Motion picture production: armorers: firearm safety.

Existing law authorizes a person who is at least 21 years of age to apply for an entertainment firearms permit from the Department of Justice, which authorizes the permit holder to possess firearms loaned to them for use solely as a prop in a motion picture, television, video, theatrical, or other entertainment production or event. Existing law requires the permit application to contain specified information, including a residential and mailing address, social security number, and date of birth, and requires the payment of a specified fee. Existing law makes it a crime to knowingly furnish incorrect information or knowingly omitting any information from an application for an entertainment firearms permit. This bill, for purposes of motion picture production, would authorize the use of a firearm on a production of a motion picture if the firearm is used with blanks and remains under the supervision of an armorer at all times. The bill would define terms for its purposes. Under the bill, an armorer would have specific responsibilities relating to the use of a firearm in the course of performance, including the sole authority to furnish a performer with a firearm containing blanks for use in the production. The bill would prohibit an armorer from having any other duties, responsibilities, or obligations during the time that a performer is using a firearm. The bill would require an employer to ensure that a fire code official is present on any motion picture production during the time any firearm and blanks are used in the motion picture production. The bill, with prescribed exceptions, would prohibit the use of ammunition in the production of a motion picture. This bill would require the Office of the State Fire Marshal (the OSFM) , in consultation with the Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee, on or before July 1, 2023, to develop a course with a prescribed curriculum on the safe use and supervision of firearms and blanks by armorers in a motion picture production. The bill would require the OSFM, on or before January 1, 2024, to develop a list of vendors approved to administer the armorers safety course and issue a certificate of completion. On and after July 1, 2024, an employer would be prohibited from employing an armorer unless the armorer has completed an armorers safety course from an approved vendor. The employer would be required to request and keep in their records a copy of the certificate of completion. The bill would require a person seeking to work as an armorer to complete the armorers safety course. This bill would also require the OSFM, in consultation with the Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee, on or before July 1, 2023, to develop an internet web-based firearms safety course with a prescribed curriculum for motion picture production employees who work in close proximity to an armorer or a performer who will be using a firearm and for performers who will be using a firearm. The bill would require the OSFM, on or before January 1, 2024, to develop a list of vendors approved to make the online firearms safety course available and issue a certificate of completion. On and after July 1, 2024, the bill would require an employer of specified motion picture production employees to require them to take the online firearms safety course and to request and keep in their records a copy of the certificate of completion. The employer would be responsible for the cost of the course. The bill would make an employer who fails to comply with the bill's provisions liable for an unspecified civil penalty for each offense. The bill would authorize the Attorney General, a city attorney, or a county counsel to bring an action to impose a civil penalty, as prescribed. The bill would establish exemptions from its provisions for specified registered security guards and peace officers.