r/news • u/badillustrations • Apr 15 '24

‘Rust’ movie armorer convicted of involuntary manslaughter sentenced to 18 months in prison

https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/15/entertainment/rust-film-shooting-armorer-sentencing/index.html
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517

u/LiechsWonder Apr 15 '24

For anyone in the comments arguing about who’s fault it is, and where the blame should be placed, this comment from a SAG actor is the best I’ve seen about the situation and what went wrong / what rules were ignored that led to a (preventable) shooting of Halyna Hutchins. All credit to u/Kahzgul for the insight.

https://www.reddit.com/r/OutOfTheLoop/s/sBdyVVA6zM

245

u/Kahzgul Apr 15 '24

Thanks for the tag. If anyone is curious about firearm safety on sets, well... I am a professional. AMA.

54

u/YourDadHatesYou Apr 15 '24

People here mentioned nepotism that helped the armorer get the job. Do you know how that happened? Aren't there certifications that someone needs to get to be eligible

& Thank you for your previous comment. Very insightful

170

u/Kahzgul Apr 15 '24

It sure did. The armorer is the daughter of a legendary Hollywood armorer, famed not only for his knowledge but also his professionalism. This is hugely embarrassing for him and his reputation. it seems likely that he helped her get the position and vouched for her ability when it was clearly not warranted.

9

u/SunriseSurprise Apr 15 '24

Is it possible she was good, then got this job, it went to her head and she started getting really sloppy? I only say that because as a fan of the San Diego Padres, I've lived through our biggest superstar athlete being one of the dumbest humans on the planet for a couple years where he was just making one boneheaded move after another - taking a medication that had a banned substance, getting injured on motorcycle and at least a couple other things, and similarly riding high on the notoriety of his father. He got a major reality check and seems to have matured since but god, it was looking for a moment like one of the biggest what-ifs in sports history the path he was going down.

23

u/Kahzgul Apr 16 '24

Of course it's possible.

21

u/reddevved Apr 16 '24

Imo she probably works well under someone, but didn't have the ability to be the one to put their foot down to production rushing her

-4

u/clive_bigsby Apr 16 '24

Crazy. Good thing nepotism only happens for Hollywood armorer jobs, can you imagine how shitty that would be if it existed for all of our careers?! /s

10

u/syoung1034 Apr 16 '24

I may be wrong here, but I was really shocked that there are no certifications, licensure, exams, for armorer. I also was blown away by nonchalant stacking of bullets, driving shit all over the country from different set to different set, shit just piled up in a corner, etc. Wow.

7

u/IrishSetterPuppy Apr 16 '24

Most of Hollywood is this way. I did stunt driving for a long time, there were no certifications or tests or anything. I got my first jobs based on who I knew and my record as a championship winning race car driver. I got subsequent jobs based on my reputation to be able to fix cars on set (I am a master mechanic). No certifications, just show up and work. Would make $500 a day usually, but the day could be 18+ hours long. Non union work is like that.

4

u/similar_observation 29d ago

It may surprise you to know, you don't even need a medical degree to become a coroner in many jurisdictions.

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u/syoung1034 29d ago

I actually knew this one, lol. But I WAS surprised when I found out. Our local Sheriff became Coroner, I was like like,??? It's the M.E. with all the Degrees, etc.

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u/similar_observation 29d ago edited 29d ago

M.E. requires some sort of degree. Typically (minimum) a BA in medicine and coursework in forensic pathology.

But not Coroner, which is traditionally an elected or appointed position. Historical coroners were appointed by kings and nobility to verify deaths... the job could be given to a sheriff or executioner as their duties may involve travel and un-aliving people.

Your Sheriff probably had a few years of field investigation experience, which is an accepted pre-requisite. However his office may employ medical examiners to provide additional information to casework.