Our theatre is writing a policy regarding what is acceptable for use as props when firearms are part of the script. Is there an industry standard for use of replicas? Is it ever appropriate to use a real firearm -- disarmed or otherwise -- as a prop? It seems that there are a number of authentic looking replicas that would make this practice obsolete. What is the practice in other community theatres?

NEVER use a real weapon on stage! If you must use a firing prop, spend the money to get one that is designed to fire blanks and CANNOT chamber a live round. If the weapon does not need to fire, invest in a non-firing replica.

Obviously, I have very strong feelings on this subject, but it is a major safety issue. Blank firing props are not toys and must be treated with the utmost respect.

As for handling prop firearms, blank guns should be treated as if they were real, following all gun safety rules: never point the weapon at anyone, always treat it as if it is loaded, lock it up when not in use, never leave it loaded. We always asign the stage manager to control, load, unload and store blank firing stage props. He or she is the ONLY ONE who should do this chore... it should not be delegated. The prop should be kept clean and in good working order at all times.

The actor using the prop on stage should be given a serious lecture on safety. And the prop should NEVER be fired AT another actor... always aim away from the actor, just in case. Even blank guns are dangerous as burned powder will escape. Because of this, NEVER fire the prop against an actor or any solid object. Actors have been injured, and in at least one case, killed by misused blank guns.

I would strongly recommend bringing in a member with experience handling firearms to help write your policy, specifically someone who is qualified to teach firearms safety. If you do not have a member so qualified, consider reaching out to your area hunter education program and borrow someone qualified.

This isn't related to the topic at hand really but I just had to tell this funny story. I saw the Los Angeles production of "Ruthless" a few years back. Late in the show, Tina, the little girl, is supposed to shoot everybody onstage one by one. Well, she shot two characters and was on the third when the gun didn't go off. She tried about two more times and finally, after a pause, shouted, "Bang!!" The even funnier part is that Isabel Sanford, Louise from "The Jeffersons", was playing the girl's grandmother and could not stop laughing even after she was shot. Her stomach was jiggling all over the place. Dear god, that was funny. The entire audience just about peed in their pants.