Hollywood actors/felon question

[RazzB7]

I had this thought while reading one of Neil's threads and reading one of his quotes from the movie "Heat". (One of my all-time favorite movies, BTW) I know Danny Trejo (Mexican guy with all the tattoos in "Heat") is a ex-con and I assume a felon. I'm sure he's not the only actor in Hollywood who is a felon. Felons can't possess firearms in the state of California. So, how do they work around that in Hollywood on movie sets? Even if it's shooting blanks, it's still a firearm, right? My understanding of the legal definition of "possession" is simply holding it.

I know there are lots smarter legal minds than me on here. I just work on cars. But it is puzzling to me.

[crackerman]

We have talked about it before and if I remember correctly, take is they are famous so they get away with it for work. I suppose some screen guns can be fake and not every blank gun is considered a firearm by the ATF but smarter people will have better answers shortly.

But remember too, felons With out their rights restored) can't posses guns anywhere in the US, not just California.

[jeep7081]

Mark Wahlberg is another.

Heat was a great movie!

[creekside]

I had this thought while reading one of Neil's threads and reading one of his quotes from the movie "Heat". (One of my all-time favorite movies, BTW) I know Danny Trejo (Mexican guy with all the tattoos in "Heat") is a ex-con and I assume a felon. I'm sure he's not the only actor in Hollywood who is a felon. Felons can't possess firearms in the state of California. So, how do they work around that in Hollywood on movie sets? Even if it's shooting blanks, it's still a firearm, right? My understanding of the legal definition of "possession" is simply holding it.

I know there are lots smarter legal minds than me on here. I just work on cars. But it is puzzling to me.

You are correct that convicted felons may not possess firearms ... not just in California, but nationwide.

The felon actors have to carry blank-fire non-guns or where local law permits, replica non-firearms, for example made of rubber.

http://www.moviegunservices.com/mgs_weapontypes.htm

http://www.moviegunservices.com/mgs_proplaws.html

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-388676.html

http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?t=6253

[lrdchivalry]

You are correct that convicted felons may not possess firearms ... not just in California, but nationwide.

The felon actors have to carry blank-fire non-guns or where local law permits, replica non-firearms, for example made of rubber.

http://www.moviegunservices.com/mgs_weapontypes.htm

http://www.moviegunservices.com/mgs_proplaws.html

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-388676.html

http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?t=6253

Except Mark Wahlberg who went to Frontsight and fired actual weapons in preperation for his movie The Shooter. As someone pointed out, if your famous you get away with it.

[Mr Blu]

What it most likely is, is that it's blank firing only weapons, or "rubber duckies" and the ATF/Feds/etc. don't what the hassle.

It's probably a "spirit of the law, versus the letter of it" situation, allowing felons/ex-cons to use firearms in films.

Just a guess, but what ATF/Fed agent wants to have the media publish an article about them arresting a felon on a movie set, for using a firearm for a MOVIE????? Famous or not, some might look at that situation as a sort of abuse of power, by twisting the letter of the law to the agents favor so he/she can catch a so called "bad guy".

I could be talking completely out my arse, but it simply just seems like a waste of time and resources, along with it kind of being career suicide. Film companies are highly connected in the government.

[bodger]

Except Mark Wahlberg who went to Frontsight and fired actual weapons in preperation for his movie The Shooter. As someone pointed out, if your famous you get away with it.

Yeah, he sure did. There's a different set of rules for the rich and famous. If I recall, Wahlberg's felony conviction ( or one of them) was for taking a stick and gouging out some Asian guy's eye on a Boston street because he wouldn't give Wahlberg his six pack of beer.
But Mark is the darling of Hollywood nevertheless. I wonder if the one-eyed guy got any compensation from the big movie star once the film bucks started rolling in.

[FatalKitty]

Yeah, he sure did. There's a different set of rules for the rich and famous. If I recall, Wahlberg's felony conviction ( or one of them) was for taking a stick and gouging out some Asian guy's eye on a Boston street because he wouldn't give Wahlberg his six pack of beer.
But Mark is the darling of Hollywood nevertheless. I wonder if the one-eyed guy got any compensation from the big movie star once the film bucks started rolling in.

