Long Rubber Stunt Morita Rifle (Eric Speiser)
Dan Benton: “Are you required by law to own a gun permit because of your large collection of prop firearms?”
Eric Speiser: “Depending on your state, federal, local and other laws, you as a collector may be required to obtain a pistol license, long gun license, class three license or civilian marksmanship permit to obtain a firearm from a movie production depending on the type of gun or weapon being purchased. The majority of firearms used in films are machine guns; those require a special license, must be registered with your local police departments and properly licensed and monitored by the ATF and your local authorities.
The licenses are very expensive to obtain, upwards of $25,000.00 if not more in some states, not to mention the cost of the firearm you are interested in buying. However, there are deactivated, demilled and other forms of real firearms available that have been modified to no longer fire. This allows you to keep the original gun in as close to original form as it was while being used on set, while not actually having a dangerous weapon in your possession. All the firearms in my collection have been registered with the proper authorities and all licenses required are up, active and up to date, just in case Uncle Sam is curious.”
Dan Benton: “With a collection as significant as yours, there has to be some jealous and prying eyes. Which group tends to express a deeper interest: prop collectors or gun collectors?”
Lt. Carmen Ibanez's Blank Firing Fleet Morita Carbine Rifle (Eric Speiser)
Eric Speiser: “Haters will be haters, I guess is the easiest way to say it. I have been fortunate enough to have been given a chance and opportunity to obtain and collect a multitude of firearms over the years and share some with the public, giving people access to guns they would have only seen on film. Usually the intrigue and interest in firearms from film is overwhelming, but I have to say the firearms collectors and enthusiasts are the most difficult to please. Many complaints of guns being modified for use on film have come in over the years, where some feel modifying firearms is taboo; others welcome it with open arms. A Ruger Mini 14 hidden inside a custom fiberglass bullpup shell for Starship Troopers or a Glock 17 in a police officer’s holster on Law and Order, either way, anyone who enjoys film must admit, without the use of guns on screen, the film industry may have disappeared long ago.”
Dan Benton: “Eric, I really appreciate the time you’ve taken and look forward to having you join us again in the future.”
Eric Speiser: “I look forward to it!”
Be sure to check out some of Eric’s extensive collection at his YourProps page.
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About Dan Benton
Dan his collection is gone how can we get in touch with him?
I can have him contact you directly if you’d like.
send me his email if thats ok :)
I’ll ask him and if it’s cool with him, I’ll definitely fire it over to you.
Tom – Eric said you can contact him right off of his page: http://www.theonehothemicollection.com/ It will direct you (by using “contact”) right to his personal email address.