This is purely conjecture but I'm thinking that there was probably a squib load, i.e. a bullet lodged inside the barrel from an earlier squib fire for a scene using live ammunition. Then it was loaded with blank ammo and some moron probably forgot to check if there was any bore obstruction. Then Baldwin ended up discharging the firearm with the squib bullet still lodged inside, and the pressure from the discharged blank round would have been enough to propel the bullet lodged inside the barrel at sufficient velocity. So TL,DR: I believe it was sheer liberal incompetence that lead to this event.
But why would there ever be a need for live fire on a movie set? You can get a realistic muzzle flash from a blank which is all you need for a movie.
There are instances when live ammunition is used on movie sets. For example, when you want to shoot a scene involving some kind of ballistic impact on some type of target.
doesn't using weapons for this purpose go against every gun safety rule
Why use an inaccurate pistol for that purpose when a rifle on a stand can be set up by trained professionals for carefully controlled targeting?
It still don't explain why Baldwin was aiming and shooting at the crew members. That was never in the script.
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