
<p>Getting off the political beat for a moment, I got drawn into the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set for the Alec Baldwin movie “Rust.” ; It was a tragedy – and, by all standards, an accident. ; At least not intentional. ; But even accidents have ramifications if there is negligence or reckless behavior involved.</p>



<p>The most obvious possibility would be civil suits against all of those involved in the handling of the gun – and those who did the hiring. ; That could go all the way up to Baldwin as the producer – the man ultimately in charge. ; Hutchins’ father may reconsider his initial statement that he did not blame Baldwin. ; While it will not bring his daughter back or ease the pain, there is no reason to seek some sense of justice with a large financial settlement.</p>



<p>In the chain of mistakes and disregard for safe procedures, Baldwin is arguably culpable as the person who fired the shot – or shots. ; His mistake was pointing the gun at Hutchins and Director Joel Souza. ; According to those familiar with the handling of guns – even prop guns – on movie sets, one never, never points the gun at another person. ; When a shot is to be directed toward the camera, all personnel move away from the camera after setting it up. ; If this was just a dry-run rehearsal or practice – as some reports have stated – there was even less reason for pointing the gun at a person.  ; In fact, in such cases, a phony gun is used.</p>



<p>Certainly, the Hutchins family has every reason to sue virtually all those involved in the production of the scene. ; The other person with grounds for a lawsuit is Souza. ; His situation is more complicated since he is both a victim and arguably a person responsible – a potential defendant in a civil suit. ; He could hypothetically sue himself – although that is not a real option.</p>



<p>Then there is the possibility of criminal charges. ; In this case, it would be involuntary manslaughter. ; That would depend on whether the death was the result of reckless disregard for the life and safety of the two victims.</p>



<p>The essential question is how live ammunitions got into the gun – and by whom. ; Related to that is why a real gun was used as a prop. ; Several experts in handling guns on movie sets have said that there is no reason for a real gun – and that a prop gun is constructed or modified to accept only short blanks and not full-size bullets.</p>



<p>It was reported that someone yelled “cold gun” before handing the weapon to Baldwin. ; How did it happen that it was not a “cold gun”? ; And why was there even live ammunition on the set? ; And according to recent reports, there was a “massive” amount of live ammunition on the set.</p>



<p>I would be surprised if there were not several civil suits filed. ; And I think that the possibility of a criminal case being filed against one or more of those involved in the handling of the gun – including Baldwin – is very probable. ; It is obvious that there was reckless disregard for safety procedures in the handling of the gun. ; And that may include Baldwin’s pointing the weapon at the deceased and the injured. ; If that violates rules and procedures, it could be viewed as reckless disregard – involuntary manslaughter..</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

Is Alec Baldwin in trouble?
