DOUG: TODAY’S TRAGEDY RAISES THE QUESTION OF HOW SOMETHING SO TERRIBLE COULD HAPPEN WITH A PROP GUN ANDLA BNK BULLE.TS SHELLY: ACTION 7 NEWS REPORTER JOHN CARDINALE SPOKE WITH A MOVIE EXTRA WHO’S WORKED WITH GUNS ON A MOVIE SET. JO:HN I SPOKE WITH PAUL SZY,CH HAS BEEN -- HE HAS BEEN AN EXTRA IN TWO MOVIES AND HE USED PROP HANDGUNS. HE TOLD ME THE PROTOCOLS ON SET ARE PRETTY STRICT. ♪ >> I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING A LONG TIME. JOHN: RETIRED APD COMMANDER PAUL SZYCH HANDLED A PROP GUN IN THIS MOVIE, TERMINATOR SALVATION. >> IT’S A VERY STRICT PROCS,ES VERY CONTROLLED, BECAUSE THEY OBVIOUSLY KNOW WE’RE DEALING WITH WEAPONS THAT ARE CAPABLE OF FIRING LIVE AMMUNITION. JOHN: HE’S WORKED ON TWO MOVIES WITH PROP GUNS, BOTH TIMES HE HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE. >> THERE’S ONE POINT OF CONTACT TO GET THAT FIARM.RE IT’S GIVEN DIRECTLY TO YOU, AND THERE IS A QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD THAT GOES ON WHEN IT COMES TO, YOU KNOW, WHAT DO YOU HAVE ON U?YO WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR POCKETS, THINGS OF THAT NATU?RE JOHN: ONCE THE SCENE IS DONE, SZYCH SAYS THE GUNS ARE IMMEDIELATY RETURNED TTHO E PERSON WHO HANDED THEM OUT. HE SAYS INJURIES COULD BE POSSIBLE WITH A BLANK ROUND. >> YOU COULD HAVE SOME UNBURNED GUNPOWDER COME OUT THE ENDF O THE BARREL, WHICH IS BEING IGNITED THROUGH ITS INTRODUCTION TO OXYGEN AND IT’S ESSENTIALLY ON FIRE FOR A MOMENT AS IT LEAVES THAT BARREL, SO YOU CLDOU HAVE SOME CLOSE CONTACT INJURIES FROM BLANK ROUS.ND JOHN: WHEN ASKED IF A LIVE ROUND COULD GET IN THE MIX, HE SAYS IT’S NOT LIKELY, BUT COULD HAPPEN IF SOMEONE WAS LOADINAG GUN IN THE DARK OR IN A HURRY. >> WHEN LOADING THAT MAGAZINE, YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO CLELYAR SEE, OK, LOOK, THIS HAS A BULLET AROUND ON THE END OF IT, OR IT DOESN'T’ JOHN: I ASKED SZYCH IF HE FELT SAFE ONSET. HE SAYS HE DID, AS THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE OF THE PPRO GUNS WERE VERY THOROUGH AND STRICT. JOHN CARDINALE FOR KOAT ACTION 7 NEWS. ELLY
TV and movie set mishaps more common than many realize
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Updated: 10:14 AM CDT Oct 22, 2021
Video above: How are prop guns are handled on a movie set?Movie set mishaps may be more common than many realize.According to an Associated Press investigation from 2016, at least 43 people died on U.S. TV and film sets since 1990. Meanwhile, more than 150 were left with life-altering injuries during that time.But even then, those incidents were likely undercounted, the AP reported at the time.And while the misfire on the set of "Rust" is the most recent incident, it’s not the first time a prop gun accidentally fired on a movie set. In 1993, actor Brandon Lee, who was Bruce Lee’s son, was shot and killed on the set of "The Crow" with a prop gun.Lee’s death garnered worldwide attention and prompted changes on how firearms are treated on sets. Yet it also illustrates the paltry sums companies face after serious accidents. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined the company making the "The Crow" $84,000, but later reduced the penalty to $55,000."The Crow" grossed more than $50 million.The Associated Press contributed to this report.
SANTA FE, N.M. — Video above: How are prop guns are handled on a movie set?
Movie set mishaps may be more common than many realize.
According to an , at least 43 people died on U.S. TV and film sets since 1990. Meanwhile, more than 150 were left with life-altering injuries during that time.
But even then, those incidents were likely undercounted, the AP reported at the time.
And while the misfire on the set of "Rust" is the most recent incident, it’s not the first time a prop gun accidentally fired on a movie set.
In 1993, actor Brandon Lee, who was Bruce Lee’s son, was shot and killed on the set of "The Crow" with a prop gun.
Lee’s death garnered worldwide attention and prompted changes on how firearms are treated on sets. Yet it also illustrates the paltry sums companies face after serious accidents. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined the company making the "The Crow" $84,000, but later reduced the penalty to $55,000.
"The Crow" grossed more than $50 million.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
