Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control (Theatrical Use — Class Licence) Order 2025

No. S 365

Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act 2021

Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control
(Theatrical Use — Class Licence)
Order 2025

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 56 of the Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act 2021, the Minister for Home Affairs makes the following Order:

PART 1

PRELIMINARY

Citation and commencement

1.  This Order is the Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control (Theatrical Use — Class Licence) Order 2025 and comes into operation on 1 July 2025.

Definitions

2.—(1)  In this Order —

“acceptable proof of authorisation to possess”, for a person, means documentary evidence that might reasonably be accepted as applying to the person and as proving that the person is authorised by or under the Act to possess;

“act of serious violence” has the meaning given by section 4 of the Public Order and Safety (Special Powers) Act 2018;

“actor” includes a stunt performer;

“associate”, in relation to a producer of a film, television or theatrical production, has the meaning given by sub‑paragraph (2);

“authorised by or under the Act”, for a regulated activity involving a weapon, means authorised to carry on the regulated activity without committing an offence under the Act, because of —

(a) a provision in the Act;

(b) a licence or a class licence; or

(c) an exemption by or under section 87, 88 or 89 of the Act;

“bayonet” means a thrusting, striking or cutting weapon designed to be attached to or at the muzzle of a gun;

“blank firing firearm” means a firearm which is modified for use using only blank cartridges;

“blunted bayonet” or “blunted stabbing weapon” means a bayonet or stabbing weapon the cutting edges and points of which are modified to be —

(a) blunt; and

(b) not capable of causing serious injury or death;

“class licensable weaponry” means —

(a) a blunted bayonet;

(b) a blunted stabbing weapon;

(c) a blank firing firearm; or

(d) a deactivated gun;

“counter-terrorism exercise” means an event organised (solely or jointly) by or on behalf of the Singapore Police Force, the Singapore Armed Forces or the Singapore Civil Defence Force to simulate a serious incident for the purpose of training any of the following in reducing the impact of the serious incident, controlling public disorder or restoring or maintaining public order after the occurrence of the serious incident or apprehending persons responsible for the serious incident:

(a) members of the Singapore Police Force or the Special Constabulary, or any other police force on duty in Singapore;

(b) members of the Singapore Armed Forces and of any visiting forces lawfully present in Singapore;

(c) members of the Singapore Civil Defence Force;

(d) any combination of members of any of the forces mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c);

“dagger” means a sharp pointed stabbing instrument (other than a sword or bayonet) designed for hand‑to‑hand combat, and ordinarily capable of being concealed on the person of an individual;

“deactivated gun” means a gun —

(a) which has been rendered permanently inoperable; or

(b) the breech, chamber and barrel of which has been permanently sealed;

“employee”, in relation to a person, includes an individual —

(a) who is a volunteer and who —

(i) does work for the person with the knowledge or consent of the person; and

(ii) does the work on an ongoing and regular basis for the person,

being work that is in connection with any trade, business, profession or undertaking carried on by that person; or

(b) who is receiving on the job training or gaining work experience through working for the person with the knowledge or consent of that person,

and “employer” includes that person;

“employment” includes a volunteer arrangement or a training or work experience scheme (as the case may be) under which an individual undertakes work, training or work experience;

“licensed producer”, in relation to a film, television or theatrical production, means a producer of the film, television or theatrical production who is a licensee granted a licence authorising the licensee to use or otherwise possess any weapons (whether or not in combination with guns) acquired (through purchase) by the producer for the purposes of the staging of the film, television or theatrical production;

“licensed producer’s associate”, in relation to a producer of a film, television or theatrical production, means a person who —

(a) is an associate of the producer; and

(b) is a licensee granted a licence authorising the licensee to use or otherwise possess any weapons (whether or not in combination with guns) acquired (through purchase) by the associate for the purposes of the staging of the film, television or theatrical production;

“relevant explosive” means an explosive device commonly known as a flash bang or smoke grenade;

“secure” means secure from loss, theft, sabotage or unauthorised access;

“serious incident” has the meaning given by section 3 of the Public Order and Safety (Special Powers) Act 2018;

“spear” means a thrusting, throwing, striking or cutting weapon to be propelled by human power without the use of any device, and includes a halberd, glaive and a martial arts weapon called “Guandao” or “Yanyuedao”;

