Alec Baldwin Fires Prop Gun on Set, Killing Cinematographer

[JBatmanFan05]

I'm not sure I agree with this opinion piece at all, but it's interesting how clear this person perceives the case is (I don't think it's nearly this clear):

Baldwin should be charged, as he was, with involuntary manslaughter, which involves the “commission of a lawful act which might produce death … without due caution.”
. . .
Handling weapons, like transporting vinyl chloride or bungee jumping, requires a certain level of care. As any graduate of a concealed-carry course can tell you concerning guns, the requisite level of care involves four elements. First, always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction, even when dry firing. Second, treat all guns as though they are loaded. Third, keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. And four, always be sure of your target and what’s beyond it. Baldwin failed them all.

Remember, involuntary manslaughter involves an act that causes death “without due caution.” By failing every gun-safety rule, Baldwin acted without due caution. This is an easy case.

Baldwin’s only conceivable defense would be that he did not realize the gun was real, in which case he would have been using appropriate caution for a fake gun. But he knew the gun was real and instead claims he never pulled the trigger. That is far-fetched, and even if true, he still failed Gun Safety 101. So he is still liable for involuntary manslaughter.

https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/op...un-safety-rule

[Kirby101]

Again, and where this person is stupidly wrong. In the movies, people point guns at one another, put there fingers on triggers and fire at each other. They way they know the gun is not loaded or with blanks is the person responsible, the armored or AD, tells them. They are told "cold gun", as Baldwin was.
This was a movie set, NOT a gun range or carrying a concealed weapon. This is tantamount to citing speed laws or a safe driving course to a stuntman doing a high speed chase in a movie.
If in a fight scene there is an accident and someone is seriously injured, the nobody is charged with assault like it's a bar fight.
Do people understand the first thing about making movies?

[numberthirty]

Again, and where this person is stupidly wrong. In the movies, people point guns at one another, put there fingers on triggers and fire at each other. They way they know the gun is not loaded or with blanks is the person responsible, the armored or AD, tells them. They are told "cold gun", as Baldwin was.
This was a movie set, NOT a gun range or carrying a concealed weapon. This is tantamount to citing speed laws or a safe driving course to a stuntman doing a high speed chase in a movie.
If in a fight scene there is an accident and someone is seriously injured, the nobody is charged with assault like it's a bar fight.
Do people understand the first thing about making movies?

Here's the obvious issue there...

It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to say that while ignoring all of the folks who make movies who have pointed out that Baldwin should have seen for himself that the gun was empty.

[Kirby101]

Here's the obvious issue there...

It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to say that while ignoring all of the folks who make movies who have pointed out that Baldwin should have seen for himself that the gun was empty.

All the folks is maybe two or three. Many, many, many more have said that Baldwin was not responsible.
That is the obvious issue.

[Frobisher]

Not saying it’s related, but didn’t Alec Baldwin used to do a funny impression of a certain NYC slum landlord and bit-part actor? Someone who many Americans seem to deify and fear in equal measure for some weird reason.

[numberthirty]

All the folks is maybe two or three. Many, many, many more have said that Baldwin was not responsible.
That is the obvious issue.

From page eleven -

https://www.sagaftra.org/files/safet...rt_1_9_3_0.pdf

Treat all weapons as though they are
loaded and/or ready to use. Do not play
with weapons and never point one at
anyone, including yourself.

[numberthirty]

https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/mov...f-rust-tragedy

Bay Area prop professionals discuss gun safety protocols in wake of ‘Rust’ tragedy

At least three more inspections follow — first within the prop team, then by an assistant director, then by the actor who will use the weapon. Anyone else who wants to inspect it — other actors in the scene; camera operators near the line of fire — are given the chance to do so as a courtesy. During this whole procedure, said Musni, “there’s no rush.”

But the final step is always the same.

“The prop person waits to make sure that the actor has acknowledged that he has seen the gun and it’s in the state that the actor expects it to be in, either unloaded, loaded with blanks or loaded with dummy rounds,” Martin said. “The prop person then hands the weapon to the actor and backs away, and the scene commences.”

[numberthirty]

Past that, some "Basics 101..." from someone who actually does it for a living...

“A lot of times, a director of photography who’s not used to it would love to see the muzzle of the gun directly pointed at the camera at the time of discharge,” he said. “That’s crazy, even if it’s just a blank ammunition shot. There’s still propellant coming out of it. So you explain to them, ‘No, that’s not safe to do. The actor can aim the gun into a mirror so you can achieve the shot. Worst case scenario is a broken mirror and some soiled pants.’ ”

[numberthirty]

Some more "Basics 101..." from that same piece...

“The reason we have all these protocols is that you can make 10 mistakes and still not kill anybody, because you did the 11th thing right,” he said. “What happened in New Mexico on that set is way, way not normal. We shoot big things every day in this business. Think of every movie you’ve seen, all the gunfire. We throw cars off of bridges, and no one gets hurt.”

[Kirby101]

From page eleven -

https://www.sagaftra.org/files/safet...rt_1_9_3_0.pdf

Selective quotes are a bitch.

Follow the direction of the Property Master and/or Weapons Master regarding all weapons.

Clearly your truncated quote was not about actually doing scenes when the director tells you to point a gun. Clearly.

[Kirby101]

https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/mov...f-rust-tragedy

This article clearly lays the blame at the prop master not Baldwin. Clearly. Once again showing how inane it was to charge him.

We have to always remember, when we hand them a sword, something to shave their face with, a firearm, that they are counting on us to take care of them in that moment.”

[numberthirty]

https://deadline.com/2023/03/alec-ba...al-1235284163/

‘Rust’ D.A. Refutes Alec Baldwin Lawyer’s Claim Gun That Killed Halyna Hutchins Was Destroyed; “Can Be Used As Evidence” – Update

Alec Baldwin’s defense team are wrong that the gun that killed Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins has been destroyed, says the Santa Fe District Attorney’s office.

“The gun Alec Baldwin used in the shooting that killed Halyna Hutchins has not been destroyed by the state,” asserts New Mexico First Judicial D.A. spokesperson Heather Brewer to Deadline today. “The gun is in evidence and is available for the defense to review,” she adds.

[The Cool Thatguy]

I'm not sure I agree with this opinion piece at all, but it's interesting how clear this person perceives the case is (I don't think it's nearly this clear):

https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/op...un-safety-rule

The problem with 'failing every gun safety rule' is that none of these things, like 'never point a gun at someone' are not rules or laws, but suggestions, ultimately.

Given the sheer number of people who die in America because of stupidity involving guns, it seems odd to hold Baldwin to a higher standard

[numberthirty]

The problem with 'failing every gun safety rule' is that none of these things, like 'never point a gun at someone' are not rules or laws, but suggestions, ultimately.

Given the sheer number of people who die in America because of stupidity involving guns, it seems odd to hold Baldwin to a higher standard

- Sons Of Anarchy: Seven seasons/Not one death
- Mayans M.C.: Four seasons so far/Not one death
- Snowfall: Six seasons/Not one death

[inisideguy]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/sp...6bbbb56f&ei=29

Ok this lady just stepped down. Turns out she is a republican serving in the New Mexico gov as a state representative. Can we all agree this is a total farce now?

Andrea Reeb, the special prosecutor in the “Rust” case, resigned on Tuesday, saying she did not want questions about her dual roles as a legislator and prosecutor to “cloud” the issues