Shawmac Industries Australia Pty Ltd offers film and stage armoury services to NSW, Queensland and other States and Territories.
We strive to deliver confidence for film and stage production companies with a fully licensed, insured, safe and deeply experienced service tailored to suit your needs.
We bring to you a safe and professional service in a relaxed, calm and easy-going manner that lets you get on with the wider job. Our armourer's are renowned for their willingness to help, adaptivity, flexibility and friendly nature.
We have provided our services to major Australian and International production companies, International and Domestic streaming services (e.g. NETFLIX, STAN), free to air tv shows, stage productions (International and Domestic), re-enactments, student productions, cover shoots, advertisements, gaming companies and much more.
Our services include:
We strive to deliver confidence for film and stage production companies with a fully licensed, insured, safe and deeply experienced service tailored to suit your needs.
We bring to you a safe and professional service in a relaxed, calm and easy-going manner that lets you get on with the wider job. Our armourer's are renowned for their willingness to help, adaptivity, flexibility and friendly nature.
We have provided our services to major Australian and International production companies, International and Domestic streaming services (e.g. NETFLIX, STAN), free to air tv shows, stage productions (International and Domestic), re-enactments, student productions, cover shoots, advertisements, gaming companies and much more.
Our services include:
- Onset Armourers (one or more depending on scale of production)
- Helping to plan production requirements
- Firearm hire (static and blank fire with a mix of real and imitation firearms). We have a comprehensive range of firearms available.
- Edged and other weapons hire (swords, handcuffs, batons, etc)
- Custom made firearms and weapons
- Inhouse casting of soft firearms and weapons for stunts and background requirements only
- Work, Health and Safety
- Legislation, standards and wider legal requirements
- 30+ years film armoury experience
- 50+ years firearms and weapons handling, gunsmithing, manufacturing and relevant industry experience
- Licensed Theatrical Armourer Dealer - 412801947
- Licensed Theatrical Weapons Armourer - 412802237
- Public Liability Insurance - $20m
- Product Liability Insurance - $20m
- Simple and upfront schedule of fees that are highly competitive. (Available upon request)
- No job is too big or small
- NETFLIX and other production approved armourers
- Armourer: Daniel Shaw - 0427 446 017
- Armourer: Scott Warwick - 0412 815 069
COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
This should NOT be considered legal advice and is general assistance information only. The below should NOT in any way be considered a requirement we have imposed or created, these are all legislative requirements imposed across ALL license Armourer's in NSW by the NSW Firearms Act 1996 And Weapons Prohibition Act 1998.
NO ACCOUNTABILITY IS TAKEN OR ACCEPTED FOR THE BELOW INFORMATION.
WHAT IS A FIREARM:
The NSW Firearms Act 1996 outlines that a firearm is 'a gun, or other weapon, that is (or at any time was) capable of propelling a projectile by means of an explosive, and includes a blank fire firearm, or an air gun, but does not include a paintball marker within the meaning of the Paintball Act 2018 or anything declared by the regulations not to be a firearm.' A children's toy (e.g. something you would buy from K-MART or BIG-W and is clearly marked as a toy and will be used in the context of a toy) is also not considered to be a firearm.
IS A REPLICA OR IMMITATION CONSIDERED A FIREARM:
Yes. A replica, imitation and a theatrical soft copy is considered a firearm for the purposes of the NSW Firearms Act 1996 and the manufacture and use of these items on a theatrical production requires the supervision of a licensed theatrical armourer.
CAN A THEATRICAL PRODUCTION MAKE THEIR OWN FIREARMS (INCLUDING SOFTS):
Unless the production holds a Theatrical Armourer's Dealers License or a general NSW Firearm Dealers license it would be illegal for anyone other then an engaged licensed theatrical armourer to make any soft, replica or imitation firearm. FIREARMS ACT 1996 - SECT 50A Unauthorised manufacture of firearms
WHAT IS A PRODUCTION AUTHORISED TO DO AFTER ENGAGING AN ARMOURER:
The Production Company after engaging an armourer can have firearms and weapons on location including permitting cast and crew to possess and use the firearms or weapons under the direct supervision and guidance of the armourer. No other conduct is permitted in NSW.