There is a reason felons are not allowed to possess firearms. it's because they have proven to be a danger to society and we can't allow them the chance to kill en mass with a gun.
HOWEVER - it's pretty obvious that wahlberg is a successful guy now... I'm pretty sure he doesn't have to steal beer anymore, and I personally would trust him with a firearm given his "rehabilitated" state
Yea, maybe he gets away with it due to his fame... but do you honestly think in the spirit of the law he shouldn't be using a gun in a movie? you really think he's going to be like "oh, screw this crap... I am a felon! may as well kill some people today or rob a liquor store!"

nope

[halifax]

Interesting:

http://www.ravnwood.com/archives/005955.php

He's not a felon, because of a strange quirk of Massachusetts law (coincidentally the same one which allows Ted Kennedy to serve in congress).

In MA, if one does not receive a sentence of 24 months or more, in a prison not a jail; no matter the crime, one is not counted as a felon.

Mark Wahlberg only received an 18 month sentence which was suspended, plus 45 days confinement in a county jail, for assault and attempted murder, because he was only 16 and 17 when the crimes occurred.

He would be disqualified from a CCW in most states, but he is not officially a felon according to the FBI or ATF.




Posted by: Chris Byrne at April 2, 2007 3:46 AM

[RazzB7]

This might twist your noodle, because it just twisted mine. I don't think Danny Trejo actually used a firearm at any point in the movie "Heat". (Remember, he was the driver) In "XXX" he used a big bloody machete and nothing else. I haven't seen the movie "Machete" yet with him in it, but based on the title, I would guess he uses a machete. Is there any movie where he actually uses a firearm?

[Fyathyrio]

Just a guess, but what ATF/Fed agent wants to have the media publish an article about them arresting a felon on a movie set, for using a firearm for a MOVIE????? Famous or not, some might look at that situation as a sort of abuse of power, by twisting the letter of the law to the agents favor so he/she can catch a so called "bad guy".

Hmmmm, when viewed through the lens of the "Fast and Furious" fiasco, the irony in this statement makes my head want to explode.

[oddjob]

Robert Rodriguez uses computer generated scenes for his "gun fights." I know he did for Once Upon a Time in Mexico (basing this on his interview).

There was a scene in Machete where Trejo held what appeared to be a Glock 19 (in a car scene). But I don't know if it was a real one or an "Airsoft type" gun.

[maxmonster]

Trejo uses 2 mp5ks in Predators.

[Doheny]

You are correct that convicted felons may not possess firearms ... not just in California, but nationwide.

The felon actors have to carry blank-fire non-guns or where local law permits, replica non-firearms, for example made of rubber.

http://www.moviegunservices.com/mgs_weapontypes.htm

http://www.moviegunservices.com/mgs_proplaws.html

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-388676.html

http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?t=6253

Cool sites...thx

[bodger]

There is a reason felons are not allowed to possess firearms. it's because they have proven to be a danger to society and we can't allow them the chance to kill en mass with a gun.
HOWEVER - it's pretty obvious that wahlberg is a successful guy now... I'm pretty sure he doesn't have to steal beer anymore, and I personally would trust him with a firearm given his "rehabilitated" state
Yea, maybe he gets away with it due to his fame... but do you honestly think in the spirit of the law he shouldn't be using a gun in a movie? you really think he's going to be like "oh, screw this crap... I am a felon! may as well kill some people today or rob a liquor store!"

nope

Nope. I don't think he's a danger to society at all. I just don't think anyone should "get away with anything due to his fame".

Don't forget, we aren't just talking about his use of a firearm in a film. Wahlberg went to Frontsight and used real firearms to prepare for his role in Shooter. That's illegal for a convicted felon, famous or not. Should we allow him to purchase and own firearms as well because he's a wealthy celebrity?