The investigation into the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust” is ongoing, and it’s already affecting legislation. New Mexico State Senator Cliff Pirtle has introduced a bill that would mandate that actors and crew members undergo a firearm safety training course if they are working on a set that calls for guns.
Senate Bill 188, the Hunter Safety Training for Film Employees bill, states: “All individuals employed in New Mexico by a film production company that has firearms or firearm ammunition physically located on the premises where filming is taking place shall have a valid certificate of competency in the safe handling of firearms pursuant to the Hunter Training Act.” The bill was introduced on Jan. 31 and will need to pass the New Mexico Senate and House of Representatives before being signed by the governor.
The bill also says any film production involving guns that does not undergo training “shall not be eligible for tax credits pursuant to the Film Production Tax Credit Act.”
On Oct. 21, actor Alec Baldwin discharged a loaded prop firearm during a rehearsal on the set of “Rust,” killing Hutchins and injuring the film’s director, Joel Souza.
Baldwin, who is also a producer on “Rust,” has since turned over his phone to investigators. His lawyer, Aaron Dyer, said in a statement that Baldwin “did nothing wrong. It is clear that he was told it was a cold gun and was following instructions when this tragic accident occurred. The real question that needs to be answered is how live rounds got on the set in the first place.”
“I was heartbroken to learn of the tragic incident on the ‘Rust’ film set,” said Pirtle in a statement. “Having personally used a similar revolver on film sets, I know there is no space to be cavalier with these firearms. They are not props; they are deadly weapons, regardless of the context of use.”
This is not the first time the “Rust” incident has inspired state legislation. Last fall, California State Senator Dave Cortese proposed banning firearms and live ammunition on set. After pushback from the entertainment industry, Cortese introduced a new bill on Jan. 3 to the California State Senate that would mandate any prop gun use on set be overseen by “a qualified armorist, prop or property master, or designee.”
The bill, SB 831, would also require any prop person handling a firearm to complete “certain training in firearms and have a specified permit for the use of the firearm.”
The California bill does not ban guns outright on set, though it does ban live guns (not prop guns) and live ammunition unless it’s a “reality television project that uses firearms and live ammunition and follows certain safety rules and laws.” Like the New Mexico bill, the California bill will need to pass both state legislative houses and be signed by the governor to be enacted.
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