A prop gun is a gun or

replica A replica is an exact (usually 1:1 in scale) copy or remake of an object, made out of the same raw materials, whether a molecule, a work of art, or a commercial product. The term is also used for copies that closely resemble the original, without ...

gun that is used primarily by movie and television productions or in theatre performances. As a

prop A prop, formally known as a (theatrical) property, is an object actors use on stage or screen during a performance or screen production. In practical terms, a prop is considered to be anything movable or portable on a stage or a set, distinct ...

, these guns can be divided into non-firing guns (replicas) and firing guns (firearms).

Firearm A firearm is any type of gun that uses an explosive charge and is designed to be readily carried and operated by an individual. The term is legally defined further in different countries (see legal definitions). The first firearms originate ...

s are subject to restriction by law and safety regulations in use, due to their inherent danger, and illegal misuse by criminals.

Replica guns

Stage replicas can be made from metal, resin, plastic, or rubber. They cannot fire or hold any type of round and typically they produce no noise or smoke effects, these can be added during the

post-production Post-production, also known simply as post, is part of the process of filmmaking, video production, audio production, and photography. Post-production includes all stages of production occurring after principal photography or recording indivi ...

process. Some replica guns are equipped with an electronically triggered muzzle flash.

Firearms as props

Prop firearms are either real guns or specifically made to be

blank Blank or Blanks may refer to: *Blank (archaeology), a thick, shaped stone biface for refining into a stone tool *Blank (cartridge), a type of gun cartridge *Blank (Scrabble), a playing piece in the board game Scrabble *Blank (solution), a solutio ...

firing only. Blank ammunition has a cartridge that when fired produces realistic effects such as noise, smoke, a muzzle flash and recoil; they contain

gunpowder Gunpowder, also commonly known as black powder to distinguish it from modern smokeless powder, is the earliest known chemical explosive. It consists of a mixture of sulfur, charcoal (which is mostly carbon), and potassium nitrate, potassium ni ...

but do not have a bullet. To achieve a desired visual effect, the amount of gunpowder used may vary, sometimes using more than a regular live round.

Dummy round A dummy round or drill round is a round that is completely inert, i.e., contains no primer, propellant, or explosive charge (filling). It is used to check weapon function, and for crew training. Dummy ammunition is distinct from "practice" am ...

s are replicas that may be used if the chambered bullets in the cylinder of a revolver are visible to the camera. They can be constructed from pre-used live rounds or be moulded from resin.

Gun safety

In the interest of safety, the use of prop firearms is strictly regulated. Besides legal requirements, industry standards and guidelines have been set. The

weapons master The weapons master, sometimes credited as the armorer, weapons specialist, weapons handler, weapons wrangler, or weapons coordinator, is a film crew specialist that works with the property master, director, actors, stunt coordinator and script s ...

or armorer, a position that prior to the 1980s was handled by the prop master, is responsible for making sure these regulations are followed. The armorer may undertake the training of the actors and is present at the set while they are used. They are in charge of the loading, handling, preparation and testing of the firearm to be used as a prop. Blanks expel gunpowder and hot gases out of the front of the barrel in a cone shape. This is harmless at longer ranges, but even without a projectile, the burning flame and debris from burned and unburned flakes of gunpowder create a very real hazard at close distances and can be lethal if the muzzle becomes blocked with debris. If the gun is aimed towards the camera during filming extra precautions are taken to protect the

film crew A film crew is a group of people, hired by a production company, for the purpose of Filmmaking, producing a film or motion picture. The crew is distinguished from the Ensemble cast, cast, as the cast are understood to be the actors who appear ...

, such as perspex screening, eye protection or remote operation of the camera.

Computer-generated imagery Computer-generated imagery (CGI) is a specific-technology or application of computer graphics for creating or improving images in Digital art, art, Publishing, printed media, Training simulation, simulators, videos and video games. These images ...

(CGI) can produce effects that mimic the noise and smoke of a firing gun. This has increasingly replaced the use of prop guns with blanks as a safe alternative.

Fatal prop gun incidents

*1984, Jon-Erik Hexum, died of self-inflicted

head trauma A head injury is any injury that results in trauma to the skull or brain. The terms ''traumatic brain injury'' and ''head injury'' are often used interchangeably in the medical literature. Because head injuries cover such a broad scope of inj ...

from a blank while playing

Russian roulette Russian roulette () is a potentially lethal game of chance in which a player places a single round in a revolver, spins the cylinder, places the muzzle against the head or body (their opponent's or their own), and pulls the trigger. If the ...

in between sets of '' Cover Up''. *1993, actor

Brandon Lee Brandon Bruce Lee (February 1, 1965 – March 31, 1993) was an American actor. Establishing himself as a rising action star in the early 1990s, he landed what was to be his breakthrough role as Eric Draven in the supernatural superhero fi ...

, killed on set of the movie ''

The Crow ''The Crow'' is a supernatural superhero comic book series created by James O'Barr revolving around the titular character of the same name. The series, which was originally created by O'Barr as a means of dealing with the death of his fianc� ...

'' by the accidental discharge of a bullet that had been unknowingly stuck in the barrel and later pushed out by a blank. *2017, stuntman Johann Ofner, killed by the wad of a blank

shotgun shell A shotgun cartridge, shotshell, or shell is a type of rimmed, cylindrical (straight-walled) ammunition used specifically in shotguns. It is typically loaded with numerous small, spherical sub-projectiles called shot. Shotguns typically use a ...

on set of the music video of " Friend Like You". *2021, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, killed on set of the movie ''

Rust Rust is an iron oxide, a usually reddish-brown oxide formed by the reaction of iron and oxygen in the catalytic presence of water or air moisture. Rust consists of hydrous iron(III) oxides (Fe2O3·nH2O) and iron(III) oxide-hydroxide (FeO(OH) ...

'' by a live round that was supposed to be blank or a

dummy round A dummy round or drill round is a round that is completely inert, i.e., contains no primer, propellant, or explosive charge (filling). It is used to check weapon function, and for crew training. Dummy ammunition is distinct from "practice" am ...

, under investigation.{{cite news , url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59006905 , author=NN , title=Alec Baldwin: What are prop guns and why are they dangerous?, publisher=

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

, date=October 23, 2021 , accessdate=October 25, 2021

References

Firearms Prop design Stagecraft

Replica guns

Firearms as props

Gun safety

Fatal prop gun incidents

See also

References