CAN A PRODUCTION PAINT OR DECORATE FIREARMS:
NO, there is no authority extended to the production company to work on a firearm or prohibited weapon. 'Minor alterations on location and on the day' are permissible but this must not extend to working on a firearm in a manner that would ordinarily require a licensed theatrical armourer or firearms dealer to undertake. Such examples would include activities such as fitting webbing or dressings.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFE STORAGE AND SAFE USE OF FIREARMS AND WEAPONS ON A THEATRICAL PRODUCTION:
The licensed theatrical armourer is responsible
WHAT DOCUMENTATION SHOULD A LICENSED THEATRICAL ARMOURER PROVIDE A PRODUCTION:
The armourer should provide a copy of their current licenses, public liability insurance, experience (technical or other), Safe Work Statements and relevant risk assessments, Blank fire guidelines, firearm specifications, workers compensation insurance and or any other documentation required by the production
WHAT ARE PROHIBITED WEAPONS:
Prohibited Weapons are not firearms, these are things like knuckle dusters, flails, maces, certain knives, ordnance and much more. a full list can be found at: WEAPONS PROHIBITION ACT 1998 - SCHEDULE 1
CAN BLANK FIRE FIREARMS BE DANGEROUS OR DEADLY:
Absolutely. To use blank fire firearms a competent licensed theatrical armourer is essential. A license is no guarantee that an armourer is competent. Productions should request technical capacities, demonstrated experiences, certificates or assurances that firearms are in safe working order and that firearm modifications have been completed by a competent and licensed person. The biggest mistake a production can make is to assume that merely having a license guarantees competency.
WHEN IS A THEATRICAL PRODUCTION PROP NOT A FIREARM:
This is a very difficult and complex question to answer and will vary on every occasion where it is apparent a production prop is in question to being, or not being a firearm. What is being proposed, how it is to be used, the context of how it will be used, the general appearance, functionality, similarities to other firearms, how it is held, how it could be perceived and a much more must be fully considered. The safest position for a production company is to consult with a licensed Theatrical Armourer or NSW Police who will be able to help guide you.
CAN A PRODUCTION POSSES DIGITAL BLUEPRINTS AND 3D PRINT OR MACHINE FIREARMS:
No. only a licensed dealer/theatrical armourer is authorised to do this: FIREARMS ACT 1996 - SECT 51F Possession of digital blueprints for manufacture of firearms
CAN A PRODUCTION CONVERT OR ALTER A FIREARM OR REMOVE ANY WORDS OR IDENTIFYING FEATURES FROM A FIREARM:
No. Converting a firearm or defacing a firearm without authority is not permitted. FIREARMS ACT 1996 - SECT 63 Converting firearms and FIREARMS ACT 1996 - SECT 66 Defaced or altered firearms or firearm parts
WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF AN ARMOURER:
The only role of an armourer is to ensure that all conduct is 'lawful' and 'safe'. An armourer should NOT be filling alternate roles whenever firearms are being used. Productions must ensure a direct line of contact and decision-making environment between the Director, 1st AD, Safety Officer and the Actor using firearms.
HOW EARLY IN PRE-PRODUCTION SHOULD AN ARMOURER BE ENGAGED:
As early as possible. Armoury can be an extremely complex and resource demanding service to provide. Often, we will be servicing multiple productions at the same time, in different locations and will often be required to acquire or make unique firearms and weapons or replicas of. We may also need to organise unique permits or authorisations for the production, for example if they need to have their props teams making hero version soft items. If we are required to work interstate, we may also be required to organise interstate work authorities. All of these are legal and resource challenging tasks and accordingly can take significant time.
The NSW Firearms Act 1996 outlines that a firearm is 'a gun, or other weapon, that is (or at any time was) capable of propelling a projectile by means of an explosive, and includes a blank fire firearm, or an air gun, but does not include a paintball marker within the meaning of the Paintball Act 2018 or anything declared by the regulations not to be a firearm.' A children's toy (e.g. something you would buy from K-MART or BIG-W and is clearly marked as a toy and will be used in the context of a toy) is also not considered to be a firearm.
IS A REPLICA OR IMMITATION CONSIDERED A FIREARM:
Yes. A replica, imitation and a theatrical soft copy is considered a firearm for the purposes of the NSW Firearms Act 1996 and the manufacture and use of these items on a theatrical production requires the supervision of a licensed theatrical armourer.
