United States:
California Legislation Would Expand Cal/OSHA’s Authority To Regulate Gun Use In Entertainment Industry
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The California Legislature recently introduced
Senate Bill (SB) 831, which would increase regulations in, and
add gun safety measures to, the motion picture and television
industry.
According to the text of the bill, the legislature intends
“to regulate live ammunition, blanks, firearms that are
capable of firing live or blank ammunition, and certain other
gun-like weapons capable of shooting projectiles on entertainment
production sets.”
Specifically, the contemplated law would:
- prohibit a live gun, functioning gun-like weapon, and blank
ammunition containing gunpowder or other explosive charge on
entertainment productions for certain purposes, including
rehearsal, filming of an on-camera sequence, or other development
of content, except under specified conditions; - require a qualified armorist, prop or property master, or
designee handling a firearm to have completed certain training in
firearms and have a specified permit for the use of the
firearm; - prohibit live ammunition … from being permitted on film,
television, and commercial sets, except in limited circumstances,
including while filming a reality television project that uses
firearms and live ammunition and follows certain safety rules and
laws.
In addition to the above-listed prohibitions, the bill would
require an employer to ensure that any employee in proximity to the
use of firearms on set complete specific firearm training. It
would also require that an employer hire an independent safety
supervisor, who is not part of the cast and crew.
If enacted, SB 831 would authorize the California Division of
Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) to issue citations for
violations of the law’s provisions pursuant to a different
penalty assessment, which could be higher than the civil penalties
calculated under existing law.
“Tragic accidents like the one that occurred on the set of
‘Rust’ are preventable, but only when the safety
measures are followed,” the legislature stated in its
findings and declarations regarding the purpose of the bill.
“The growing popularity of a diverse array of media
platforms and reality television has only increased the need to
ensure safety on sets.”
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guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.
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