The ‘Rust’ movie shooting should never have happened

Actor Alec Baldwin. (Seth Wenig/AP)

Actor Alec Baldwin and an associate are now facing charges of involuntary manslaughter in the accidental shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins [“Baldwin, set armorer to be charged in film shooting,” front page, Jan. 20].

This shooting should have never happened. Firearms that can fire only blanks are every bit as common as firearms that shoot real bullets. Track coaches rely on blank-firing pistols all the time during sporting events. Movie stars, directors and producers should have enough sense to realize this.

The people who are now facing charges are busy pointing fingers at others. The real culprits, however, are the adults who should have known better than to allow real firearms on a movie set.

Gary Jacobsen, Woodbridge