How can a prop gun kill? Utah expert says only after multiple safety failures

A Utah firearms expert with extensive experience working as a weapons handler on Hollywood film productions said the tragic death on the set of Alec Baldwin’s new movie could only have occurred as the result of basic safety measures being ignored at multiple levels.

Clark Aposhian, chairman of the Utah Shooting Sports Council, said it’s common practice for outside weapons and ammunition of any kind to be banned from the sets of movie productions to help ensure accidents don’t occur. He also noted that the weapon specialists hired for film shoots are typically the only individuals who handle guns and ammunition on the set at all times, except when an actor is carrying or using the gun while filming is in progress.

“When I’m a weapons handler on these projects, I’m the only one who handles the guns,” Aposhian said. “I’m checking the weapon and ammunition before I hand the weapon to an actor and, as soon as the shot is done, I take the weapon back and check it again and it never leaves my possession until the next scene.”

“This happens between every take,” he said, “no matter what.”