Alec Baldwin, who shot fatally shot a cinematographer during the production of the film “Rust,” has recommended hiring police officers to make movie sets that use firearms safer, Fox News reported.
Baldwin posted to social media — a rare occurrence since the tragedy — expressing the belief that a police presence on movie sets would lead to fewer gun-related incidents.
“Every film/TV set that uses guns, fake or otherwise, should have a police officer on set, hired by the production, to specifically monitor weapons safety,” he tweeted.
Baldwin has been at the center of the most recent debate on firearms safety after an accident involving him occurred on set, resulting in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and the injury of director Joel Souza.
Baldwin is taking the brunt of the blame for this incident, being the person who fired the gun.
“His pitch is not dissimilar from the rules that are already in place for film productions in New York City, one of the world’s most densely populated film centers,” Fox News reported.
The implication being that Baldwin’s proposal might be more about covering his own beleaguered reputation, than about affecting any actual change.
“Productions are required to adhere to a code of conduct that spells out rules for parking, notifying neighbors and other details, including specifying that the sound of gunshots should not ring outdoors between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m.,” Fox News said. “For use of a weapon or prop firearm, the city also requires authorization from the police department and an officer to be on set.”
Many other film and TV sets have taken steps towards removing firearms from the premises.
ABC’s “The Rookie,” for example, announced that it will no longer use real guns on its sets, opting instead to use fake weapons and add in realistic sounds and muzzle flare via VFX.
The question of how live rounds made it on set of “Rust” in the first place remains unanswered. The investigation is ongoing.
