“Change needs to happen”: Baldwin tragedy sparks reform
The accidental shooting on the set of Rust has prompted a petition to ban the use of real guns on movie sets.
Production on the Western flick has come to an indefinite halt after Rust’s star and producer Alec Baldwin accidentally discharged a firearm, resulting in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The film’s writer/director, Joel Souza, was also injured in the incident.
The accident has sent shockwaves through the industry, with Baldwin sharing his “shock and sadness” later that day.
Fellow cast member Jensen Ackles also took to social media after the incident, describing Hutchins as “an inspiration” and sharing that he donated to the Halyna Hutchins Memorial Scholarship Fund, started by the American Film Institute.
A Change.org petition with the intent of banning live firearms from movie and television sets was started by filmmaker Bandar Albuliwi, one of Hutchins’ friends and former classmates.
The petition also references a similar incident almost 30 years ago on the set of The Crow, which caused the death of actor Brandon Lee. His fiancee, Eliza Hutton, has since spoken out following the Rust tragedy.
“Twenty eight years ago, I was shattered by the shock and grief of losing the love of my life, Brandon Lee, so senselessly,” she told People magazine. “My heart aches now for Halyna Hutchins’ husband and son, and for all those left in the wake of this avoidable tragedy.”
Hutton also shared a snap of her and Lee on Twitter, with the pointed message, “There’s no such thing as a prop gun.”
The petition, which has since received 60,000 signatures, calls on Baldwin to “use his power and influence in the Hollywood industry to make change and ban real guns on film sets”.
“We need to make sure that this avoidable tragedy never happens again,” Albuliwi writes.
“There is no excuse for something like this to happen in the 21st century.
“Change needs to happen before additional talented lives are lost.”
Image: @jensenackles / Instagram