Prop Gun Set Safety

Prop Gun Set Safety fills a critical gap in the entertainment industry. As veteran armorers retire in record numbers, production demands remain high—and safety can't be compromised. Dutch Merrick, the founder and chief instructor, built this program to raise the bar across film, television, and theater.

Merrick spent 40 years as a competitive shooter before bringing that expertise into the film industry in the 1980s. He served as President of I.A.T.S.E. Local 44 (Hollywood's largest property craftsperson union), representing the propmasters and armorers who set industry standards. His prop work appears in SEAL Team (Paramount+), CSI: NY, Euphoria (HBO), S.W.A.T., and First Man. He's been interviewed by the New York Times, Good Morning America, and Variety, and participated in a White House roundtable on film safety following the Rust incident.

Live Fire Learning courses include hands-on shooting with studio safety blanks, workbooks, snacks, and exclusive training materials. Tuition covers everything except ammunition for courses where you bring your own gun.

"Total Participant Involvement" is the core method. Classes are designed for clarity, patience, and professionalism—not tactical drills or high-intensity instruction. If you're nervous about firearms, this is the place.

Workshops run year-round across multiple Southern California locations, with a packed 2026 calendar of weekend classes. Private instruction available in all disciplines.

Not just armorers. The program serves property masters, assistants, gun wranglers, stagehands, theme park crew, and related trades including camera operators, key grips, set medics, UPMs, and assistant directors. Union and non-union crew welcome.

📍 530 S. Lake Ave #939, Pasadena, CA 91101 📧 [email protected] 📞 (626) 268-1979 (M-F, 9am-6pm)