The Universality

of Gun Safety

The one thing everyone in the gun debate agrees on: safer gun use means keeping your guns locked when not in use

Villain or hero, show all of your characters keeping their guns stored safely. If you make the deliberate choice to show their guns left unlocked, be sure to depict the consequences of their reckless behavior.

Robert Bowers Disney, founder of the Hollywood Committee, co-penned an open letter following the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas and grocery store shooting in Buffalo, New York. The letter called for three guiding principles on any projects using firearms:

  • Use our creativity to model responsible gun ownership and show consequences for reckless gun use. We will make a conscious effort to show characters locking their guns safely and making them inaccessible to children.

  • Have at least one conversation during pre-production regarding the way guns will be portrayed on screen and consider alternatives that could be employed without sacrificing narrative integrity.

  • Limit scenes including children and guns, bearing in mind that guns are now the leading cause of death for children and adolescents.

The letter, co-signed by Shonda Rhimes, Jimmy Kimmel, and more than 200 other writers, producers, and directors, was published in Variety and covered by more than 20 major media outlets.

Resources for Creative Professionals

Take the On-Set Safety Training Course

Writing about guns but don’t know enough about them? Playing a role with guns and don’t feel confident in handling a firearm? This best-in-class training course with Prop Gun Safety will prepare you and leave you feeling confident.

Talk to a Survivor of Gun Violence

Hear how a gun in the wrong hands reverberates through a community. Understand what a bullet does to the human body. Accurately depict the psychological aftermath of being shot. Homicides, suicides, mass shootings, domestic violence and more. We can connect you with people willing to share their stories.

Speak with an Expert

Whether you are looking to understand guns from the perspective of law enforcement, the military, hunters, elected officials or even the owner of a gun shop, we have a deep network of professionals ready to help you tell a deeper, more authentic story.