Actor Alec Baldwin may be charged with a crime again in light of recent developments in the investigation into the fatal shooting that occurred on the “Rust” set in 2021.
Independent testing on the gun used in the shooting apparently confirms that the trigger had to be pulled, the gun shot normally, and it did not malfunction. The report was presented in court and is part of a defense motion on behalf of the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who is facing charges connected to the incident.
The outcomes of this testing could lead to the re-filing of charges against Alec Baldwin, who had earlier maintained that he did not fire the trigger.
The Shooting and Baldwin’s Statements
The October 2021 shooting on the film set resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and the injury of director Joel Souza.
Baldwin, who was rehearsing a scene, fired a prop gun that struck both victims with a live round of ammunition. Baldwin has constantly stated that he drew back the gun’s hammer without cocking it and did not pull the trigger, resulting to the fatal shot.
New Independent Testing
The recent independent testing was conducted in New Mexico using a replacement hammer, trigger/sear, and bolt. This testing aimed to determine the gun’s functionality and if the trigger had to be pulled for it to fire. The report states that the gun fired normally, and the hammer had to be fully retracted to its rearward and cocked position, followed by the pull or depression of the trigger, for the firearm to discharge.
Possible Implications for Charges Against Baldwin
Involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin, originally filed in January, were dismissed in April, with the possibility of refiling. The latest report could influence the decision to refile charges against Baldwin.
If the findings suggest that the gun did not malfunction and required the trigger to be pulled, it could potentially lead to renewed charges against Baldwin, who may need to address his claims about the incident during any legal proceedings.
Future Developments
The investigation into the “Rust” shooting continues, with many questions still unanswered. Investigators are working to determine how live rounds ended up on the movie set and why proper safety measures were not in place.
The final decision regarding the charges against Baldwin is expected to be made within the next sixty days, as prosecutors carefully evaluate the new evidence and its implications.
Question: Are Hollywood actors who handle prop guns required to take firearms safety courses? If the answer is ‘no’, then Mr. Baldwin did nothing wrong even if he did pull the trigger. He was informed by two people that the gun was ‘cold’, which means, in Hollywood parlance, that it could not fire live ammo. He had no legal responsibility to confirm that.