Guns in parking lot

dlevanchuk

dlevanchuk

One of the scenes that Im writing includes two men with guns, that's been drawn at each other. They re standing on the rest stop.
Guns, of course, are toys, so actors are completely safe.

Now, the question is this:
Since these are not real guns, but toys, i don't need to get a any gun permits, right?

What about the people who will be around? Should I put some kind of sign saying "Filmmaking in progress", or something along the line, to warn people, so they wouldn't freak out??

Also, i'm concerned about police/hwy patrol officers, busting out their cars with REAL guns draw out... How do I need to make special arrangements with them?


Add:
It will be shot with a little consumer camera, and a mic boom as well..Everything ran on batteries. Since I'm not using any city lights, but do I still need to get other permits as well?
 
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Papertwinproductions said:
You'll have to notify the authorities, or, it almost certainly will follow with a potentially dangerous situation.

Better safe than sorry.
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Yup.

Notify the relevant authorities, put up signs to warn people and make sure the guns aren't being waved around when you're not shooting. An AD or PA standing back in a high-vis jacket might help reassure passers by that it's all legit.

I don't know the specifics of your state's gun laws, though for what it's worth I have heard of people being prosecuted in the UK for brandishing imitation firearms as though they were real. Play it safe, it's not worth people getting hurt over.
 
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I can't answer on the permit but I would always have a sign that says filming or something. If it's toy guns, I would also publicly and loudly announce that this is all fake and it's for a film. I shot a video with a small fight scene and even though I had lights, cameras and signs saying "filming please be quiet" some lady called the cops claiming someone was getting mugged after we had done the take like six times. While it may look a little Fight Clubish, the fact that we had been doing the same thing over and over all afternoon made her calling seem ridiculous to us. That goes to show you that no matter how much you try, their can be people who are oblivious to obvious things like signs, lights and cameras. Your best bet is taking the safe route and get authorities permission before hand. That way you can't be held responsible for anything.
 
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dlevanchuk said:
Yea, thats what I was thinking as well. Give them the times and date of the shoot..
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Most definately.

Exact times & Dates. Location, number of crew. Notify them prior, and the morning before your shoot. You may-As I've heard this before, in aid to diminish any panic from the surrounding community- receive a police "Escort" so to say, to accompany your shoot while the fire-arms are being branded.
 
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dlevanchuk said:
One of the scenes that Im writing includes two men with guns, that's been drawn at each other. They re standing on the rest stop.
Guns, of course, are toys, so actors are completely safe.

Now, the question is this:
Since these are not real guns, but toys, i don't need to get a any gun permits, right?

What about the people who will be around? Should I put some kind of sign saying "Filmmaking in progress", or something along the line, to warn people, so they wouldn't freak out??

Also, i'm concerned about police/hwy patrol officers, busting out their cars with REAL guns draw out... How do I need to make special arrangements with them?


Add:
It will be shot with a little consumer camera, and a mic boom as well..Everything ran on batteries. Since I'm not using any city lights, but do I still need to get other permits as well?
Click to expand...

Before you do this, whether you have a permit or not, PLEASE notify whatever security guard is on watch at the parking lot and even call the local police department and even notify the neighbors.

There was an article someone posted (Uranium City) a while back about how at a shoot with guns the cops showed up and nearly shot an actor dead.
 
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Papertwin and ROC are correct.

You will not need a gun permit but you will need
permission. A sign won't do it. Frankly a passerby
seeing guns will not stop to look for a sign.
dlevanchuk said:
Also, i'm concerned about police/hwy patrol officers, busting out their cars with REAL guns draw out... How do I need to make special arrangements with them?
Click to expand...
You go to the local police station, the one nearest the
location. This is an in person situation. If the rest stop
is privately owned you will need to show them written
permission to shot there. If it is city owned you will
need to follow the cities guidelines for filming on city
property. Tell the local police the exact times you will
be on the location, how many people will be there and
exactly when you will be leaving. Tell them exactly how
many people will be involved and what equipment will
be there - even if it's only a camera on sticks.
 
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I called my local police and gave them the contact information of the property owner, dates and times of the event. They followed up by calling the property owner, and called me back saying thanks for letting us know.. no problems..
 
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I also make sure to call the non-emergency number when the gun becomes visible to the public and again when it gets put away... that way the 911 dispatchers know that if they get a call about us that we're legit. I even invite an officer to inspect the weapons before we start "FILMING" (never say shooting to the police -- it has a very different meaning to them). We've had them take us up on it once, but they've always appreciated our professionalism and up-frontishness.
 
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knightly said:
I also make sure to call the non-emergency number when the gun becomes visible to the public and again when it gets put away... that way the 911 dispatchers know that if they get a call about us that we're legit. I even invite an officer to inspect the weapons before we start "FILMING" (never say shooting to the police -- it has a very different meaning to them). We've had them take us up on it once, but they've always appreciated our professionalism and up-frontishness.
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That is a REALLY good point! Tell them when you're finished so they don't leave a REAL robbery alone.
 
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I'm not certain what you mean by "rest stop." But that sounds potentially like State property rather than a local jurisdiction, which means you'd need to work with your State troopers rather than local cops. Similar for your permits. Make sure you or someone on your crew can flash a student id. That usually makes permits free, if not cheaper. Here in Oakland most students can get permitting fees waived. It is possible you may have to pay for police presence on set - although perhaps not.

Either way. Please follow all of the great advice in this thread. There's no point in taking the risk of being in the view of the public (private property or otherwise) while filming a scene involving firearms. (Even airsoft ones)

One more thing. I noticed you list your location as Seattle. IIRC, Washington is a "Will Permit" state for CCW. Cliff Notes: LOTS of adults in WA are permitted to carry concealed firearms and do so on a regular basis. In that sort of situation, I would err on the side of caution. If prop guns are coming out - have all your paperwork in a row and maybe even a trooper on standby. A couple hours of his OT might cost you a couple hundred bucks, but very much worth it.
 
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This is a two fold issue.

1. You may very well need permission to shot a movie even in a parking lot. Call your local film commission office or state film commission office and ask about shooting there. Because . . .

2. The police will most likely ask you to show a permit for the location or a letter from the property owner allowing you to shoot there. If you shoot in a public location, you may need insurance depending on the size of your budget. But, you can get your film commission office to hook you up with polive security for your shoot.
 
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I film a lot of action movies involving guns. I go to many public places to film. Every time I film with guns I notify as many people around me telling them I am just making a movie. I also call into my local police department telling them I am a film maker and, will be filming with two fake guns between 2:00PM and 4:00 PM and this place. I have never had a problem notifying the police.
 
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Also, i'm concerned about police/hwy patrol officers, busting out their cars with REAL guns draw out... How do I need to make special arrangements with them?
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This is exactly what I heard happened on a shoot once. Actors came face to face with real Police with their guns drawn. They never had a permit, and someone called 911 to report a "gun fight".
 
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