entertainment

Baldwin was told gun was 'cold' before movie set shooting

81 Comments
By MORGAN LEE and WALTER BERRY

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


81 Comments
Login to comment

Just 6 hours ago, Alec Baldwin, with no attorney, issued a public statement via Twitter and informally addressed this tragedy and offered condolences & support to the grieving families of the deceased & injured:

@AlecBaldwin; 1. -“There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife, mother and deeply admired colleague of ours. I'm fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how this tragedy occurred and …

12:33 AM · Oct 23, 2021

@AlecBaldwin: 2. - “I am in touch with her husband, offering my support to him and his family. My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna.

12:37 AM · Oct 23, 2021

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Local media just updated just 1hr ago:

Investigators cannot confirm nor deny if the ammunition was in fact a live round, said Juan Ríos, a spokesman for the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. Deputies are still at the movie set collecting evidence, and witness interviews are underway, he added.” -

https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/baldwin-no-words-to-convey-my-shock-and-sadness/article_73bc2302-334d-11ec-b2b6-6f5fe3cd1edd.html -

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

It looks like someone loaded real bullets in the gun. Guns should be checked before filming a shooting scene.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Two people were shot!

"The union is to vote soon on a new contract with producers after threatening to strike in recent weeks over issues including long hours and on-set safety.

The ironies keep building up in this case. Tragic.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Always Be Checking the weapons!

4 ( +6 / -2 )

These low budget film has been doomed from the start. Labor trouble with staff working long hours, strikes, cutting corners often, etc. Something was bound to happen with all of this carelessness on the set.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Something was bound to happen with all of this carelessness on the set.

Don't remember you raising any concerns previously.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

With all the money in Hollywood you'd think someone could invent a prop gun that 1) looked real but was impossible to load real bullets into and 2) didn't have the potential to hurt or kill even when firing blanks.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

What a tragedy,such things should not happen in a professional set.

RIP to that poor Lady.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

The movie will never be finished and there will be many people suing for damages. It's the American way.

Not particularly the American way, but logically the legal and standard way. Accident or not, Baldwin killed someone so either he or the studio, someone will have to pay and compensate these families, medical bills. Again, can’t stand Baldwin as a person, but in this situation I feel bad for him, he didn’t want this, but someone screwed up and there are always consequences to that, now what form that should be in, that’s a legal issue that the courts will have to make.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

A gun stuffed with anything even with blanks can be quite lethal. Even a BB gun can be lethal.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Apparently Baldwin was given a prop gun loaded with live ammunition by an ass-istant director!? Bruce Lee Redux! But how did Baldwin come to shoot her in the chest? Many questions to be answered, and somebody will have to answer for this "accident" before a judge. This tragic case will leave many grieving, but let's hope that in the end this strange incident is explained and resolved to everyone's satisfaction.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I don't understand how two people get shot, wouldn't you drop the gun in shock after the first?

I don't understand why the cinematographer got shot. Why is he pointing at her and not another actor when pulling the trigger?

Hopefully things will be clearer later.

Baldwin tweeted a while back after policy wrongly shot someone "I wonder what it's like to wrongly kill someone". sadly he's finding out.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Makes me think of Brandon Lee.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Baldwin is to blame. What he did was not intentional I'm sure but it was his responsibility to make sure the gun was safe, it was in his hands after all. Everyone knows not to point an unloaded gun at anyone else. I don't know if Baldwin is a gun owner and user but he broke one of the cardinal rules.

There seems to be a lack of detail regarding what exactly happened but I'm sure it will all come out soon.

-9 ( +6 / -15 )

This is not a political issue. This was a tragic accident in which someone has died as a result. Something went horribly wrong in a work related accident….that’s all.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Don't remember you raising any concerns previously.

Where were the JT articles on this movie before yesterday? The troubles of this movie have been well known and covered on other sites.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Live gun or no, it still does not explain why Baldwin was pointing it at Hutchins

If the article is to be believed, she was behind the camera doing her job. Just about every movie with gunfights features multiple scenes with actors shoot towards the camera.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

The first thing you do when handed a gun is check if it is loaded, and you make it safe. Baldwin's first mistake was not taking ownership of the guns condition when he took possession. While he will never make that mistake again, it is too late for one person.

The second thing he did wrong was point it at someone and pull the trigger. They were not filming so there should have been no reason to do such a thing.

