12020 (a)(2) and Top Shot

[SteveH]

Top Shot has provided contestants with plenty of weapons that are illegal for us mere mortals to possess. Including but no limited to Blow guns and blowgun darts and the LaRue OBR with standard magazine release.

[GOEX FFF]

I also believe that, for shows like this, there is an armourer who maintains control over the weapons, and only gives them to the contestants to use at the time of their competition. This would probably be the easiest way to get around these problems. Also, in many of the shows, the owner of the firearms are usually the 'expert' during the practice time (and probably around during competition). At least for the less common, or 'illegal' arms.

So anyways, I see a few ways that they remain legal while producing this show, other than the fact that it's Hollywood.

^^ Correct.

We also have NFA arms on Top Shot. The entertainment arms house http://issprops.com/ has countless NFA items who has supplied NFA arms for Top Shot's production and is located in Sun Valley, CA. The motion picture arms industry is fully exempt. There is no need move to another state.

http://issprops.com/weapons/permits

[a1c]

the idea is that if we are to all be treated equally under the laws of the state then we need to work to make the "exemptions" apply to everyone. If the state doesn't want "large capacity magazines" in CA then they can kiss the money brought in by motion picture productions good-bye too.

It isn't like "Top Shot" will go out of production, if it is a good show it will still be in demand and will move production to NV or some other place.

It is patently inappropriate to compare the safe use of a "large capacity" magazine or a .50 BMG rifle to driving 90 MPH in a chase on city streets. One is perfectly safe and legal in most states, the other is a danger to the public.

The entertainment industry gets all sorts of exemptions, and that applies to firearms as well.

I'm not saying it's fair, nor that it's right. That's the way it is. To be fair, they have to follow all sorts of BATFE regulation to remain legal. So while one could argue equal protection here, the truth is, they do have to comply by a lot of processes and paperwork that standard citizens don't have to comply with in "free" states, for all sorts of liability issues.

I don't think this is something worth whining about.

[curtisfong]

I don't think this is something worth whining about.

You're wrong, IMO. It ABSOLUTELY is a problem... it is the single biggest barrier to dismantling CA's racist, unfair, corrupt gun control regime.

At best, it is selective enforcement

At worst, it is blatant corruption

And no matter how you look at it, it presents a terrible moral hazard.

[dantodd]

The entertainment industry gets all sorts of exemptions, and that applies to firearms as well.

I'm not saying it's fair, nor that it's right. That's the way it is. To be fair, they have to follow all sorts of BATFE regulation to remain legal. So while one could argue equal protection here, the truth is, they do have to comply by a lot of processes and paperwork that standard citizens don't have to comply with in "free" states, for all sorts of liability issues.

I don't think this is something worth whining about.

So, putting aside your assertion that demanding equal protection under the law is "whining." Do you think CA would kick out all TV and movie production that involves firearms if they had to treat them equal under the law, or would they repeal the laws and let everyone possess the weapons per BATFE rules?

[Firemark]

You want to get the message out to the nation about California oppressive gun laws? Get a Cal gunner 2A advocate on the show to compete, and have them refuse to perform any shooting challenge that breaks current california law. Protest loudly get it on camera, refuse any mags over 10 rounds, refuse any auto fire weapon or one that is banned on the CA roster.

Get in the door, get on the show, get your face recognized in episode 1 and 2 and then lay into the advocacy slant. Start off by saying if you win your donating 100% of the winnings to legal challenges ongoing in the state.

IF the shows ratings are goin up why not use it as a tool to spread the truth to the country about anti gunners and the propoganda.

[Maestro Pistolero]

Competition exemption? So I could bring my Armalite AR10 to a DCM match?

[cmaynes]

The entertainment industry and other groups get certain exemptions from various CA laws, because they supported passage of the laws they got exemptions to.

Why would they lobby to repeal something they are exempt to?

If they didn't get their exemptions, the law would not have passed in the first place. So, politicans make deals (exemptions to the laws they want to pass) with the unions to ensure what they want to get passed does.

I work in the entertainment industry, and I get to work with class III weapons (and even larger military weapons) more often than most people. Yes, the exemption sucks- but what would suck even worse is those productions- which in the case of say, a film like transformers, dump upwards of 3 to 5 hundred THOUSAND dollars a day into the local economy. Top Shot? probably 5 thousand dollars aday..... but I digress- would it be more awesome and fair if those dollars went to Arizona or Nevada?

Yes, indeed it sucks, but lets concentrate the time and effort into fixing it via legal action instead of the mindless bickering that so often surrounds these things-

[ke6guj]

Competition exemption? So I could bring my Armalite AR10 to a DCM match?

12280(m) Subdivisions (a), and (b), and (c) shall not apply to the possession and importation of an assault weapon or a .50 BMG rifle into this state by a nonresident if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The person is attending or going directly to or coming directly from an organized competitive match or league competition that involves the use of an assault weapon or a .50 BMG rifle.
(2) The competition or match is conducted on the premises of one of the following:
(A) A target range that holds a regulatory or business license for the purpose of practicing shooting at that target range.
(B) A target range of a public or private club or organization that is organized for the purpose of practicing shooting at targets.
(3) The match or competition is sponsored by, conducted under the auspices of, or approved by, a law enforcement agency or a nationally or state recognized entity that fosters proficiency in, or promotes education about, firearms.
(4) The assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle is transported in accordance with Section 12026.1 or 12026.2.
(5) The person is 18 years of age or over and is not in a class of persons prohibited from possessing firearms by virtue of Section 12021 or 12021.1 of this code or Section 8100 or 8103 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.


the issue is thate the exemption may not allow you to stop anywhere between the state line and the range, no pit stops along the way for gas/food/etc, and no overnight stays at a local hotel. And the exemption does not allow you to import large-cap mags.

[vincewarde]

Are we sure?

Are we sure that top shot is still filming in CA? The "house" in the 2nd and current season is different than in season one.

[jwkincal]

The weather in season 2 didn't look like SoCal either... possibly NoCal or Oregon...

[GOEX FFF]

Are we sure that top shot is still filming in CA? The "house" in the 2nd and current season is different than in season one.

Yes, we just wrapped shooting 40 straight days of season 4 at the same ranch in Santa Clarita.
And also correct, the house in season 2 & 3 is the same but different than season 1.

[jwkincal]

Santa Clarita??? There was SNOW on the hilltops in season 2...

Although we did get that really cold storm early last winter; I guess that took a bit of getting used to on the firing line!

[dantodd]

would it be more awesome and fair if those dollars went to Arizona or Nevada?

yes it would. Because then the CA legislature would get a butt load of pressure to change the laws. Not only would they lose the daily, but also the income tax and sales tax generate by the employees, like you, who would be paid in and spend your money in NV or AZ.

[RazzB7]

You're wrong, IMO. It ABSOLUTELY is a problem... it is the single biggest barrier to dismantling CA's racist, unfair, corrupt gun control regime.

At best, it is selective enforcement

At worst, it is blatant corruption

And no matter how you look at it, it presents a terrible moral hazard.

OK, by that logic, I want that plasma blaster that I saw in the last sci-fi flick I saw. It was filmed in California too!