New set off was added to ‘Rust’ prop gun earlier than deadly taking pictures, making misfire potential: report

The prop classic gun utilized in Alec Baldwin’s “Rust” taking pictures that left one filmmaker dead and one other wounded had just lately been fastened with a brand new set off, which made misfire potential, based on a report.

The dummy Colt 45 revolver used on the New Mexico set of the Western flick had just lately gotten a brand new set off added, which sources mentioned might have impacted the weapon’s potential to misfire, sources told the Los Angeles Times.

Baldwin’s legal professionals confirmed Thursday that the Santa Fe County District Attorney’s workplace had dropped criminal charges against the actor.

“We are happy with the choice to dismiss the case towards Alec Baldwin and we encourage a correct investigation into the details and circumstances of this tragic accident,” his legal professionals Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro mentioned in a press release to The Post.

A spokesperson for the Santa Fe District Attorney’s Office didn’t instantly reply to The Post’s request for remark.

Baldwin, 65, was charged with involuntary manslaughter over the Oct. 21, 2021, on-set taking pictures of 42-year-old cinematographer Halyna Hutchins after a prop pistol he was utilizing for a scene unexpectedly fired an actual bullet.

He had lengthy mentioned he didn’t pull the weapon’s set off and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

“Rust” director Joel Souza was standing behind Hutchins, viewing a digital camera angle as Baldwin rehearsed a scene that he was to attract his revolver and level it on the digital camera when the tragic incident occurred.

He suffered a gunshot wound to his shoulder, however survived.

Hutchins was handled on the scene earlier than she was rushed to the University of New Mexico Hospital, however couldn’t be saved.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s armorer, was additionally accused of involuntary manslaughter alongside Baldwin.

She remains to be going through costs in reference to the taking pictures.

A 3rd particular person concerned within the on-set disaster, assistant director David Halls, beforehand pleaded no contest to a single rely of petty misdemeanor negligent use of a lethal weapon.

He had handed the gun to Baldwin earlier than it was fired however uncared for to verify it didn’t maintain stay bullets.

Despite Baldwin claiming he had by no means pulled the set off, FBI investigators beforehand decided there was no different approach the shot would have fired.

The gun, the company reported dominated, “couldn’t be made to fireside and not using a pull of the set off.”

Investigators who scoured the “Rust” set described discovering a mix of stay rounds and dummy bullets across the set, a blatant security violation.

Earlier on the day of the taking pictures, the ammunition “was left on a cart on the set, not secured,” whereas the crew took a lunch break, earlier police paperwork mentioned.

Filming for the movie is due to resume in Montana this week.