'The Rookie' bans 'live' guns on set following Halyna Hutchins' accidental death

The Rookie will no longer use "live" prop weapons, a decision made in the immediate aftermath of Alec Baldwin firing a prop gun on the Rust set and accidentally killing 42-year-old cinematographer Halyna Hutchins as well as injuring director Joel Souza last Thursday (Oct. 21).

The Hollywood Reporter relayed Friday (Oct. 22) that The Rookie implemented its new policy to be "effective immediately":

"Showrunner Alexi Hawley led the charge for the change as sources say he informed ABC executives that production would no longer be using quarter or half loads while filming the Nathan Fillion-led drama. 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 ended Friday as Hawley sent a memo to staff, exclusively obtained by THR, outlining the changes designed to improve the safety on the set of the Entertainment One and ABC Signature series."

The Rookie is currently airing its fourth season on ABC.

A call to remove all "live" guns from sets has been widespread, including a Change.org petition that had surpassed 27,800 signatures as of this writing.