In reference to the accidental shooting of Halyna Hutchins by Alec Baldwin, there are three safety rules for handling firearms.
My grandkids were in grade school when they learned these rules.
Now, they are teenagers and I still make them recite these rules when we go to the range.
Rule 1: Never take anyone else’s word that a firearm is unloaded.
In the case of a single action army revolver, like the one involved in this accident, all anyone has to do is pull the hammer to half-cock, open the loading gate and rotate the cylinder to see whether it was loaded or not.
When Mr. Baldwin was handed the revolver, he should have checked it.
Rule 2: Do not point a firearm at anything, or anyone, that you do not intend to shoot.
Rule 3: Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
If only just one of these rules had been followed this tragedy would not have happened.
Maybe Hollywood actors should attend a National Rifle Association-approved firearms training class.
Phillip H. Sharpe
Forks