Top Shot: Smuggling in CA?!!!!!

[SharpsDressedMan]

I just heard from a gun who just might know (he worked in the film industry, now retired) that Top Shot had to smuggle the Barrett .50 they used in some of the shoots INTO California, as they did not have a registered one there, and secretly brought one in to do that part of the challenges? Is that possible, or likely? I do not know the current restriction in CA over .50 cal rifles. Anyone hear anything about this?

 

[JoeMal]

If you heard it at the LGS, it has to be true

 

[Ryanxia]

To my knowledge a .50cal is illegal for non LEOs in CA. I would be surprised if they 'smuggled it in' just to have it.

 

[desidog]

It would be a lot easier to get a van and drive the shooters out....

 

[we are not amused]

.50 cal. BMG is outlawed in California, I remember Myth Busters having to go on the road to Nevada for some stuff they did with a .50 cal.

I really doubt that they smuggled in a .50 cal. just for the show, since as soon as it aired, there would be proof they had broken the law.

Far more likely, they loaded up their cameras and went on the road.

 

[Speedo66]

I just heard from a gun who just might know (he worked in the film industry, now retired) that Top Shot had to smuggle the Barrett .50 they used in some of the shoots INTO California, as they did not have a registered one there, and secretly brought one in to do that part of the challenges? Is that possible, or likely? I do not know the current restriction in CA over .50 cal rifles. Anyone hear anything about this?

If they did, why would you want to out them?

 

[Dr.Rob]

The TV and Film industry gets a lot of exemptions... it's possible there are 'legal' rifles in the hands of production companies.

 

[M60]

Exemptions for the film industry. They own the lawmakers of that "State".

 

[Blackstone]

Can I assume there are a lot of behind the scenes firearms, safety and legal advisers on the show? I highly doubt they'd getting a .50 into CA illegally.

Perhaps Adam can give some information?

 

[50 Shooter]

I have to agree, why risk getting caught as soon as the episode aired? More LGS hype that someone heard from their cousins brother's uncle best friend. I'm sure they have plenty of access to any weapons that they want to use.

If not, I'm sure they know enough people in the industry to get one. As long as the owner is there they can use the weapon and be legal. I don't care for the show and have never seen the episode in question but I doubt they risked importing an illegal "50 BMG Assault Weapon" into CA.

 

[Deus Machina]

It would be easier just do to it legally.

1) Find a film supplier that managed to keep theirs.
2) Call up LAPD, or whoever's closest with one in the lockup, and pay to have an officer bring it and supervise its first actual use beyond wasting budget.
3) Hop in a van for Nevada.

No way they smuggled one in.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Didn't happen...it has been discussed on some local forua.

The guns for the show are rented from companies who cater to the movie industry and have warehouses of guns and the permits to go with it. The company has armsmasters on-site for filming to maintain "control" of the guns, maintain them and secure them at the end of the shoot.

If the show could have contestants competing with grenade launchers and Gatling guns, do you really think they needed to smuggle in a .50 rifle?

Even if the company didn't have a couple in the warehouse, there are plenty in CA which can be rented

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Man, you guys are a tough audience! I tell you that the guy that told me (on the phone, matter of factly) was a player in the movie industry (verified), and you basically infer that he is a liar. With what was said about the .50 in CA, basically outlawed, some exist, some can be rented, etc, it would also make sense that a smuggled gun COULD be used (with little detection), and no one would be able to verify that it was NOT a rented gun, after the fact. In, and out. There was no reason for this now-retired, insider-knowledgeable player to lie. Believe what you want; I personally think it is funny. The problem with taking the crew and cast to Nevada (as I was told), say, to shoot the show and shoot the .50 was simple economics: way too expensive to move cameras, crew, catering, hotels, etc, just to shoot one particular segment.

 

[Robert]

I highly doubt that a show like Top Shot or their legal team would resort to criminal acts to film the show. It is far more likely they used a previously registered rifle as has already been mentioned. Either way we are done. I am in no mood for bickering over something that is hearsay.