Hollyood prop master / armorer

[The Director]

Several of my employees/contractors have California Dangerous Weapons permits issued by the DOJ since they work as prop masters / weapons guys for films. I've looked into the permits...there is one for assault weapons, SBR/SBSs, DDs, machine guns, etc. Most prop guys have several of these since a wide variety of permits are required to properly be able to provide guns for films.

The permits give them the ability to possess these weapons legally. None that I know actually own the weapons, most are rentals.

My question is this....does the Assault Weapons permit they have allow them to remove the BB from OLLs? Could they turn an OLL into an AW and be covered by the permit or is that considered manufacturing?

None of them could answer this satisfactorily...not a surprise since these guys for the most part aren't gun owners.

[Quiet]

The Dangerous Weapons Permit allows them to possess a Dangerous Weapon (AW, DD MG, SBR or SBS) depending on which permit that have.

It appears that the AW Dangerous Weapons Permit allows them to aquire, make & possess assault weapons.
All assault weapons need to be registered.

Also, Dangerous Weapons Permit holders need to register the location(s) and vehicle(s), the dangerous weapons they possess will be stored or transported in.

[The Director]

Wow. Still pretty broad powers granted by such permit....

[Quiet]

Here are the penal codes that allows it.

Penal Code 12280
(h) Subdivisions (a), (b), and (c) shall not apply to the manufacture by persons who are issued permits pursuant to Section 12287 of assault weapons or .50 BMG rifles for sale to the following:
(1) Exempt entities listed in subdivision (e).
(2) Entities and persons who have been issued permits pursuant to Section 12286 or 12287.
(3) Entities outside the state who have, in effect, a federal firearms dealer's license solely for the purpose of distribution to an entity listed in paragraphs (4) to (6), inclusive.
(4) Federal military and law enforcement agencies.
(5) Law enforcement and military agencies of other states.
(6) Foreign governments and agencies approved by the United States State Department.

Penal Code 12286
Any person who lawfully acquired an assault weapon before June 1, 1989, or a .50 BMG rifle before January 1, 2005, and wishes to use it in a manner different than specified in subdivision (c) of Section 12285, who lawfully acquired an assault weapon between June 1, 1989, and January 1, 1990, and wishes to keep it after January 1, 1990, or who wishes to acquire an assault weapon after January 1, 1990, or a .50 BMG rifle after January 1, 2005, shall first obtain a permit from the Department of Justice in the same manner as specified in Article 3 (commencing with Section 12230) of Chapter 2.

Penal Code 12287
(a) The Department of Justice may, upon a finding of good cause, issue permits for the manufacture or sale of assault weapons or .50 BMG rifles for the sale to, purchase by, or possession of assault weapons or .50 BMG rifles by, any of the following:
(1) The agencies listed in subdivision (e), and the officers described in subdivision (f) of Section 12280.
(2) Entities and persons who have been issued permits pursuant to this section or Section 12286.
(3) Entities outside the state who have, in effect, a federal firearms dealer's license solely for the purpose of distribution to an entity listed in paragraphs (4) to (6), inclusive.
(4) Federal law enforcement and military agencies.
(5) Law enforcement and military agencies of other states.
(6) Foreign governments and agencies approved by the United States State Department.
(b) Application for the permits, the keeping and inspection thereof, and the revocation of permits shall be undertaken in the same manner as specified in Article 3 (commencing with Section 12230) of Chapter 2.

[Full Clip]

The law always makes exceptions for Hollywood types... lol.

[jamesob]

The law always makes exceptions for Hollywood types... lol.

hollywood and l.e

[Bruce]

The law always makes exceptions for Hollywood types... lol.

Equal protection under the law.......if you have the money/clout to be equal that is.

[The Director]

Equal protection under the law.......if you have the money/clout to be equal that is.

I don't want to derail here.....clout has nothing to do with it, IMHO.

My prop masters tell me this cost around $2K annually....more if you actually have to store the assault weapons / MGs - so not cheap.

[Bruce]

I don't want to derail here.....clout has nothing to do with it, IMHO.

My prop masters tell me this cost around $2K annually....more if you actually have to store the assault weapons / MGs - so not cheap.

Clout? The state is always bending over backwards for the film industry. It wouldn't happen if it weren't for the taxes,and tourism dollars that "Hollywood" generates. Personally I wish the whole industry would pack up and move to Canada or somewhere far, far away!

[SJgunguy24]

I don't want to derail here.....clout has nothing to do with it, IMHO.

My prop masters tell me this cost around $2K annually....more if you actually have to store the assault weapons / MGs - so not cheap.

I know a guy with said permits and he told me he had to build his transport truck. It's basiclly an armored car with weapon lockers on the inside.

[The Director]

I know a guy with said permits and he told me he had to build his transport truck. It's basiclly an armored car with weapon lockers on the inside.

That's overboard. Maybe he was carrying quite a few of them. My guy has a ford explorer, totally stock except for a metal trunk / footlocker thing that is bolted to the frame in the cargo area and is locked.

Fits about 4-5 long guns and fulfills the law perfectly.

[The Director]

Personally I wish the whole industry would pack up and move to Canada or somewhere far, far away!

Many films have. The economic impact of this is staggering to the local industry and puts hundreds of people out of work. Incidentally, California's filming laws and tax credits are just about as whacked as it's gun laws, which is why so many shows aren't shot here.

[bigcalidave]

Can't have gun control laws and the insane bias in this state without Hollywood wackos and the money they bring to support their causes. But the Hollywood wackos can't get the money without guns in their movies.

[bridgeport]

Many films have. The economic impact of this is staggering to the local industry and puts hundreds of people out of work. Incidentally, California's filming laws and tax credits are just about as whacked as it's gun laws, which is why so many shows aren't shot here.

+1 very sad.

[davew]

I pretty happy the state gives these out to the film industry guys. Certainly makes the movies more entertaining. Sure I want one myself, but what the hell, I'd also love to be able to (legally) blow up super cars and speed boats too, but I can't...at least hollywood can.