“special actor” means any of the following individuals employed or engaged as an actor in a theatrical production mentioned in paragraph 4(2)(a)(i) or (ii):

(a) a member of the Singapore Police Force;

(b) a member of the Singapore Armed Forces, whether or not in regular service or national service, including an operationally ready national serviceman;

“stabbing weapon” means a sword, spear or spearhead but does not include a bayonet and a dagger;

“staging”, in relation to a film, television or theatrical production, means making the arrangements necessary for the performance comprised in the film, television or theatrical production to take place as part of, including elements of the performance not consisting of sounds;

“sword” means a thrusting, striking or cutting weapon with a long blade having one or 2 cutting edges and a hilt and includes any bolo, kukri or hooked swords, but excludes any of the following:

(a) a machete;

(b) a parang;

“unauthorised” means not authorised by the Act, or under the Act, such as by a licence or a class licence.

(2)  In this Order, a person is treated as an associate of a producer of a film, television or theatrical production only if the person is engaged by the producer otherwise than under a contract of service to do any of the following in connection with the production of that film, television or theatrical production:

(a) to supply any actors or other labour for gain or reward;

(b) to do any work for gain or reward.

Application

3.—(1)  This Order does not extend to an individual who is exempt by or under section 87 or 88 of the Act.

(2)  The application of paragraph 4, 6, 8 or 10 to a person is subject to section 66(1) and (2)(c) of the Act.

PART 2

THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS

Division 1 — Producer

Producer of theatrical production is class licensee

4.—(1)  Subject to sub-paragraph (3), every person —

(a) who is —

(i) a producer of a film, television or theatrical production; or

(ii) an associate of a producer mentioned in sub‑paragraph (i); and

(b) who requires the use (whether or not in combination with any other gun or other weapon) of any class licensable weaponry in the staging of that film, television or theatrical production,

is subject to a class licence authorising the person’s use or possession or use and possession of that class licensable weaponry in connection with the staging or making of that film, television or theatrical production.

(2)  Every person —

(a) who is a producer of a theatrical production that is —

(i) a live performance at a commemorative event of national significance; or

(ii) a recreation of an act of serious violence for the purpose of a live demonstration, at an event organised (solely or jointly) by or on behalf of the Singapore Police Force, the Singapore Armed Forces or the Singapore Civil Defence Force, of the capability of any of those Forces to maintain law and order, to protect people from injury or death or to prevent and detect crimes; and

(b) who requires the use (whether or not in combination with any other gun, class licensable weaponry or other weapon) of any relevant explosive in the staging of that theatrical production,

is subject to a class licence authorising the person’s use or possession or use and possession of that relevant explosive in connection with the staging or making of that theatrical production.

(3)  The class licence under this paragraph does not extend to authorise the use or possession by a person of any deactivated gun or a blank firing firearm which is owned by the person.

(4)  To avoid doubt, the class licence under this paragraph does not authorise the possession of any other gun, explosive or any other weapon in connection with the staging or making of a film, television or theatrical production.

Conditions of producer class licence

5.—(1)  A class licensee by virtue of paragraph 4(1) may use or possess or use and possess any class licensable weaponry that the class licensee is authorised to use or possess under that paragraph only under all the following conditions:

(a) the class licensee acquires (other than on purchase), or takes part in such acquisition of, the class licensable weaponry from another only for the use by any actor in the film, television or theatrical production of which the class licensee is a producer or the producer’s associate;

(b) the class licensee takes all reasonable steps necessary to ensure that the class licensable weaponry is used, or allowed to be used, only by an actor —

(i) who is in the film, television or theatrical production of which the class licensee is a producer or the producer’s associate; and

(ii) when acting during a rehearsal or performance for that film, television or theatrical production;

(c) the class licensee takes all reasonable steps necessary to ensure that the class licensable weaponry is kept or stored in a secure manner, when it is not used in a rehearsal or performance for that film, television or theatrical production;

(d) the class licensee takes all reasonable steps necessary to ensure that the class licensable weaponry —

(i) is not lost or stolen; and

(ii) is not accessible or transferred to anyone else who is not authorised by or under the Act to possess the class licensable weaponry;

Illustration

If the container in which a deactivated gun is kept has a keyed lock or keyed padlock, the class licensee must take reasonable precautions to ensure that the keys for the lock or padlock are not lost or stolen and are not accessible to anyone who is not authorised by or under the Act to possess the deactivated gun.

