'Rust' Armorer Convicted

[biku324]

Looks like the 'Rust' movie set armorer got convicted of involuntary manslaughter by a jury. Baldwin's trial is in July. "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed convicted of involuntary manslaughter | AP News

 

[Countrycuz]

I didn't follow the trial, but I would think the chief job of a movie armorer would be the safety and security of firearms on site. I'm not saying anyone else is involved, only that she failed her job and was found legally responsible.

 

[1sailor]

Baldwin was the last person to handle that firearm before it went off. Whether it was his fault or not he had the last chance to save that girl. A little training on his part could have made all the difference. Never take anyone's word that a gun is safe.

 

[Tom S.]

Baldwin was the last person to handle that firearm before it went off. Whether it was his fault or not he had the last chance to save that girl. A little training on his part cold have made all the difference. Never take anyone's word that a gun is safe.

Not to mention the number one rule of firearm safety: Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. Some one's head is not a safe direction.

 

[Ματθιας]

Let's be honest, nothing is likely to happen to Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed was always going to be the one holding the bag.

If this same situation involved regular folks and NOT a member of the Hollywood elite the trial would've been over long ago and both would already be doing time.

I think both are equally guilty - both should've checked, re-checked, checked the ammo again and verified the ammo was what it was supposed to be before doing anything. They didn't.

 

[Countrycuz]

As I understand it, Baldwin was the producer, which throws safety procedure on him. As an actor, he could have checked the gun. The statement said it was a rehearsal, no need to pull the trigger, especially pointed at someone.

 

[old tanker]

They have been making cowboy shoot 'em ups for over a hundred twenty years. Untold millions of blanks and live rounds have been fired in all that time with very few accidents because, for the most part, people took safety procedures seriously. There was enough testimony from crafts people, gaffers and the like, that the industry standard protocols and practices that they had seen on other productions weren't being followed.

The arguement that Baldwin, as the executive producer, should have done a better job ensuring the armorer was competent will be as much problem for him as pulling the trigger on that revolver

 

[Ματθιας]

Here's what the medical examiner had to say:


[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ond-JCU2MTA[/ame]


It starts @ 30:22

 

[jughed440]

One fact that is seldom mentioned is that her father Thell Reed, a longtime Hollywood armorer and stuntman, got her the job.

 

[Ματθιας]

One fact that is seldom mentioned is that her father Thell Reed, a longtime Hollywood armorer and stuntman, got her the job.

No offense, but what does that have to do with what happened that day?

 

[Kinman]

There is a list of people that were injured or killed while filming, firearms, helicopter crashes, etc. In the end someone is responsible but who is willing to step up and admit guilt when everything you have is on the line. It reminds me of the high numbers of military personnel that are killed or injured while "training". I believe much of the "training" is a cop out for horseplay gone wrong, you can't put kids behind the wheel of performance vehicles and expect them to always be acting in good faith. It was reported that before the unfortunate incident occurred some of the other actors, doubles, gaffers, etc. were out fooling around with these very same firearms shooting cans, etc. Probably out of boredom in between scenes, etc. Someone got careless mixing live ammo with blanks on a loading table and bingo we've got a problem Houston.
As unpopular an opinion as it might be I blame whoever was holding the firearm, unless there was a fight over who was going to be holding it when it went off. There have been incidents where single action Colt type firearms have gone off without having their triggers pulled as Baldwin has stated, he was still responsible for where the firearm was pointed when it went off accidently. I had my one accidental firearm discharge while releasing the slide on a Colt Mustang .380. I know for a fact that I did not have my finger on the trigger and took it back to the guy I traded with who was very gun savvy. He loaded the magazine three times with snap caps before it dropped the hammer on round and after his personal interest found that that firearm has a nasty tendency to perform in that manner, with wear and usuage. It is my no means a miniature 1911. Sorry to drift...

 

[Mule Packer]

This would've never happened if John Wayne was starring in the picture instead of Alec Baldwin. I sure miss him.

 

[TJm15.38]

There were 20 seasons of "Gunsmoke" without a firearms incident. I would wager that James Arness as Matt Dillon was ultimately more qualified to handle a weapon than Alec Baldwin. Think I could also say the same thing about Clint Eastwood. There was a great article in American Rifleman about the guns of "The Outlaw Josey Wales." It is still one of my favorites to this day.

 

[Exaviator]

I feel that it was very much a case of, "Familiarity breeds contempt."

 

[Ματθιας]

Here's the link for the police body cam compilation of what happened that day. I can't/won't post the live link as there's some cussing in the background.

Just copy and paste the bolded title in the YouTube search box and you'll find it.
Hannah Gutierrez Armorer RUST body cam compilation - Police New Mexico BALDWIN MOVIE SET

 

[Rudi]

If I was a betting man, I' bet Baldwin skates.

 

[UncleEd]

When it comes to gun handling on
movie sets, armorers are responsible
for loading the blanks. They are loaded
based on the needs of what firing
sequences are planned for the shot, be it a
rifle, shotgun, pistol or revolver.

The actor is then given the "prop"
for use according to the script. The
actor may or may not be a gun person
in his/her personal life. That prop
though a real firearm is the responsbibility
of the armorer.

Also on set assistant directors or possibly
someone with the title of assistant producer
might also have some responsibility.

In the case of Baldwin, though the producer,
was at that moment an actor and as such
was relying on the armorer or whoever gave
him the "cold" gun, the prop.

IF the final use of a firearm in scene was up to
the actor, production would have a never ending
round-about, the armorer checks the gun, the
actor (who may know little about guns) checks
the firearm, the armorer checks the firearm to
make sure the load sequence is correct, the actor
checks the firearm and on and on.

Face it, a number of posters just wish
Baldwin was found guilty because he's not
liked in the firearms community.

 

[John Patrick]

When it comes to gun handling on
movie sets, armorers are responsible
for loading the blanks. They are loaded
based on the needs of what firing
sequences are planned for the shot, be it a
rifle, shotgun, pistol or revolver.

The actor is then given the "prop"
for use according to the script. The
actor may or may not be a gun person
in his/her personal life. That prop
though a real firearm is the responsbibility
of the armorer.

Also on set assistant directors or possibly
someone with the title of assistant producer
might also have some responsibility.

In the case of Baldwin, though the producer,
was at that moment an actor and as such
was relying on the armorer or whoever gave
him the "cold" gun, the prop.

IF the final use of a firearm in scene was up to
the actor, production would have a never ending
round-about, the armorer checks the gun, the
actor (who may know little about guns) checks
the firearm, the armorer checks the firearm to
make sure the load sequence is correct, the actor
checks the firearm and on and on.

Face it, a number of posters just wish
Baldwin was found guilty because he's not
liked in the firearms community.

Baldwin was and remained the producer at all times, whether he was, at any moment, acting or not.

 

[03hemi]

SAG, screen actors guild says it's ultimately "your" responsibility to ensure the safety of yourself and your "fellow" actors when doing stunts or handling firearms.
So according to the SAG, it's Baldwin's fault.

 

[yaktamer]

Some forum topics never get old.