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Death of RUST Cinematographer Sparks Conversation about Firearm Protocols

MSNBC/YouTube

Death of RUST Cinematographer Sparks Conversation about Firearm Protocols

By Movieguide® Staff

While rehearsing for the upcoming Western RUST on location in New Mexico, actor Alec Baldwin discharged a gun, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring the film’s director, Joel Souza.

Hutchins was rushed to a hospital by helicopter and was soon pronounced dead. Souza was taken by ambulance to a separate medical center. And in the aftermath of it all, Baldwin voices his sorrow regarding the incident as well as his sympathy to the family of the deceased.

Oct. 22, on Twitter, the actor said:

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 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.

Authorities are currently looking into the fatal shooting on set, and criminal charges have yet to be ruled out.

Mary Carmack-Altwies, the local district attorney, told the New York Times, “We haven’t ruled out anything.”

Being a Western, a hefty portion of firearms and ammunition have been used during the filming of the movie. Detectives said they retrieved three revolvers in addition to a number of spent casings and ammunition from the set.

In the midst of the tragic death of Hutchins and the uncertainty of the investigation surrounding the handling of weapons on the set of RUST, questions regarding the legitimacy of firearm use in cinema have resurfaced.

In light of the recent incident, several major studios are conducting talks about their current gun safety policies and whether they warrant further changes.

Guns appear in many of the major action movies Hollywood puts out these days, but they’ve never really been scarce. Since the early days of American filmmaking, guns have been a common weapon of choice for on-screen storytellers.

One of the oldest US films to include a gun on-screen was ANNIE OAKLEY (1894), which was produced by Edison Manufacturing Company.

Since that time, guns, guts and glamor have filled the silver screen to evoke an emotive reaction from film audiences, whether it be sorrow, surprise or nervous anticipation.

Firearms frequented entertainment since the golden days of Hollywood, providing a mainstay for war flicks, espionage series, and crime-based dramas.

According to reports, the gun violence present in PG-13 movies has practically tripled since 1985.

As a Hollywood Reporter feature pointed out:

Since 9/11, America’s obsession with everything spy, terrorism and war-related has grown — and the content the population consumes increasingly reflects that.

The presence of guns in films is as polarized and sensitive a topic as guns are themselves. Some say that anti-gun activists like Matt Damon, who also happen to be movie stars making “fortunes wielding guns onscreen,” display hypocrisy.

While the gun Baldwin wielded that led to Hutchins’ death has been referred to as a “prop gun,” Carmack-Altwies wants to make it clear that the weapon was a genuine firearm, not merely a “prop.”

Since the shooting, various people involved in the moviemaking industry have voiced concerns about using real guns on set.

Eric Kripke, who helps direct, write and produce THE BOYS, tweeted, “No more guns with blanks on any of my sets ever. We’ll use VFX muzzle flashes. Who’s with me?”

In a similar vein, some Hollywood creatives have further suggested the use of Air Soft guns in place of real firearms with VFX flashes to be added in post.

On the flipside, some argue that firearms provide genuine kickback and other realistic details, details Air Soft weapons and special effects could not perfectly simulate.

“As industry discussions continue,” reports Deadline, “there are no indication that any studio or streamer are implementing a blanket policy banning “live” weapons from all of their shows.”

Several representatives within the industry would like to move away from the use of real guns. Filmmaker Bandar Albuliwi launched an online petition to this effect via Change.org, which has garnered more than 70,000 signatures.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.