A tragedy that should have been avoided.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Appears ALL comments made prior to the 12:00pm editorial changes and editions were unaware that there were, in fact, “live rounds” in the gun handed to Baldwin by the Assistant Director. - Can’t fault those users for their speculations on the limited information available at that early time. Moving forward…

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Live gun or no, it still does not explain why Baldwin was pointing it at Hutchins

Movie scenes are all illusion. That particular filmed scene could have called just for Baldwin to be aiming and firing. She may have been standing in the, supposedly safe, line of fire. Simple as that.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Sorry for the victim's families, a tragic accident and I feel sorry for Baldwin too, he'll carry it for a long time.

Seems like the gun was handed to Baldwin without a proper check, so unfortunately someone is responsible and will face consequences.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Shortmemories,

I don't understand how two people get shot, wouldn't you drop the gun in shock after the first?

The bullet went through her into him.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

The movie will never be finished and there will be many people suing for damages. It's the American way.

How sad that certain people need to make a tragedy into another bizarre rant about their hatred for the United States. One woman, a wife and mother of 2, is dead, and another in hospital. And this is your only thought? How sad that is.

I have no love of Baldwin and his extreme left-wing views, but I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

Informative. Appreciate to editorial content updates AND the included educational links to AP but 2pm is the 3rd generation of the headline for this story today.

2:00pm 3rd headline change: “Baldwin was told gun was 'cold' before movie set shooting” 

12:00pm: “Warrant: Baldwin didn’t know weapon contained live round”; 

Original Headline 6:00am: “Baldwin: Killing of cinematographer was ‘tragic accident’”

A yellow highlighted Note:, within the comments, as JT’s done in other threads as the article is updated would be equally appreciated.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

First rule with firearms is to always treat them as if they are loaded. It doesn't matter what anyone else says when they hand you a gun. You have to verify for yourself that the gun is not loaded.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

Note Avenger; above

0 ( +1 / -1 )

 assistant director Dave Halls stepped outside and grabbed a prop gun off a cart.

Why would the cart have a loaded gun on it anyway?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I don't understand why the cinematographer got shot. Why is he pointing at her

He was probably pointing the gun toward the camera for effect, and she was right behind it filming the scene. If he believed the gun had blanks and not a real bullet then he probably wasn't concerned about accuracy.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

How on earth do you have live ammo on a film location like this? you know that an actor is going to use a gun in a scene it should be loaded with blanks just at the point of filming then the gun should be stored for safety, why were these guns left unattended? it seems like it just lax procedures were in place, what a shame about this poor lady and her work colleague, I dont know if any prossicution will be filled against the actor, but on the other hand he did shoot her. what a mess that could have been easily been avoided.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Apparently a large portion of the crew was replaced by non-union locals a few days before the incident.

That would create multiple possibilities as to why there was a live round in the gun.

Maybe a new crew member supplied a gun that was not properly checked. Maybe some crew members were fooling around and shooting live rounds in their free time with prop weapons and forgot a live round….

3 ( +4 / -1 )

And as other posters have mentioned, almost all movies that include a dramatic scene of a character firing a gun will capture that image from the front. The DOP and Director are usually directly behind the camera.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

almost all movies that include a dramatic scene of a character firing a gun will capture that image from the front. The DOP and Director are usually directly behind the camera.

An armorer on the BBC this morning was saying that whenever a scene calls for a shot to be fired in the direction of the camera the camera is set on a tripod and there is no one behind or anywhere near the camera.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

I am thinking that Baldwin, as a rule, has very little knowledge of actual firearms and probably doesnt own any. His experience may be limited to the props he uses to make movies. As such, he hasn't learned the proper respect for guns, or basic safety precautions. To him, they are toys that make noise.

Not a fan of his views, but that is irrelevant here. There are genuine victims that need sympathy and compensation.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

he hasn't learned the proper respect for guns, or basic safety precautions

If someone handed me a gun on a film set and told me it was a prop, I would assume it was just that, a fake made to look real enough to fool the camera. I would not for a moment imagine it was a lethal weapon., any more than a kid’s water pistol is a lethal weapon,

Why on earth would anyone bring a real gun to a film set??

Unless it was done deliberately.….

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Maybe this @Attilathehungry current L.A. Times account will get other readers to better understand and get, perhaps some, to put aside their agendas and empathize with all persons on set at the time of the fatal incident:

“The actor was preparing to film a scene in which he pulls a gun out of a holster, according to a source close to the production. Crew members had already shouted “cold gun” on the set. The filmmaking team was lining up its camera angles and had yet to retreat to the video village, an on-set area where the crew gathers to watch filming from a distance via a monitor. 

Instead, the B-camera operator was on a dolly with a monitor, checking out the potential shots. Hutchins was also looking at the monitor from over the operator’s shoulder, as was the movie’s director, Joel Souza, who was crouching just behind her. 

