A prop gun is a
gun or gun
replica
A 1:1 replica is an exact copy 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 claiming to be identical. Al ...
that is used primarily by
movie and
television
Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication Media (communication), medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of Transmission (telecommunications), television tra ...
productions or in
theatre
Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The perfor ...
performances. As a
prop, these guns can be divided into non-firing guns (replicas) and firing guns (firearms).
Firearms are subject to restriction by law and safety regulations in use, due to their inherent danger.

Replica guns
Stage replicas can 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 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 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, carbon (in the form of charcoal) and potassium nitrate ( saltpeter) ...
but does not have a
bullet
A bullet is a kinetic projectile, a component of firearm ammunition that is shot from a gun barrel. Bullets are made of a variety of materials, such as copper, lead, steel, polymer, rubber and even wax. Bullets are made in various shapes and ...
. To achieve a desired visual effect, the amount of gunpowder used may vary, sometimes using more than a regular
live round.
Dummy rounds 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 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, such as perspex screening, eye protection or remote operation of the camera.
]Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery (CGI) is the use of computer graphics to create or contribute to images in art, printed media, video games, simulators, and visual effects in films, television programs, shorts, commercials, and videos. The image ...
(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, actor Jon-Erik Hexum, died of self-inflicted head trauma from a blank while playing Russian roulette in between sets of '' Cover Up''.
*1993, actor Brandon Lee
Brandon Bruce Lee (February 1, 1965 – March 31, 1993) was an American actor and martial artist. Establishing himself as a rising action star in the early 1990s, he landed his breakthrough role as Eric Draven in the dark fantasy film ''Th ...
, 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 fiancée at t ...
'' 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
Wad is an old mining term for any black manganese oxide or hydroxide mineral-rich rock in the oxidized zone of various ore deposits. Typically closely associated with various iron oxides. Specific mineral varieties include pyrolusite, lithiophorit ...
of a blank shotgun shell on set of the music video
A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing devi ...
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 supposed to be blank, 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 , date=October 23, 2021 , accessdate=October 25, 2021]
See also
* Captive bolt pistol
* Squib load
*Starter pistol
A starting pistol or starter pistol is a blank handgun that is fired to start track and field races, as well as competitive swimming races at some meets. Starter guns cannot fire real ammunition without first being extensively modified: Blank ...
References
Firearms
Prop design
Stagecraft