What inevitably wasn't a series of incompetent fuckups by multiple levels would've ensured nobody was hurt. That gun should've gone through half a dozen different hands just making sure it wasn't going to do what it did, and it's unfortunate that Baldwin has the bear the guilt of pulling the trigger knowing that several people behind him were specifically tasked with making sure nothing ever left that gun but smoke, bright lights, and air but completely failed to do so.

Checking the chamber first would have ensured no one was hurt.