Maybe I just don’t understand the protocols for gun handling on a movie/theatrical set. I do understand them for ranges and general use. The consequences of an accidental discharge are so dire, particularly in a situation where the gun is intentionally aimed at a person, how the movie industry could be more lax than a shooting range is unimaginable.
1) If the gun is in my hand, it’s not clear in my mind until I clear it, period. Once it’s in my hands, if there is an accidental discharge that’s on me, period, so I either check it or I’m not picking it up. I don’t care who hands it to me or how impressive their credentials are.
2) It would make me very nervous to take a gun capable of firing a live round, lining up the sights on a person I had no intention of shooting, cocking it, and pulling the trigger; regardless of the circumstance. My almost exclusive experience is when I line up the sights on a live target and fire, the target dies. Not quite sure I could do it. Possibly just my ignorance but I don’t quite understand with all the “movie magic” available currently, it’s still necessary to have a standard gun utilized as a movie prop.
I’m reminded of an incident I personally had quite a few years ago. Had to pick up about a dozen long guns from the evidence room of a local Sheriff Dept. The Detective handling the transfer, who I knew quite well, made it very clear very quickly he was grossly insulted the first thing I did with the first gun was open the bolt to make sure it was clear. He was still railing at me as I picked up the second gun, a 300 Mag hunting rifle. Slammed the bolt open and a live round flew across the room. He got quiet real quick as the blood drained out of his face. That gun had been in evidence three years and was exhibited in trial. The round had apparently been in the chamber the entire time. As I picked up the third gun to clear, he recovered his composure and helped me clear the rest of the guns before I took custody of them. I didn’t say anything back to him and we never spoke about it again.
I’ve had a smattering of other incidents where people I highly respect and trust tell me a gun is clear when it turns out not to be. If I hand someone a gun, I expect them to clear it rather than taking my word.
I don’t pretend to know the legal responsibilities of the persons involved in handling the gun, particularly in light of the laws of a state I’m unfamiliar with. It is difficult to understand how the negligence of one or more of the parties wouldn’t rise to a level to meet the requirements for manslaughter or third degree murder or whatever they call negligent homicide in New Mexico. Also hard to imagine how Baldwin skates criminally or civilly as both a producer and trigger man. Regardless of my thoughts of Baldwin (which are rare and generally unfavorable) I sincerely hate it for him, Halyna Hutchins, and her family, partly because her death and resulting fallout both could and SHOULD have been avoided with nominal effort and basic level of care. It’s just a sad and senseless situation.
Regardless whether Baldwin is a decent guy or a waste of air, regardless what the final consequences to him criminally and civilly, how many times and for how many years is he going to wake in the middle of the night feeling the unexpected recoil from a live round, seeing Hutchins’ face, watching her fall? How long does the pain of loss last for Hutchins’ husband and children? And why? Because three out of three people who handled the gun were apparently too careless to check it and with absolute certainty the last to touch it didn’t check it. Just sad..,
