News broke Thursday that prosecutors will charge actor Alec Baldwin with two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the shooting of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42. In New Mexico where the incident occurred, each count carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison, but prosecutors have added a firearm enhancement that mandates five years behind bars.
It is hard to see how Baldwin couldn’t have been charged with at least involuntary manslaughter. The first rule of gun safety is you don’t point a gun a something unless you intend to shoot it. Even if you believe the gun is unloaded, you don’t point it directly at others.
Baldwin didn’t follow basic gun safety when he shot his cinematographer, Hutchins. Anyone who has been to a shooting range would have that drilled into them. And Baldwin, an actor for 40 years, who has been in many movies using guns, must surely have had this explained to him many times.
Indeed, the Actors Equity Association, the union to which Baldwin belongs, clearly states the rules for firearms use on its website:
“Treat all guns as if they are loaded and deadly.”
“Never point a firearm at anyone including yourself. Always cheat the shot by aiming to the right or left of the target character.”
“Check the firearm every time you take possession of it.”
“Live ammunition may not be brought into the theatre.”
Baldwin’s repeated claim that he never pulled the gun trigger is not credible, as an FBI forensic report released
