New Mexico fines 'Rust' movie producers $136,793 for firearms safety failures

New Mexico fines 'Rust' movie producers $136,793 for firearms safety failures Enlarge this image toggle caption Jae C. Hong/AP Jae C. Hong/AP SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico workplace safety regulators on Wednesday issued the maximum possible fine against a film production company for firearms safety failures on the set of "Rust" where a cinematographer was fatally shot in October 2021 by actor and producer Alec Baldwin. New Mexico's Occupational Health and Safety Bureau said Rust Movie Productions must pay $136,793, and distributed a scathing narrative of safety failures in violation of standard industry protocols, including testimony that production managers took limited or no action to address two misfires on set prior to the fatal shooting. The bureau also documented gun safety complaints from crew members that went unheeded and said weapons specialists were not allowed to make decisions about additional safety training. The new occupational safety report confirms that a large-caliber revolver was handed to Baldwin by an assistant director, David Halls, without consulting with on-set weapons specialists during or after the gun was loaded.