CAN A THEATRICAL PRODUCTION MAKE THEIR OWN FIREARMS (INCLUDING SOFTS):
Unless the production holds a Theatrical Armourer's Dealers License or a general NSW Firearm Dealers license it would be illegal for anyone other then an engaged licensed theatrical armourer to make any soft, replica or imitation firearm. FIREARMS ACT 1996 - SECT 50A Unauthorised manufacture of firearms
WHAT IS A PRODUCTION AUTHORISED TO DO AFTER ENGAGING AN ARMOURER:
The Production Company after engaging an armourer can have firearms and weapons on location including permitting cast and crew to possess and use the firearms or weapons under the direct supervision and guidance of the armourer. No other conduct is permitted in NSW.
CAN A PRODUCTION PAINT OR DECORATE FIREARMS:
NO, there is no authority extended to the production company to work on a firearm or prohibited weapon. 'Minor alterations on location and on the day' are permissible but this must not extend to working on a firearm in a manner that would ordinarily require a licensed theatrical armourer or firearms dealer to undertake. Such examples would include activities such as fitting webbing or dressings.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFE STORAGE AND SAFE USE OF FIREARMS AND WEAPONS ON A THEATRICAL PRODUCTION:
The licensed theatrical armourer is responsible
WHAT DOCUMENTATION SHOULD A LICENSED THEATRICAL ARMOURER PROVIDE A PRODUCTION:
The armourer should provide a copy of their current licenses, public liability insurance, experience (technical or other), Safe Work Statements and relevant risk assessments, Blank fire guidelines, firearm specifications, workers compensation insurance and or any other documentation required by the production
WHAT ARE PROHIBITED WEAPONS:
Prohibited Weapons are not firearms, these are things like knuckle dusters, flails, maces, certain knives, ordnance and much more. a full list can be found at: WEAPONS PROHIBITION ACT 1998 - SCHEDULE 1
CAN BLANK FIRE FIREARMS BE DANGEROUS OR DEADLY:
Absolutely. To use blank fire firearms a competent licensed theatrical armourer is essential. A license is no guarantee that an armourer is competent. Productions should request technical capacities, demonstrated experiences, certificates or assurances that firearms are in safe working order and that firearm modifications have been completed by a competent and licensed person. The biggest mistake a production can make is to assume that merely having a license guarantees competency.
WHEN IS A THEATRICAL PRODUCTION PROP NOT A FIREARM:
This is a very difficult and complex question to answer and will vary on every occasion where it is apparent a production prop is in question to being, or not being a firearm. What is being proposed, how it is to be used, the context of how it will be used, the general appearance, functionality, similarities to other firearms, how it is held, how it could be perceived and a much more must be fully considered. The safest position for a production company is to consult with a licensed Theatrical Armourer or NSW Police who will be able to help guide you.
CAN A PRODUCTION POSSES DIGITAL BLUEPRINTS AND 3D PRINT OR MACHINE FIREARMS:
No. only a licensed dealer/theatrical armourer is authorised to do this: FIREARMS ACT 1996 - SECT 51F Possession of digital blueprints for manufacture of firearms
CAN A PRODUCTION CONVERT OR ALTER A FIREARM OR REMOVE ANY WORDS OR IDENTIFYING FEATURES FROM A FIREARM:
No. Converting a firearm or defacing a firearm without authority is not permitted. FIREARMS ACT 1996 - SECT 63 Converting firearms and FIREARMS ACT 1996 - SECT 66 Defaced or altered firearms or firearm parts
WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF AN ARMOURER:
The only role of an armourer is to ensure that all conduct is 'lawful' and 'safe'. An armourer should NOT be filling alternate roles whenever firearms are being used. Productions must ensure a direct line of contact and decision-making environment between the Director, 1st AD, Safety Officer and the Actor using firearms.
HOW EARLY IN PRE-PRODUCTION SHOULD AN ARMOURER BE ENGAGED:
As early as possible. Armoury can be an extremely complex and resource demanding service to provide. Often, we will be servicing multiple productions at the same time, in different locations and will often be required to acquire or make unique firearms and weapons or replicas of. We may also need to organise unique permits or authorisations for the production, for example if they need to have their props teams making hero version soft items. If we are required to work interstate, we may also be required to organise interstate work authorities. All of these are legal and resource challenging tasks and accordingly can take significant time.