Armorer says 'live ammo and blanks should never be on the same set' in response to 'Rust' shooting
- A tragic accidental shooting on the set of the film, "Rust" killed a cinematographer.
- Actor and producer Alec Baldwin was handed the gun by an assistant director, an affidavit said.
A stunt coordinator, armorer, and former NYPD officer, Scott Coscia, explained the safety protocols that should have been followed on the set of "Rust."
"There's enough blame to go around in this scenario," said Coscia. "It seems like no safety protocols were followed." He added that rumors about two previous "accidental discharges" were "a huge red flag."
Actor Alec Baldwin was practicing firing the gun for a scene when he accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring of director Joel Souza on set.
According to an affidavit, Dave Halls, the assistant director, handed the weapon to Baldwin, calling it "cold gun," which typically means that it not loaded with live rounds. The affidavit also indicates that 24-year-old head armorer Hannah Guttierez prepared the weapon.
Coscia said, in the context of a film production, only a small group of specialized crewmembers should have access to a gun or any other on-set prop weapons.
He also said the talent should be given the weapon directly "before a take," the weapon should then be removed "after the take is done," and should not be left unattended.
While displaying a blank and a 9mm bullet, Coscia said: "Live ammo and blanks should never be in the same zipcode - let alone the same set."
"There's no reason under any circumstances to have live ammunition on any set," he said.
"To save a dime sometimes, you hire people who are not fully qualified for the complicated and dangerous job, and you risk the lives of the other people who are close and your lives as well," Serge Svetnoy, chief electrician for the film, said in a Facebook post, calling such a decision the "fault of negligence and unprofessionalism."
"No saved penny is worth the LIFE of the person!" he added.
Baldwin said he is "fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how this tragedy occurred."
"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," the actor said.