Our readers sound off on movie set safety

Top of Mind is a weekly question about an issue affecting New Mexicans.

LAST WEEK’s QUESTION: Does New Mexico need stricter safety rules or new gun laws for TV and filmmaking?

“Time and again businesses prove their willingness to put their own bottom line over the well-being of their workers and tend to make positive changes only once they are forced to do. I do think some sort of legislation needs to be in place to protect film workers.”

— Dielica Gold, Santa Fe

“Of course not. We just need people to do their jobs and check every single gun on set like they’re supposed to.” — Richard M. Rodriguez, Peralta

“Yes, N.M. must put in place stricter safety rules or new gun laws for TV and filmmaking when the Legislature meets again in 2022.”

— Alice Rodgers, Jemez Pueblo

“The most basic of gun safety rules were violated on the ‘Rust’ set. Hollywood loves its guns but apparently doesn’t know how to handle real ones. Forget the laws. Get some basic gun safety training.”

— Dominick Burlone, Rio Rancho

“It’s a no-brainer that filmmakers in New Mexico should not be allowed to operate if they aren’t in compliance with safety regulations. But where are the regulations? Movies are fiction. Stunts and props should be fictitious and extremely cautious. Rules are long overdue and too late for some people.”

— Betty Fry, Santa Fe

“We do not need new gun safety rules or statutes for TV/filmmaking. As I understand from reading about the Baldwin tragedy in Santa Fe, there were rules. The rules just were not followed, whether due to incompetence, inexperience, stupidity or criminal behavior.”

— Harold Morgan, Albuquerque

“The movie industry knows how to safely use weapons in the making of movies. The safety rules they’ve developed should be codified into law and worksafety regulations. That way, no matter who is making a movie, all will be kept safe by the law.”

— Douglas Schramm, Albuquerque

“Obviously, the film industry has good safety rules in place because most films are made without harm. In the case of ‘Rust,’ existing rules were not followed. We shouldn’t penalize all the responsible filmmakers out there because of an irresponsible crew on one movie.”

— Jackie Ericksen, Albuquerque

“N.M. should have firearm regulations because of the shootings on ‘Rust.’ ‘Rust’ had a 24-year-old armorer. Two armorers should be required. Armorers need to have 5 to 10 (years’) set experience. Get training at school, or follow a strict apprentice program.”

— Mary DeForest, Albuquerque

“The AMPTP publishes excellent safety guidelines for every department on a film set, including the use of firearms and blanks. To protect the cast, crew and staff, New Mexico’s enforcement and any supplements to these guidelines is warranted. Implementation and on-set attention to detail is crucial.”

— Donna Reichman, Corrales

“No new laws are needed. This was a horrible accident and a call to just pay closer attention to all of the details.” — Shasta Erickson, Albuquerque

“Yes, and the what/how and why of such legislation should come from the movie companies.”

— George Richmond, Albuquerque

“No, we need to actually make sure that the existing rule regime is enforced.” — Cheryl Haaker, Albuquerque

“No, just make sure the ones in existence are followed.”

— Fred Trussell, Albuquerque

“We do not need either: We need the safety restrictions that exist followed infallibly by the film crews, by the person(s) with primary responsibility and a backup person double-checking.”

— John P.C. Duncan, Santa Fe

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: What is the top suggestion you would offer Tim Keller for his second term as mayor of Albuquerque?

Want to participate in Top of Mind? Send your thoughts in 50 words or less with your name and city to question@ abqjournal.com. Look for reader responses in this space next week.