大象传媒

What Can Go Wrong?

• Shot by accidental discharge 鈥� due to lack of experience / competency.
• Firearm or weapon may be lost or stolen.
• Trauma or shock from accidental injury to others.
• Hearing impairment from firearm discharge.
• Misperception by members of the public that a real life scenario is taking place - if Police called, this could lead to harm, prosecution and/or reputational loss.
• Moving parts of a firearm / weapon causing injury.
• Injuries from blades and sharp weapons, such as arrows and bolts.

Legal/大象传媒 Requirements 

• If a firearm or other lethal weapon is being used which is real (i.e. not a prop, replica or toy) and it is under our control, then a suitable Armourer from the 大象传媒 pre-vetted list must be used 鈥� this includes firearms which are designed to fire blanks (e.g. starting pistol). The Armourer must hold a Firearm Licence appropriate to the firearm being used - See Home Office Guide to Firearm Licensing Law (Recommended Links)
• Outside of the UK, if you want to use an Armourer who isn鈥檛 on this list, speak to your Safety Adviser who will help you determine the competence required to act in this role.
• If you can achieve what you want using a replica, prop or de-activated firearm instead of a real one, then you should do so. Having a real weapon on location brings with it additional safety and security risks / requirements.

Control Measures

Firearms and weapons 鈥� General Controls

• Where real firearms are to be used by a production, including antique or de-activated firearms, or those which only fire blanks (e.g. starting pistol), appoint an Armourer from the 大象传媒鈥檚 pre-vetted list 鈥� check that their firearms licence covers the type of weapon to be used and that it is in date.
• Where you intend to use props or replicas which could be mistaken for real weapons (but are incapable of being fired or restored to that capability) then you may still need to appoint an Armourer. Contact your local police force and explain your plans. They may advise you to engage an Armourer. If your local police force state that an Armourer is not necessary then you should nominate a 鈥渞esponsible person鈥� to take charge of the prop. This nominated person should be mature and reliable, though need not have any specialist weapon skills / qualifications. 
• Where firearms or weapons are to be used in areas visible to the public, you must inform the local police force of your plans. They will issue you with a CAD reference (note this) and may impose restrictions or guidance on what you can do; this may include having police presence on location.
• For weapons which are capable of causing serious injury, you must obtain permissions from the landlord or premises manager before bringing it onto their site 鈥� this includes 大象传媒 premises. They are likely to require confirmation of competence of those in control of the weapon and the suitability of their operational procedures, as well as possible approval for its use by appropriate safety and security teams
• Ensure the filming area is closely controlled. If in a public area, consider use of security personnel, barriers and screens. Local residents and businesses who might see the firearm should receive prior notification of what is happening.
• Ensure adequate first aid arrangements are on location.
• You must brief the armourer / responsible person on the sequences required so they can plan the action and decide how much set-up and rehearsal time is needed with the weapon. They have the final say on how and when the weapon can be used.

大象传媒 Pre-vetted Armourer

• Confirm that the Armourer will be responsible for sourcing the weapon, and for its safe and secure transport, storage and use, on location or in a 大象传媒 studio. If live rounds are to be fired, they should also verify the suitability and safety of the location e.g. access to the area is strictly controlled, and confirm that the firearm has been fired recently, and successfully. Request a risk assessment from them and check it covers these requirements.
• Ensure all who may be affected by the weapon are aware of it and are able to co-ordinate their activities so as to minimise the time the weapon needs to be used. Where necessary for safety, they should each receive a copy of the Armourer鈥檚 risk assessment.
• Ensure there is enough time to rehearse any sequences with the weapon.
• Check that you are able to comply with the requirements of the Armourer鈥檚 risk assessment 鈥� for example, will personal protective equipment be required (e.g. hearing protection, goggles), and if so, what type is required and who will provide it?
• The Armourer must be present whenever the firearm or weapon is being used, and readily available to prepare or deactivate the weapon, monitor its use and give safety instruction.
• The Armourer must deliver a safety briefing prior to the weapon being used.

Nominated Responsible Person

• Check that the nominated responsible person is aware of and comfortable with their responsibilities for the safe keeping of the replica weapon, including its secure transport to and from the supplier to location or studio.
• Ensure the activities of the responsible person are covered in the production risk assessment form 鈥� they should accompany the weapon at all times.
• Where necessary for safety or security, arrange for the responsible person to deliver a briefing prior to the weapon鈥檚 use.
• Where the weapon could easily be mistaken for a real weapon, to prevent it from being stolen / lost, the responsible person should keep it in a locked and hidden place whenever it is not being used e.g. locked boot of car.
• Any loss of a replica / prop should be reported to the Producer and 大象传媒 Insurance immediately.

Specialist Venues

The following guidelines apply only to those venues in the UK where firearms are owned and managed by experts not under our direct control - we may film or record the weapons being used, including by our Presenters, but the expert鈥檚 will remain in charge of the activity and will have the final say on safety. Experts in this context would include all sections of the British Military Forces, Police, Registered Gun Clubs / Ranges and licensed public demonstrations (e.g. at County Fayres, military re-enactment displays).

• Contact the representative at the venue to discuss your filming / recording requirements and obtain their safety rules and information 鈥� check that you can comply with these.
• Once at the venue, ensure you are supervised by a designated expert and that you remain under their care / direction throughout your time on location. Police and Military need not prove competence, though you should seek such documentary proof from others, including verifying ownership of appropriate firearm licences.
• The expert should give a safety briefing before any handling or filming of weapons.
• Avoid distracting or obstructing anyone who is handling a weapon.
• Don鈥檛 handle or interfere with any firearms / weapons unless as directed by your weapons expert.
• Wear any personal protective equipment required by the weapons expert (e.g. flak jackets, ear defenders, goggles, etc.) - they should provide these for you.
• Make sure any firearm to be used by our Presenters has recently been fired successfully.
• Make sure you know what emergency and first aid procedures are provided at the venue and that these are suitable.

Division Specific Issues

News

Within Newsgathering operations, it is possible to encounter firearms and other weapons in situations very different to those described above, where they may be used maliciously against journalists, or others, or who could be caught up in inadvertent or accidental fire. The following guidelines do not apply to situations where we are filming / recording stories where weapons used for legitimate purposes happen to be present e.g. hunting, Police, military 鈥� see Specialist Venues above.

• Where there is a foreseeable risk of violence at the location e.g. riot, controversial door-step interviews, covert filming etc., senior manager sign off is required for any deployment. Deployers must seek advice from 大象传媒 High Risk / 大象传媒 Security on the security measures to be taken.
• If necessary, those deployed should be appropriately trained and experienced to handle such situations 鈥� see the 大象传媒 Public Order and other related Security Guides.
• If caught unawares when a deadly weapon appears on location which could clearly present a threat to team members, staff must withdraw immediately by the quickest practical means, without stopping to collect any equipment or personal effects. If withdrawing from the scene completely isn鈥檛 practical, take hard cover and hide. Deadly weapon includes any weapon capable of causing serious personal injury, including a firearm (even if it later turns out to be a replica), sword, machete, spear, petrol-bomb, etc.
• If the Police are present and preparing to respond to the threat, again, take cover or withdraw to a safe location immediately. Crowd dispersal or disarming techniques e.g. CS gas / water-cannon pose a significant risk of injury / ill-health.
• If the Police aren鈥檛 present, once in a safe location, summon them as quickly as possible without drawing attention to yourself.

FAQs/Did You Know? 

• Skillset publishes a job profile page that describes the responsibilities of an armourer; the website is in related links.
• The Metropolitan Police Service Film Unit is the central point of contact for the co-ordination of filming in public spaces within London.