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this post was submitted on 06 Mar 2024
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That's standard procedure on a film set. Thousands of blanks a year are fired while pointing at people. That's literally the point of blanks. I'm not saying that's actually entirely safe, but it does mean that it is reasonable for the actor to expect it to be. Especially when you're under the impression that a professional gun safety person has loaded the blanks by hand and that the gun has been checked twice by two separate people before given to you.
Judging by the downvotes, this seems to be a common thought here. Let me cite some applicable industry standards: https://www.actorsequity.org/resources/Producers/safe-and-sanitary/safety-tips-for-use-of-firearms/
https://www.csatf.org/01_safety_bltn_firearms/
And I want to re-iterate, Baldwin did not shoot another actor who his character shoots in the film. He was not supposed to have his finger on the trigger for this shot, nor was he even supposed to fully draw his weapon. This was not the first time he pointed a gun at a camera person and fired off-script; the footage played in the trial showed him shooting directly at the camera after the director yelled "cut".
And again: even if it were industry standard to shoot blanks directly at another person: that's a stupid and reckless standard, and any reasonable person should refuse. I really feel like most of the defense of Baldwin is borne out of well-meaning ignorance.