Tactical
“Rust” Armorer Given Max Sentence After Baldwin Shooting Fiasco
In retrospect to the fatal shooting that took place on the set of the movie “Rust” in October 2021, the individual responsible for the safety of ammunition and firearms on set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, has been sentenced to the maximum penalty. This tragic incident resulted in the death of 42-year-old cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Just last month, Gutierrez-Reed, 24 years of age at the time of the incident, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Despite being acquitted of a lesser charge relating to evidence tampering, as reported by Blaze News, the onus was on her for not ensuring the safety of the ammunition and firearms on set. This included loading the live round into the firearm that fired the fatal shot.
During her sentencing hearing on Monday, Gutierrez-Reed was visibly distressed. Her lawyer, Jason Bowles, had pleaded for her to be released conditionally along with therapy. Bowles defended her by stating she was a “scapegoat” for the shooting and asserting that she “has endured and will continue to endure collateral consequences far harsher than most defendants ever must face.”
However, Prosecutor Kari Morrissey was not moved. She would have potentially advocated for a lighter sentence for the “unprecedented case,” but recent jail phone calls allegedly featuring Gutierrez-Reed referring to jurors using derogatory terms changed her stance.
In addition to these allegations, reports suggest that Gutierrez-Reed violated her release conditions by consuming alcohol while awaiting trial. She also purportedly misinformed prosecutors about her employment history and allegedly instigated her mother to confront them at court, the New York Post reports.
Gutierrez-Reed “continues to deny responsibility and blame others,” prosecutors highlighted in a letter last week.
During the hearing, Morrissey expressed her disappointment: “It was my sincere hope during this process that there would be some moment when Ms. Gutierrez took responsibility and expressed some level of remorse that was genuine. That moment has never come. Ms. Gutierrez continues to refuse to take responsibility for her role in the death of Halyna Hutchins.”
Backing up her sentiment, District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer concurred, sentencing Gutierrez-Reed to 18 months in prison – the maximum sentence for involuntary manslaughter in the state of New Mexico, where “Rust” was filmed. “You alone turned a safe weapon into a lethal weapon,” the judge addressed the defendant. “But for you, a husband would have his wife and a little boy would have his mother.”
Gutierrez-Reed’s conviction has kept her incarcerated, and her defense attorney, Bowles, has given indication of an appeal.
During the hearing, several of Hutchins’ loved ones shared their impact statements, expressing the ongoing effects of their loss. Emilia Mendieta, one of Hutchins’ close friends, referred to Hutchins’ death as a consequence of “a massive system failure,” of which Gutierrez-Reed was part. “Why was there a live bullet on set? … That is where Hannah Gutierrez-Reed failed Halyna. It was her job to check the gun, check the bullets, to ensure that Halyna was safe,” she asserted.
Family friend Steven Metz shared that Halyna’s husband, Matt Hutchins, “basically … died” when she did. He expresses, “There is really no excuse [for her death].”
Actor Alec Baldwin, who allegedly fired the fatal shot, is also facing an involuntary manslaughter charge in connection with the case. Despite evidence suggesting he pulled the trigger, Baldwin insists that the firearm malfunctioned. His trial is set for July.
David Halls, the first assistant director on “Rust,” admitted to negligent use of a deadly weapon and received probation as his sentence.
The movie “Rust” resumed filming after the fatal incident but it hasn’t been released yet. As part of a wrongful death lawsuit settlement, Matthew Hutchins was appointed an executive producer.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Because peace of mind beats panic every time
When a big storm’s coming, the news spreads fast. Shelves empty, gas stations fill up, and suddenly everyone’s buying bottled water like it’s gold. The truth is, once panic buying starts, it’s already too late. Real preparedness isn’t about fear it’s about peace of mind. The best time to get ready is when things still feel normal.
Here are ten simple, affordable items you can stock quietly now so you’re not scrambling later.
1. Water and Water Filters
Start with the basics: one gallon per person per day for at least three days. Keep bottled water handy, but also grab a small filter straw or purification tablets for backup. Clean water matters more than anything else when supplies run short.
2. Non-Perishable Food
You don’t need fancy freeze-dried meals. A few weeks’ worth of canned goods, rice, oats, peanut butter, and protein bars go a long way. Choose foods you actually eat, rotate them out as part of your normal pantry.
3. First-Aid Kit and Medications
Every home needs one. Bandages, antiseptic, gloves, and basic medicines like pain relievers and allergy pills can make a huge difference. If you take prescription medication, try to keep at least a few extra days’ supply on hand.
4. Flashlights and Extra Batteries
When the power goes out, light is everything. Stock a few small LED flashlights and a headlamp for hands-free use. Don’t forget extra batteries or a crank-powered option that never needs charging.