Baldwin removed the gun from its holster once without incident, but the second time he did so, ammunition flew toward the trio around the monitor. The projectile whizzed by the camera operator but penetrated Hutchins near her shoulder, then continued through to Souza. Hutchins immediately fell to the ground as crew members applied pressure to her wound in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

Late Friday, the Associated Press reported that Baldwin was handed a loaded weapon by an assistant director who indicated it was safe to use in the moments before the actor fired it, according to court records. The assistant director did not know the prop gun was loaded with live rounds, according to a search warrant filed in a Santa Fe County court.” -

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2021-10-22/alec-baldwin-rust-camera-crew-walked-off-set

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I would not for a moment imagine it was a lethal weapon.,

Anything that fires any sort of projectile should be examined before using, that would be my common sense. I don’t care if it’s a Nerf gun.

any more than a kid’s water pistol is a lethal weapon,

You can do a lot of damage with a BB gun

Why on earth would anyone bring a real gun to a film set??

Unless it was done deliberately.….

And that is what the police are looking into. This is a very strange situation. It should never have happened and someone is in real trouble for this.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

A full, on set “eyewitness” account was provided earlier @7:58pm bass4funk from the more conclusive L.A. Times article: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2021-10-22/alec-baldwin-rust-camera-crew-walked-off-set. It is referenced, again, by teenage sister-station cbs42 article posted later but those were just “three people not authorized to speak and… unnamed’ who left the set prior to the incident in question.

*- "…lead actor and producer Alec Baldwin fatally shot the cinematographer and wounded the movie’s director with a prop gun, the Los Angeles Times reports." -*

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Why on earth would anyone bring a real gun to a film set??

To fire blanks realistically requires a real gun.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

To fire blanks realistically requires a real gun.

Not only that but the audiences have gotten smarter over the years and in movie making you want to create realism and get as close as you can, using a plastic gun will give the film a B-movie look and that is something you don't want.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I feel terrible for Baldwin. Something about this seems off. There really shouldn’t be any reason for live ammo to be anywhere near a movie set. Blanks? Yes. Dummy rounds? Yes. Live ammo? No way. Ultimately this is a tragedy that Baldwin really couldn’t have avoided. He trusted that the armorer did their job right and they didn’t.

I don’t expect Baldwin is going to face any criminal charges. Then again, I still don’t envy the fact that he’s going to have to live with this. Any criminal negligence charges will probably lie at the feet of the armorer and/or propmaster.

Remeber, folks. When you use scabs, you get what you pay for…

4 ( +5 / -1 )

If someone handed me a gun on a film set and told me it was a prop, I would assume it was just that, a fake made to look real enough to fool the camera. I would not for a moment imagine it was a lethal weapon., any more than a kid’s water pistol is a lethal weapon,

Why on earth would anyone bring a real gun to a film set??

Unless it was done deliberately.….

well, it looks as though Cleo has made up her mind, despite a complete dearth of details, that Alec Baldwin was set up by some nefarious character to kill the cinematographer and possibly the director.

Cleo assures us on a weekly basis that she is sober-minded and therefore has thought this through.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

it looks as though Cleo has made up her mind, despite a complete dearth of details, that Alec Baldwin was set up by some nefarious character to kill the cinematographer and possibly the director.

No, either he set out to kill them deliberately by pretending not to know the gun was loaded so he could shoot them in full view of everyone else on the set and still claim innocence; or he was totally stupid and irresponsible in waving a loaded gun around like it was a toy.

There isn't a complete dearth of details.

We know the gun was obviously loaded, because it killed one person and injured another; we know that there is no reason at all for a loaded gun to be anywhere near a film set; and we know that Baldwin was told it was a prop.

You can do a lot of damage with a BB gun

Even I can tell the difference between a BB gun and a water pistol.

I didn't understand why so many posters were roasting Baldwin for what genuinely seems to have been a tragic mistake/accident. Only just realised he's the bloke who did a spoof on Trump on Saturday Night Live. That's why the We-Know-All-There-Is-to-Know-About-Guns tribe are out for his blood.

Can't keep politics out of anything? Pathetic.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Ignorance of firearms by an anti-gun rights person.

5 minutes of training would have prevented this. That's the fault of Baldwin AND the "armourer" with most of the blame on the prop team for having real bullets uncontrolled on a set. There are industry standards for dealing with any firearm on a set - that includes fakes, props, and real firearms. The "armourer" is responsible for providing anyone touching the firearms with induction training.

Each time a gun is handed to a performer, the armourer must open the weapon’s breach and present it to the performer with verbal confirmation such as, “The weapon is clear”.

