The Tragic Incident of a Live Round on a Movie Set: Lessons in Safety and Responsibility
The recent incident at a film set where a live round was unintentionally loaded into a gun highlights serious safety concerns in the film industry. This article explores the details of the incident, the policies in place for firearm safety, and the responsibilities of armorer personnel to prevent such tragedies from occurring.
The Incident: Overt Negligence
The incident in question involved a live round being negligently loaded into a gun, and this was not the only mistake made. As reported, the live round was loaded into the gun by the person responsible for ensuring such mistakes never occur. Furthermore, two more live rounds were found on a gun belt and bandolier, and two were left loose on a gun cart. One live round was even found in a tray alongside actual dummies. The situation was further complicated by the discovery of a box containing these live rounds, which was identified as belonging to the armorer from a previous job. Also found were four spent casings with identical primers and casings to the live rounds, suggesting a clear connection to the armorer's personal gun kit bag.
The Role of the Armorer
The armorer, whose role is critical to ensuring the safety of on-set personnel, bears a significant responsibility in this incident. The evidence points to the armorer being the individual who brought the live rounds to the set, exacerbated by her negligent behavior. It is alarming that she seemingly did not do the most basic tasks, such as properly checking the rounds she loaded into the guns. A simple precaution, like shaking the round to ensure it is not a dummy, could have prevented the tragedy. This failure to meet basic safety protocols highlights a gross disregard for the well-being of others on the set.
Regulations and Protocols for Firearm Safety in Filmmaking
Following the tragic death of Brandon Lee during the filming of The Crow, significant changes were implemented to ensure firearm safety on film sets. One of the strictest rules is that NO LIVE AMMUNITION IS ALLOWED ON A SET. Ever. This rule is underpinned by the fact that a 'prop' gun can still be a real firearm and that the term 'prop' is misleading. Firearm safety requires stringent regulations, which include:
Locking Firearms in a Safe: Firearms must be placed in a locked safe when not in use. No Unattended Firearms: No firearms should be anywhere on set unless the armorer is present. Armorers as the Only Handlers: Only the armorer can handle, load, unload, or check firearms. No 'Cold Guns' with Live Bullets: A 'cold gun' means it should not have any ammunition, including blanks, but if it does, it must be handled by the armorer. No Plinking Without Permission: It is prohibited to take guns off set for personal use, such as 'plinking'.These regulations are in place to protect people on set and prevent accidents. However, the incident in question raises serious questions about the adherence to these protocols. The live rounds on set did not adhere to these rules, and the involvement of live ammunition, despite the claimed presence of dummies, undermines the integrity of the safety measures.
Implications and Lessons Learned
While the incident may seem to be an intentional act, the evidence points to negligence. The armorer who brought the live rounds on set admitted to a negligence in not checking the ammo, and her role in this accident suggests a systemic issue within the film industry. This raises important questions about professional ethics, training, and accountability in film production.
For the film industry to truly address this issue, there must be a stronger emphasis on thorough training, ongoing safety awareness, and strict adherence to the safety measures put in place. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous safety protocols and the severe consequences of negligence. It is a call to action for all personnel involved in film production to take their responsibilities seriously and to work together to ensure that such tragedies do not happen again.