5. Portable Charger or Power Bank
Phones are lifelines during emergencies. Keep a charged power bank in your bag or car. Solar versions are great backups if you’re stuck without power for days.
6. Trash Bags and Zip Ties
Sounds simple, but trash bags are a survival essential. They can collect waste, store supplies, or even serve as ponchos or tarps. Pair them with a handful of zip ties one of the most underrated tools for securing gear or sealing openings.
7. Manual Can Opener
If your food storage depends on cans, make sure you can open them without electricity. A sturdy manual can opener can save you a lot of frustration (and hungry hours).
8. Multi-Tool or Pocket Knife
A good multi-tool replaces an entire toolbox in an emergency. Cutting rope, fixing leaks, opening packages you’ll use it more often than you think.
9. Basic Hygiene Supplies
Soap, toothbrushes, wet wipes, and feminine products often get overlooked. Staying clean keeps morale up and illness down, especially when running water isn’t guaranteed.
10. Emergency Cash
If card readers go down, cash is still king. Keep small bills in a waterproof envelope somewhere safe but easy to grab.
Final Thought
Preparedness isn’t about hoarding or panic, it’s about independence and calm. When something unexpected happens, the people who’ve planned ahead are the ones helping others instead of fighting for supplies.
📝 Starter Supply Checklist
☑ Water (1 gallon per person per day)
☑ Food for 3–7 days
☑ First-aid kit and medicines
☑ Flashlights + batteries
☑ Power bank or solar charger
☑ Trash bags + zip ties
☑ Manual can opener
☑ Multi-tool or knife
☑ Hygiene essentials
☑ Small cash reserve
It’s almost hard to imagine life without your phone. It’s your map, flashlight, camera, clock, and your link to everyone you care about. But imagine this: a long power outage, a road trip gone wrong, or a massive storm that knocks out towers and Wi-Fi. Suddenly that tiny glowing screen in your hand turns black and so does your sense of direction.
When your phone dies, it’s not just inconvenient. It can make you feel lost and cut off. But you can still stay connected and in control if you know a few old-school, low-tech tricks.
1. Go Old School: Know How to Use a Map and Compass
GPS has made traditional navigation a lost art, but it’s one of the most valuable survival skills you can learn. Keep a paper map of your local area or the places you travel often printed maps never run out of battery.
Learn to read topography lines, landmarks, and road grids. A basic compass is cheap and reliable. Even without one, you can find direction using the sun (it rises in the east, sets in the west) or at night by locating the North Star. Knowing these simple things can help you walk to safety when your phone can’t guide you.
2. Keep a Backup Way to Communicate
You don’t need a cell signal to reach people. A hand-crank or battery-powered radio can pick up local broadcasts for updates and weather alerts. For person-to-person contact, two-way radios (walkie-talkies) still work great over short distances they’re affordable and don’t rely on towers.
In group situations, establish meeting points ahead of time. If you’re separated, everyone should know where to regroup. Simple, clear planning beats panic every time.
3. Create a “No-Tech Contact Tree”
If your phone dies, do you actually know anyone’s phone number by heart? Most of us don’t anymore. Write down key contacts family, friends, doctors, and emergency numbers on a small card and keep it in your wallet or car.
Create a quick “contact tree” on paper: who to call, who they’ll contact next, and where to meet if lines are down. It doesn’t need to be fancy; even a handwritten plan keeps communication flowing when technology doesn’t.
4. Use Signals and Landmarks
If you can’t talk or text, visibility becomes your language. Bright colors, mirrors, or flashlights can signal for help during the day or night. Three short flashes of light, three blasts on a whistle, or three knocks on a wall, all are standard distress signals.
Learn to identify major landmarks like rivers, bridges, or towers. They help rescuers find you and guide you to safety.
5. Power Smart When You Can
If you get a chance to recharge, make it count. Keep a small power bank charged and ready in your bag or car. Switch your phone to airplane mode, lower brightness, and close background apps to stretch every percent of battery life.
Final Thought
Technology is amazing until it isn’t. Losing your phone doesn’t have to mean losing your sense of connection or safety. Real independence comes from knowing what to do when the tools fail. Think of it as digital detox with a survival twist: when the world goes quiet, the smartest thing you can do is stay calm, use your head, and rely on skills that don’t need a signal to work.
A Realistic Plan for Staying Alive When the Dead Don’t Stay Dead
When society falls apart and the dead start walking, panic helps no one. Whether you’re facing a virus, invasion, or total breakdown of order, survival depends on preparation, strategy, and the right mindset. This guide covers what you need to stay alive when the world stops playing by the rules.