(e) the class licensee takes all reasonable steps necessary to protect other people from alarm relating to the class licensee carrying out the regulated activity authorised by the class licence.

(2)  A class licensee by virtue of paragraph 4(2) may use or possess or use and possess any relevant explosive that the class licensee is authorised to use or possess under that paragraph only under all the following conditions:

(a) the class licensee acquires (other than on purchase), or takes part in such acquisition of, the relevant explosive from another only for the use by a special actor in the theatrical production mentioned in paragraph 4(2)(a)(i) or (ii) of which the class licensee is a producer;

(b) the class licensee takes all reasonable steps necessary to ensure that the relevant explosive is used, or allowed to be used, only by a special actor —

(i) who is in the theatrical production mentioned in paragraph 4(2)(a)(i) or (ii) of which the class licensee is a producer; and

(ii) when acting during a rehearsal or performance for that theatrical production;

(c) the class licensee takes all reasonable steps necessary to ensure that the relevant explosive is kept or stored in a secure manner, when it is not used in a rehearsal or performance for that theatrical production;

(d) the class licensee takes all reasonable steps necessary to ensure that the relevant explosive —

(i) is not lost or stolen; and

(ii) is not accessible or transferred to anyone else who is not authorised by or under the Act to possess the relevant explosive;

(e) the class licensee takes all reasonable steps necessary to protect other people from alarm relating to the class licensee carrying out the regulated activity authorised by the class licence.

Division 2 — Actor

Actor in theatrical production is class licensee

6.—(1)  Every individual who —

(a) is employed or engaged as an actor in a film, television or theatrical production; and

(b) is expressly authorised by any of the following to use any class licensable weaponry in the course of the individual’s role acting in that film, television or theatrical production:

(i) a producer of the film, television or theatrical production who is a class licensee by virtue of paragraph 4;

(ii) a licensed producer of the film, television or theatrical production;

(iii) a producer’s associate who is a class licensee by virtue of paragraph 4 in relation to the film, television or theatrical production;

(iv) a licensed producer’s associate in relation to the film, television or theatrical production,

is subject to a class licence authorising the individual’s use and possession of the class licensable weaponry when acting his or her role during a rehearsal or performance for that film, television or theatrical production.

(2)  Every special actor in a theatrical production mentioned in paragraph 4(2)(a)(i) or (ii) who is expressly authorised by any of the following to use any relevant explosive in the course of the individual’s role acting in that theatrical production:

(a) a producer of the theatrical production who is a class licensee by virtue of paragraph 4(2);

(b) a licensed producer of the theatrical production,

is subject to a class licence authorising the individual’s use and possession of the relevant explosive when acting his or her role during a rehearsal or performance for that theatrical production.

(3)  To avoid doubt, the class licence under this paragraph does not authorise an actor’s use and possession of any gun, explosive or any other weapon which is not a class licensable weaponry or relevant explosive during a rehearsal or performance for a film, television or theatrical production.

Conditions of actor’s class licence

7.  An actor in a film, television or theatrical production who is a class licensee by virtue of paragraph 6 may use or possess any class licensable weaponry or relevant explosive that he or she is authorised to use or possess under that paragraph, subject to all the following conditions:

(a) the actor uses or possesses the class licensable weaponry or relevant explosive (as the case may be) only —

(i) during the period and at the location of a rehearsal or performance for the film, television or theatrical production concerned; and

(ii) while under the supervision and control of —

(A) a class licensee by virtue of paragraph 4(1) or (2) relating to the film, television or theatrical production; or

(B) a licensed producer or a licensed producer’s associate mentioned in paragraph 6(1)(b)(ii) or (iv) or (2)(b) relating to the film, television or theatrical production;

(b) the actor does not leave the class licensable weaponry or relevant explosive (as the case may be) unattended unless he or she is satisfied that it is being kept or stored in a secure manner;

(c) the actor does not transfer, or allow to be transferred, to another person the possession of the class licensable weaponry or relevant explosive (as the case may be) unless the other person first produces to the actor acceptable proof of the other person’s authorisation to possess the class licensable weaponry or relevant explosive;

(d) the actor complies with every direction given by the class licensee, licensed producer or licensed producer’s associate mentioned in sub‑paragraph (a)(ii)(A) or (B), that is a precaution to protect other people from alarm relating to the use or possession of the class licensable weaponry or relevant explosive (as the case may be) during the staging of the film, television or theatrical production.

