You need a permit to do everything in America. You even need a passport to buy a drink. But interestingly you don’t need one if you wish to rent some guns and some bullets. I needed a 50 cal (very big) machinegun. “No problem,” said the man at the shop. “But could you just sign this assuring us that the movie you’re making is not anti-Bush or anti-war.”
Jeremy Clarkson writing in the Times about filming in the US
Blimey. Could that article have been funnier? Oh my goodness. Thanks for giving me a good laugh.
No you don't.
Except that you don't.
Let's see; incompetent immigration officials, silly permit rules, and idiots working at Petrol stations. Wow, that's got Police state written all over it.
Permit for filming is basically taxation. It's typically a city law. For example, you do NOT need a permit to film in Charlotte.
(LA and Las Vegas are obvious filming hotspots so there is the taxation incentive).
You do NOT need a passport to buy beer there. You need some form of ID to prove your age. His passport (as a UK tourist abroad) was his choice.
A .50 cal machine gun is serious business. I can't emphasise how big this is. This kind of weapon is MOUNTED to the front of a tank due to it's extreme recoil.
With all the love in the world, I think he's mistaken with his description of the firearm.
The person asking him to sign a waiver to say he's not filming anything anti-war or anti-bush is doing that as a private citizen / company as is their right to rent gear to whomever they choose.