1. Mindset: Stay Calm, Stay Smart
Your brain is your most valuable weapon. Panic gets people killed faster than zombies do. Take a moment to breathe, assess your surroundings, and plan your next move.
Stay adaptable—no plan survives first contact with chaos. Every decision should balance risk and reward: don’t fight when you can hide, and don’t run when you can wait.
2. Finding Shelter
Your home is your first stronghold. Reinforce doors with furniture, nail down loose boards, and block low windows. Keep your lights off or covered at night to avoid drawing attention.
If you must relocate, choose high ground or structures that are defensible and easy to escape from warehouses, schools, or small rural buildings work best. Always know your exits and keep a backup escape route.
Pack a go-bag so you can leave at a moment’s notice:
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- First-aid kit and personal medications
- Water purification tablets or filters
- Non-perishable food and utensils
- Sturdy clothing, gloves, and boots
- Copies of IDs and emergency contacts
3. Food and Water
You can survive weeks without food but only a few days without water. Store bottled water and learn to purify natural sources with boiling, filtering, or tablets.
When it comes to food, go for lightweight, calorie-dense items: canned meats, beans, peanut butter, oats, rice, and trail mix. Rotate supplies so nothing expires, and learn basic preservation methods like drying or smoking meat.
4. Defense and Safety
Weapons aren’t just about fighting they’re tools. A crowbar, machete, or shovel can open doors, build barricades, and protect you when needed. Avoid firearms unless you’re trained, as noise attracts attention.
Stealth beats strength. Move quietly, avoid crowds, and use the environment to your advantage. Keep your back to a wall and your escape route clear.
5. Forming Alliances
Survival is easier in numbers but only with the right people. Small, trustworthy groups work best. Divide roles: scavenger, medic, lookout, builder. Share resources but establish clear boundaries.
Communication is vital. Use hand signals, radios, or notes to stay connected. Plan rendezvous points in case your group gets separated.
6. Health and Endurance
Injuries or infections can end you faster than any zombie bite. Keep wounds clean, stay hydrated, and rest whenever possible.
Hygiene matters dirty hands lead to disease. If you’re low on medical supplies, learn basic first aid and herbal substitutes.
Exercise and mobility are survival assets. You don’t need to be a marathon runner, but stay fit enough to climb, lift, or sprint when needed.
7. Mental Survival
The apocalypse isn’t just physical it’s mental. Loneliness, fear, and exhaustion can break you. Keep a routine, talk to others, and give yourself small goals. A clear purpose keeps your mind sharp and your morale strong.
Hold onto your humanity. Help others when you can, but don’t let compassion cloud survival instincts.
8. Long-Term Survival
Once the initial chaos fades, rebuilding becomes the goal. Learn sustainable skills: farming, hunting, fishing, water collection, and mechanical repair. Technology will fail knowledge won’t.
Scout safe zones, set up a perimeter, and plan for future threats beyond zombies scarcity, rival groups, and the environment.
Final Thoughts
In the end, surviving a zombie apocalypse isn’t about brute strength it’s about resilience, awareness, and adaptability. Keep your head, trust your instincts, and move with purpose. The world may fall apart, but survival starts with you.
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jimmy boyett
April 21, 2024 at 4:34 pm
Any idiot would check any firearm to see if it had a LIVE ROUND in it, but baldwin is too damn stupid to check the weapon, he had rather blame every one else, the dumb bastard should get the maximum sentence, however due to his wealth, he will Not have to do time, soo unfair ?
K.A. Davison
April 21, 2024 at 4:52 pm
I will predict that when this is finally adjudicated, we will hear of Mr. Baldwin being painted as a co-equal victim in the shooting and that “the system” is pleased with having the armorer behind bars. The judge will say something like “Mr. Baldwin I wish to thank you for your patience in this matter, you are now free to live your life and you may return to your habit of accosting strangers on the streets of NYC and acting the tough guy. . . and may I have your autograph before you leave.”
Paul
April 21, 2024 at 6:23 pm
As an instructor, it is the handlers responsibility to check every firearm, every time. I never hand a loaded firearm to anyone! You load it, you shoot it, you learn your firearm. He is 100% liable for cocking it and pulling the trigger, single action forearms don’t just go off, especially with the supplier making sure they are in perfect working condition when they are rented to the movie company. There never should have been any live ammo on the set, that is the fault of whom ever brought it, and they should not have been shooting on break. What a chicken shit for trying to pass the responsibility on to someone else. He’s a dumb ass!
Bret
April 22, 2024 at 12:24 pm
If you have a firearm in your hand, you are responsible for knowing if it’s loaded, is the safety on or off, where it’s pointed and what it is loaded with. It is just like Hollywood to pass this responsibility off to the peons on the set because you know, stars are too important to be responsible for what everyone is in America is responsible for.