Lawmaker wants actors, prop personnel to undergo gun safety classes after 'Rust' movie set shooting
After the death of a beloved cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the movie set of "Rust," a new Senate bill looks to require more gun safety classes for actors and film personnel.
"When that tragedy happened, I think every single New Mexican, every single American, their heart went out to Halyna Hutchins and just thought, how could this happen?" Republican Cliff Pirtle, who introduced the bill, said.
The "Rust" movie set shooting sent shock waves across the New Mexico film community and the world.
"The bill that I'm introducing today would ensure that on movie sets that there is some type of training for everybody that's employed by the production company to ensure that everybody has some type of some form of firearm training and a background in how to safely handle firearms," Pirtle said.
Pirtle said he's worked as an actor on several sets and shot revolvers with blanks. He said there isn't a law in New Mexico that requires firearm safety classes for actors and prop personnel. He believes adding one could help prevent incidents like the "Rust" movie set shooting from happening again.
Sister station KOAT reached out to the New Mexico Film Office and a spokesperson sent the following statement: "We are just in receipt of this newly introduced legislation by Senator Cliff Pirtle and are in the process of due diligence at this time."
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