Safety during an event, and especially during a performance is of the utmost importance. The pistols, rifles, and shotguns used by the US Territorial Marshals are actual working firearms, not "Hollywood stunt guns" and as such are handled with extreme care. No one other than the re-enactor owning the firearm, or a fellow re-enactor with permission from the owner, handle a firearm during an event.

No club member or spectator has ever been injured during a performance of the US Territorial Marshals (USTMC).

Ammo Safety

Only "blank" ammunition, loaded by our own safety officer, or, factory loaded "Hollywood" style blanks will be used during a performance. Blank rounds consist of a brass shell loaded with a small amount of gunpowder held in place with a fast-dispersing agent. Black powder firearms will be loaded with gunpowder in the chamber cylinders held in place with a fast-dispersing agent.

Only those firearms that will require firing during a performance will be loaded. All other firearms will be unloaded.

Safety Precautions

As members of this highly regarded organization, the USTMC follow strict safety standards as outlined below. 

• No live ammo will ever be carried on or about a re-enactor during a re-enactment event.

• A safety officer will be designated for all events.

• No alcoholic beverages will be consumed by any member four hours prior to an event and during the normal hours of the event.

• A safety perimeter will be maintained during a performance.

• Re-enactors will maintain a safe distance between themselves and spectators during an event, usually 15 feet for pistol fire and 25 feet for shot gun fire.

• Re-enactors will never point firearms directly at each other. The firearms will pointed to the side of or below the opposing person.

In keeping with high ethics, and the code of the West, the following also applies:

• No profane language will be used in the course of a performance.

• No simulated blood (also known as Hollywood blood-paks) or gory make-up will be used.