TO RELINQUISH their firearms until they can satisfy those needs.

8 Once the Firearms are singed for (as per N.S.P’s) the firearm

 SHALL BE THE SOLE RESPONSABLITY OF THE PERFORMER WHO HAS SINGED IT OUT.

9 AT ANY TIME THAT THE PERFORMER IS SEEN TO BE MISS HANDLING OR MISS USING THE FIREARM, THEY WILL RELINQUISH THEIR FIREARM.

10 Upon the PRODUCER/DIRECTOR having been made

 AWARE OF THE INFRACTION THE FIREARM MAYBE RETURNED.

11 Basic handling and Advanced Handling (when need will be given to all performers) before the start of the fist scenes involving any Firearms.

12 Before Daily Filming a short safety briefing will always be given to all on set .

13 I SHALL NOT COVER ANY ACCIDENT ARRISING FROM THE MISS HANDLING OF THE FIREARMS BY THE PERFORMERS OR ANY PRODUCTION STAFF After they have gone through the N.S.P briefing and training.

14I SHALL COVER UNDER MY INSURANCE ANY ACCIDENT CAUSED BY FAULTY EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED BY MYSELF.

15 When working with trained STUNT PERSONEL I will liaise with the Stunt Coordinator in regard to the use of firearms along with any Pyrotechnics to be use while filming or otherwise.