Division 3 — Employee

Employee in theatrical production is class licensee

8.—(1)  Every individual who —

(a) is an employee of any of the following:

(i) a producer of a film, television or theatrical production who is a class licensee by virtue of paragraph 4;

(ii) a licensed producer of a film, television or theatrical production;

(iii) a producer’s associate who is a class licensee by virtue of paragraph 4 in relation to a film, television or theatrical production;

(iv) a licensed producer’s associate in relation to a film, television or theatrical production; but

(b) is not an actor in the film, television or theatrical production,

is subject to a class licence authorising the individual’s use or possession or use and possession of a class licensable weaponry, when engaging in conduct in the course of the individual’s employment in connection with the staging of that film, television or theatrical production.

(2)  To avoid doubt, the class licence under this paragraph does not authorise the use or possession of any gun or any other weapon which is not a class licensable weaponry by an individual when engaging in conduct in the course of the individual’s employment in connection with the staging of a film, television or theatrical production.

Conditions of employee’s class licence

9.  An employee who is a class licensee by virtue of paragraph 8 may use or possess or use and possess a class licensable weaponry that he or she is authorised to use or possess under that paragraph, subject to all the following conditions:

(a) the class licensable weaponry must be one that is acquired —

(i) by the employee’s employer, being anyone mentioned in paragraph 8(1)(a); and

(ii) for use by any actor in the staging of the film, television or theatrical production concerned;

(b) the employee uses or possesses the class licensable weaponry only during the period and at the location of a rehearsal or performance for the film, television or theatrical production concerned;

(c) the employee does not leave the class licensable weaponry unattended unless he or she is satisfied that it is being kept or stored in a secure manner;

(d) the employee does not transfer, or allow to be transferred, to another person possession of the class licensable weaponry unless the other person first produces to the employee acceptable proof of the other person’s authorisation to possess the class licensable weaponry;

(e) the employee complies with every direction given by the employee’s employer that is a precaution to protect people from alarm relating to the use or possession of the class licensable weaponry during the staging of the film, television or theatrical production.

PART 3

COUNTER-TERRORISM EXERCISE

Role play in counter-terrorism exercise

10.—(1)  Every individual who —

(a) is playing a role in a counter‑terrorism exercise; and

(b) is expressly authorised by the organiser of the counter‑terrorism exercise to use any class licensable weaponry or relevant explosive in the course of his or her role,

is subject to a class licence authorising the individual’s use or possession or use and possession of any class licensable weaponry or relevant explosive (as the case may be) when playing that role in the counter‑terrorism exercise.

(2)  To avoid doubt, the class licence under this paragraph does not authorise the use and possession of any gun, explosive or any other weapon which is not a class licensable weaponry or relevant explosive by an individual playing a role in a counter‑terrorism exercise.

Conditions of role-playing class licence

11.  A class licensee by virtue of paragraph 10 may use or possess or use and possess any class licensable weaponry or relevant explosive that he or she is authorised to use or possess under that paragraph, subject to all the following conditions:

(a) the class licensee uses or possesses the class licensable weaponry or relevant explosive (as the case may be) only —

(i) during the period and at the location of the counter‑terrorism exercise; and

(ii) while under the supervision and control of the organiser of the counter‑terrorism exercise;

(b) the class licensee does not leave the class licensable weaponry or relevant explosive (as the case may be) unattended unless he or she is satisfied that it is being kept or stored in a secure manner;

(c) the class licensee does not transfer, or allow to be transferred, to another person possession of the class licensable weaponry or relevant explosive (as the case may be) unless the other person first produces to the class licensee acceptable proof of the other person’s authorisation to possess the class licensable weaponry or relevant explosive;

(d) the class licensee complies with every direction given by the organiser of the counter‑terrorism exercise that is a precaution to protect people from alarm relating to the conduct of the counter‑terrorism exercise.

Made on 26 May 2025.

PANG KIN KEONG

Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Home Affairs,
Singapore.

[112/2/029; AG/LEGIS/SL/121C/2020/19]

(To be presented to Parliament under section 92 of the Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act 2021).