When the performer is satisfied that the gun is not loaded they should audibly confirm “Clear”.

...

Only blank or inert ammunition is brought to set and must be controlled at all times by the armourer.

There are some famous actors who refuse to point any firearm in their movies and have been that way for decades.

Ultimately, safety on set is the responsibility of the producer, the director and the first assistant director (First AD).

3 ( +4 / -1 )

How does anyone criticize Baldwin for this? They handed him a gun and told him it was safe ("cold"), and he shot it. I don't see any intent on his part, nor negligence.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

To him, they are toys that make noise.

And on a film set, that's what they should be.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Every gun is cold, only stupid using warm hands make it hot.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

There are some ridiculous comments about this tragedy.

If someone hands you a gun and tells you its not loaded and you believe them then your not fit to handle a gun.

Regardless if its a Prop gun , fake gun or toy gun its still a gun.

Whomever pulled the trigger should take responsibility for their actions.

And the correct safety gear for anyone working in the area as accidents can and do happen due to human negligence.

Movie set or not there's no excuse !

7 ( +7 / -0 )

In the interest of saving money, safety shortcuts were implemented, with tragic results.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Here are a few links to safty procedures on film sets: so there is safety procedures in place, who is responsable for the death and injury of two people?, it seems that it should be down to the armour, he or she is pretty much responsible for the checking of these guns.

https://news.sky.com/story/what-safety-measures-are-in-place-on-us-film-sets-and-what-other-deaths-have-there-been-12440927

https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/central/advice/filming/guidance-for-scenes-involving-weapons.pdf

https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/prop-guns-movie-sets-1.6221637

https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2021/10/23/22741990/gun-safety-rules-movie-sets-state-regulations-brandon-lee-alec-baldwin-rust-accidental-shooting

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The person firing the gun is as responsible as every other link in the chain that put it in his hands.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

You NEVER assume a gun is safe no matter who tells you it is. You always check it yourself.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

The armourer was a tattooed 24 year old incompetent who doubted her own competence. Appallingly, there had been mishaps and live bullets flying in the days previous to the killing and, unbelievably, nothing was done. This is incomprehensible. Were they all high on drugs? It’s the only explanation that makes any sense.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

aStrangerland How does anyone criticize Baldwin for this? They handed him a gun and told him it was safe ("cold"), and he shot it. I don't see any intent on his part, nor negligence.

“I didn’t know the gun was loaded”, has never been a credible excuse, and does, in fact, show extreme negligence.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Ultimately this is a tragedy that Baldwin really couldn’t have avoided. 

You have never handled a firearm, obviously.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Thats why its called a tragedy because it could have bin avoided !

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Baldwin ignored the most fundamental firearms handling rules, the most basic of which is to always personally check and know the status of the firearm in hand. Even if you see the person check it and it is safe, when handed to you, you always perform the check yourself.

More importantly, Baldwin ignored the rules used in Hollywood film shooting regarding prop firearms. An acquaintance of mine is a director in Hollywood, and he made a post that outlines the exact rules, policies, and procedures that govern prop firearms at a movie shoot. Baldwin, who was an actor, but also the producer in this film, were willfully not following these rules and procedures. Baldwin, in my book, is therefore to be held liable/accountable since he knowingly ignored the rules that are in force on a movie set (which include the basic rules of firearms handling that everyone should be following). This is not a "finger slipped" accident, but a willful violation of policy and procedure and he should be held accountable (and in jail).

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Those who are blaming Baldwin for not checking that the chamber was empty: I'm by no means an expert so may be missing something, but as far as I understand it "prop guns" are often intentionally not empty. A blank, for example, is still a round in the chamber.

Hence the designation of someone on set to be constantly present and responsible at all times for the condition of the guns.

There is doubtless a case to be made for him bearing some responsibility as producer for overall safety on set. However, as actors it seems ridiculous to expect them to be the experts-in-charge of firearms on set.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Also, having never held a gun before I have no idea how different a blank case looks to a live case. Would Baldwin have spotted it if he'd checked the chamber?

There are specific protocols that are used on film sets, which include lots of checks, as well as familiarization with the firearm by the armourer with the actor. He would have known. (And yes, a live round will look different). Baldwin is also the producer of the film, and has a higher responsibility. This is 100% on him.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

However, as actors it seems ridiculous to expect them to be the experts-in-charge of firearms on set.

They're not, other people are employed specifically for that purpose despite what the experts on here who have never even set foot on a film set will tell you. Baldwin is a co-producer of the film so he is in the chain of responsibility though. We don't even actually know if it was a live or misfired blank round yet.

Well yes, that's exactly my point.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites