It’s been a few months since a cinematographer was killed on the set of “Rust.” The incident has since raised questions about the use of real firearms in movies and television shows.
One can’t help but think about the various misconceptions about the use of real firearms. For instance, while some people think that blank ammunition is harmless, it can still be dangerous when used with real guns.
What Is Blank Ammo?
Blank ammunition is basically the same as live ammunition, except that it doesn’t contain a bullet. A round of ammunition typically has four parts: a cartridge case, a bullet on top, a primer, and a propellant or gunpowder inside.
When the trigger is pulled, the firing pin hits the primer. This produces a huge amount of pressure, which then causes the bullet to exit the case and slide down the barrel of the gun. With a blank round, the sound from the burning gunpowder still lingers even though the bullet has already left the case, but there is no projectile.
Since blank ammunition doesn’t have a bullet, the powder can spill out of the case. Sometimes, it can be crimped or covered with wax or plastic. Although it’s safer to use blank ammunition in the entertainment industry, there are still risks involved.
Like with live ammunition, the burning powder in blank ammunition creates a huge amount of hot gas that can leave the barrel at high velocity. This can also be combined with other materials such as unburned gunpowder. If you’re too close to the muzzle, the hot gas can easily cause an injury, even proving to be fatal in some cases.
Since real firearms can be dangerous, it’s important to always use blanks and live ammunition in separate places. This rule applies to both the entertainment industry and anyone working with blank ammunition.
In the case of “Rust,” the live ammunition was accidentally brought to the set. Unfortunately, multiple people didn’t catch the mistake.
Since there are so many movies and television shows that feature firearms, it’s impressive that there have only been three gun-related fatalities in the last forty years. These incidents were all caused by accidents or negligence. However, this does show that there can be dangers associated with blank ammunition, and it emphasizes the importance of gun safety training for all who will handle a firearm, whether it is a prop or not.