Alex Baldwin gets a pass

If it were you or me, we would do time for the Rust incident

The tragic death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust” has garnered a lot of ink. Actor Alec Baldwin (one of my favorite actors) insists he didn’t pull the trigger on the Pietta Long Colt single action revolver that discharged killing Ms. Hutchins. All firearms enthusiasts know that a single action revolver requires the hammer to be cocked and the trigger pulled to fire a shot except if the revolver is dropped or subjected to a sharp jolt while the hammer is down and in contact with the cartridge. Baldwin’s story just doesn’t add up. The FBI tested the gun involved in the incident and concluded it could not have been fired without pulling the trigger.

But leave aside whether Baldwin pulled the trigger or did not. The real issue is why Baldwin pointed the revolver at Ms. Hutchins in the first place. She was not part of the scene and there was no reason to point a firearm at her.

Canada has sensible firearm laws. Before you can get a purchase or acquisition license (PAL) you need firearms training that ensures you understand how firearms work. Baldwin would have benefited from that training.

In Canada, the Criminal Code s. 87 makes it a crime to point a firearm without lawful excuse whether loaded or not. The language of the statute is lucid.

This law is sensible in every respect. Firearms are unlikely to result in death or injury of another person if the person with custody of the firearm doesn’t point it at anyone. People can still be harmed if the firearm discharges and someone is in the line of fire not visible or known to the shooter but that risk is lower. A key part of firearms training is to consider what lies behind the intended target to avoid unintentional harm or damage to people or objects that may be impacted by a bullet that either misses or penetrates the intended target.

In Canada, Baldwin would likely have been found guilty and sentenced to five years for pointing the firearm at Ms. Hutchins. But that was not his only error. People who have been trained in firearm safety in Canada know that whenever a firearm changes hands the receiving person and the providing person are encouraged to PROVE the firearm is not loaded by inspection of the firearm, its cyclinder or magazine and the firing chamber itself. Baldwin did none of these things. Instead, he accepted possession of a loaded revolver, did nothing to satisfy himself it was indeed unloaded or loaded only with blanks except assume that was the case, and then inexplicably point it at Ms. Hutchins where it discharged and resulted in her death.

In America, a famous actor gets a pass - he is charged with “involuntary manslaughter” and faces little risk of incarceration for any material amount of time and a fine he can easily pay. In reality, Baldwin was reckless, foolish and probably lying when he claims he did not pull the trigger. More likely, he was fooling around and thought pretending he was shooting Ms. Hutchins was a good gag. No one is laughing.

United States constitution right to possess firearms is a valuable part of the country’s constitution. It should be accompanied by a requirement that anyone in possession of a firearm is properly trained in its safe usage. The real crime in this incident is the lack of sensible firearm legislation in the country.

I would have a lot more respect for Alex Baldin if he simply told the truth - I suspect it is simple. He thought the gun was loaded with blanks or unloaded, thought it would be fun to draw it and pretend to shoot his friend Ms. Hutchins, and the events unfolded. Baldwin just looks weak and self-serving by claiming he did not pull the trigger and by trying to blame someone (anyone?) else for the outcome. He is a great actor but no saint.