How Can An Actor Possibly Be Culpable For This Death?

[ToraToraTora]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68038106

An actor is given what he must believe is a prop gun, fires it, kills someone. Prosecute the person who gave him the gun, maybe, but the actor? I just don't get it.

[ToraToraTora]

^^^^ err and your point is?

[THECORBYLOON]

"The Actors’ Equity Association also creates guidelines specifically for actors. Here are their safety tips for using firearms:

Treat all prop guns as if they are real.

Treat all guns as if they are loaded.

Unless you are actually performing or rehearsing, the property master must secure all firearms.

The property master or armorer should carefully train you in the safe use of any firearm you must handle. Be honest if you have no knowledge about guns. Do not overstate your qualifications.

Follow all instructions given by the qualified instructor.

Never engage in horseplay with any firearms or other weapons. Do not let others handle the gun issued to you for any reason.

All loading of firearms must be done by the property master, armorer, or experienced persons working under their direct supervision.

Never point a firearm at anyone including yourself. Always cheat the shot by aiming to the right or left of the target character. If asked to point and shoot directly at a living target, consult with the property master or armorer for the prescribed safety procedures.

If you are the intended target of a gunshot, make sure that the person firing in your direction has followed all these safety procedures.

If you are required to wear exploding blood squibs, make sure there is a bulletproof vest or other solid protection between you and the blast packet

 Use protective shields for all offstage cast within close proximity to any shots fired.

Appropriate ear protection should be offered to the cast members and crew.

***Check the firearm every time you take possession of it. Before each use, make sure the gun has previously been test-fired offstage. and then ask to test-fire it yourself. Watch the prop master check the cylinders and barrel to be sure no foreign object or dummy bullet has become lodged inside.***

Blanks can be dangerous. Even though they do not fire bullets out of the gun barrel, they still have a powerful blast that can maim or kill. 

Never attempt to adjust, modify, or repair a firearm yourself. If a weapon jams or malfunctions, corrections shall be made only by a qualified person. Notify a prop person or Armorer immediately.

When a scene is completed, the property master shall unload and take possession of the firearms. All weapons must be cleaned, checked, and inventoried by the prop department after each performance.

Live ammunition may not be brought into the theater or onto a studio lot.

If you are in a production where gunshots are to be fired and there is no qualified property master, go to the nearest phone and call Actors’ Equity Association. A union representative will make sure proper procedures are followed.

State and federal safety laws must be honored at all times.

If any of the above safety tips conflict with the instructions given by a qualified instructor, abide by the instructions from the qualified instructor. If you are still not sure, contact your Equity Business Representative." [emphasis added]

[douglas9401]

I'm torn between somebody trying to make a name for themself in the American legal world and somebody with a personal grudge against Mr Baldwin, they may even be the same person.

None of it makes sense in the real world.

[naomi24]

TTT, it must be investigated.  It can't just be shoved off because you think he's not culpable.  He was holding the gun.  That can't be ignored.

[THECORBYLOON]

The Actors’ Equity Association guidance isn't,

"Don't worry about checking firearms, that's not your job, you're an actor.

Someone else will have done that, you'll be fine, trust us."

[Countrylover]

Totally agree Tora

[bhg481]

I wonder how much of this is down to the Americans' casual attitude to guns.

[ToraToraTora]

13:34 it has been investigated and Mr Baldwin was not initially going to be prosecuted. This latest action hinges on the fact that he did actually pull the trigger when he initially said he did not. He must have done 1000s of scenes with guns, no idea why he initailly lied but it's immaterial anyway. The real questions to be asked are why is there even live ammunition present, why is the gun even capable of firing it and how did it get into the gun. None of those are pertinent to the actor.

[ToraToraTora]

13:46 "Totally agree Tora" - I need a lie down! 😁 Thanks.

[ToraToraTora]

13:34 Bang on Dougy, this has some sort of grudge written all over it. Makes no sense.

[fender62]

not sure what they expect to get out of mr baldwin, im sure he did not want to shoot her for real, negligence on whoever loaded to gun, people get hired to do there job correctly, especially when it come to deadly weapons! otherwise we would have to constantly check empoloyees work literally, accident by the gun props person..did not do there job correctly, unless they had a death wish.

[naomi24]

TTT, if it's been investigated why are there still unanswered questions?  I've never thought he was guilty but I can understand why questions need to be answered.

[piggynose]

Surely some mistake with BA by 2 mins, 13.32 was the BA! Imho.

[Countrylover]

Tora.  I have nothing against you and bear no grudges.  I will however expect you to be polite if I disagree with you on anything.  You have to accept that your views are not always right and stop name calling and trying to belittle people.  

[retrocop]

I believe the armourer was a very inexperienced young lady who was still learning on the job. She has to have some responsibility if she loaded live rounds instead of blanks.

[ToraToraTora]

15:14, ....@14:08, I was trying to be nice, TIC, smiley face???

[ToraToraTora]

retro, yes but why were  live rounds even present? Why was the gun even a real gun? Movies and TV are full of "guns" etc and I'm sure that the way to be safe is to make sure that a) there is no live ammo abd b) even if there was the "gun" is not capable of firing.

[vulcan42]

From the actors' equity associatioon

"Live ammunition may not be brought into the theater or onto a studio lot."

This is what should be investigated, who brought the live ammunition onto the set'?

[ToraToraTora]

15:02, why it's just a load of standard nitpicking irrelevant rowlocks cut out of some sort of online manual from the contrarian in chief who probably disagrees with himself most of the time.

[retrocop]

I agree with you. There is absolutely no need to have an active live firing weapon on the set or live rounds.I have a replica Walther PPK Blank Firing auto which would fool anyone as to its provenance and capability.It just makes a bang but looks the real McCoy. It just goes to show the inexperience of the young armourer imho.