Of course, everyone on my side of the blogosphere has been following the investigation of Alec Baldwin surrounding the death of the cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding of director Joel Souza. USA Today is reporting that the evidence is that a live round was fired by Baldwin. Based on all the reports, this was a horrific accident. For as much as I dislike Baldwin, I would extend my sympathy. It must be horrific to accidentally kill someone. Yet, based on reports of an inexperienced armorer acting in an unsafe manner, several staff quitting due to safety concerns, and the same prop gun being used to plink in the desert prior to the shooting, one can see how such a tragedy would unfold.

We had another reminder of that in my town. The Bradenton Herald details how a man working on his wife’s AR ended up killing her.. Inattention to safety led to one person’s death and another being criminally charged.

If you ever get annoyed by someone being overly cautious when it comes to gun safety, remember why. Fuck-ups cost lives. Fuck-ups destroy futures. Remember:

  1. TREAT EVERY GUN AS IF IT IS LOADED
  2. KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL READY TO FIRE
  3. NEVER POINT YOUR WEAPON AT ANYTHING YOU DO NOT WANT TO KILL OR DESTROY
  4. KNOW YOUR TARGET AND WHAT’S BEHIND IT