ABC's 'The Rookie' Changes On-Set Gun Policy After Deadly Accident on 'Rust' Movie

Alexi Hawley, the showrunner of the ABC series The Rookie, has announced new policies for the on-set usage of guns.

The changes come one day after a deadly accident occurred on the set of the western movie Rust, which left one dead and one seriously injured.

The Rookie is a police drama series starring Nathan Fillion as the oldest rookie in the LAPD, who uses his life experience, determination and sense of humor to keep up with rookies 20 years his junior.

THR notes that the “series has, over the past two seasons, primarily used CGI to portray muzzle flashes but occasionally used ‘live’ weapons on ‘big, outside set pieces.’” That policy has now changed.

Click inside to read the letter sent to staff of the show…

Alexi wrote to staff, “The tragic events in New Mexico yesterday have shaken us all, and our hearts go out to the friends and family of Halyna Hutchins and Joel Souza. As of today, it is now policy on The Rookie that all gunfire on set will be Air Soft guns with CG muzzle flashes added in post. There will be no more ‘live’ weapons on the show. The safety our cast and crew is too important. Any risk is too much risk.”

“As always, if you ever feel unsafe or witness anything that concerns you, please don’t hesitate to report it,” Alexi concluded. “My door is always open.”

Some shocking new details have emerged from the set of Rust.