How Could Alec Baldwin’s Set Tragedy Happen? Breaking Down Prop Gun Safety Protocols

On Thursday, the star and producer of “Rust,” Alec Baldwin, fired a gun in an on-set accident that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza.

While the Santa Fe County Sheriff Office’s investigation is still ongoing, the entertainment industry has a long-established and extensive set of protocols regarding the use of firearms on set.If properly followed by a production’s cast and crew, they make a tragedy like this one impossible.On any set, the prop master — or in some cases, a weapons expert — is responsible for obtaining, maintaining, and handling all firearms for the production.

According to Local 44, which oversees prop masters, the gun contained a live round and the “Rust” call sheet did not list any members of Local 44.

Sante Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Juan Rios told Deadline that they have not yet confirmed whether the projectile was live or a blank.

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