Reporters doesn’t know what they're talking about. Shocking, I know.

 

A few years back the local rag, the Houston Chronicle, published this cartoon showing then President Donald Trump shooting himself in the foot with a revolver. Curious, the “revolver” was ejecting empty brass out. I knew the difference between a revolver and a semi-automatic before I was ten, but this “learned” cartoonist did not. Not surprising

I point this out because I read a recent article on Alex Baldwin’s being charged with manslaughter in the shooting on the Rust set

Alec Baldwin Will Be Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter in ‘Rust’ Killing

By Julia Jacobs and Graham Bowley

A gun that Mr. Baldwin was rehearsing with went off, killing the film’s cinematographer. The armorer responsible for weapons on set also faces manslaughter charges...

Ms. Jacobs and Mr. Bowley, a gun doesn't just "go off," hate to shock you. 

Growing up, I was taught to treat every firearm I was handing as loaded and ready to fire, and to never point it at anything you didn't want to shoot at. Later on, I was instructed by a very wise Army master sergeant two things:

1. There is no such thing as an unloaded firearm! 

2. The loudest noise you will ever hear in your life is the sound of an "unloaded" firearm going off. 

Words to live by. 

Now we have the official charging statement on Mr. Baldwin. Emphasis mine:

Information and evidence obtained showed that BALDWIN was seated in a pew facing in a ‘northerly direction, towards the front of the church. In front of him was Halyna Hutchins and Joel Souza, and a camera operator, along with other crew (i. sound, script, costume, etc.). BALDWIN was wearing 2 shoulder holster, right hand draw, which was securing/holding the 45 long colt caliber, single action six shot revolver. BALDWIN was practicing drawing and pointing the weapon for the scene with guidance and instruction from Halyna Hutchins and Joel Souza. 

The set-up was to be a close-up on BALDWIN and the firearm, as he drew the weapon and pointed it. Halyna Hutchins and Joel Souza were viewing the practice scene on a monitor attached to the camera. BALDWIN drew the revolver from the holster, pointed it at Halyna Hutchins, and fired the weapon. When reviewing the script and witness interviews, for this particular scene and close-up shot, evidence indicates the scene/shot did not require the weapon to be fired.It was also determined by consultation with expert armorers that in a rehearsal, a plastic gun or replica gun should be used as no firing of blanks is required. However, BALDWIN fired the single action 45 long colt revolver resulting in the discharge of a projectile that struck ‘and traveled through right armpit area of Halyna Hutchins, exited her back (from the OMI’s official report), then struck Joel Souza in the right shoulder and lodged into his right back.  

"However, BALDWIN fired the single action 45 long colt revolver resulting in the discharge of a projectile..." Again, Mr. Baldwin was reckless in his handing of a loaded firearm. If he wanted to practice, fine, use a "blue gun," or other no-fireable gun. But you use a read gun, it's treated as loaded at all times. 

Ms. Jacobs and Mr. Bowley, I suggest you take an NRA safety course. You need it.