Quentin Tarantino recently spoke out about the fatal shooting incident on the set of the film Rust in October 2021, in which Alec Baldwin accidentally fired a prop gun that killed director of photography Halyna Hutchins. Tarantino expressed his belief that the armorer on set, responsible for handling the gun, holds 90% of the responsibility for such incidents, while the actor is accountable for 10%. He emphasized the need for due diligence and proper safety protocols when handling firearms on set, and stressed that actors should always verify that the gun is clear before proceeding with a scene.
Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial was dismissed in July 2022 after his lawyers argued that prosecutors had hidden evidence relevant to the case. However, in January 2023, Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter along with two crew members involved in the incident. The armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, pleaded not guilty to the charges and her trial began in February, resulting in her being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison in April. Gutierrez-Reed expressed regret and acknowledged her shortcomings in handling the situation on the set of Rust.
During the podcast hosted by Bill Maher, Tarantino discussed the safety measures that should be in place on a set involving firearms. He emphasized the importance of going through all necessary steps and ensuring that the gun is loaded with the appropriate blanks for the scene. Tarantino also highlighted the responsibility of the actor to verify the number of rounds in the gun and take appropriate action if there is any issue. He suggested that if an actor is aware of a malfunction with the gun, they should stop the scene immediately.
The incident on the set of Rust occurred during a rehearsal when Baldwin unintentionally discharged the gun he was holding, resulting in the death of Hutchins and injuries to director Joel Souza. Despite his denial of pulling the trigger and assertion of innocence, Baldwin faced legal consequences with the involuntary manslaughter charge. The tragic event shed light on the potential dangers of firearms on set and raised questions about the overall safety protocols and practices within the film industry.
Overall, the Rust shooting tragedy brought attention to the need for stricter safety measures and protocols when handling firearms on film sets. The involvement of various individuals, including the armorer and the actor like Baldwin, underscored the shared responsibility in ensuring the safety of everyone involved in the production. The fallout from the incident led to legal implications for those directly involved, serving as a cautionary tale for the industry and emphasizing the importance of maintaining stringent safety standards to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
