As I understand, Baldwin was practicing a crossdraw when the gun went off. A crossdraw is when the shooter pulls the gun out of its holster, say with his right hand, from the left side of his body. Thus, he's drawing the gun across his body. There is a right way and a wrong way to do it (you don't want to break the 170), to avoid an accident.
Why would they have him pointing the gun at the director for a practice draw?
..when Baldwin fired the gun...
(Fixed that for you).
Baldwin had absolutely no business "practicing" any weapons manipulation except on command from the Director. That is one of the basic safety rules on a movie set.
Those commands are supposed to be given after the cinematographer sets up the camera, not during the setup.
And of course, immediately prior to a rehearsal, all weapons are supposed to be unloaded and cleared by the Armorer or authorized Weapons Handler. Not loaded with "blanks". Unloaded and cleared. Not left unattended on a cart outside. None of this "send a flunky outside to pick a weapon at random off of a cart" either.
Baldwin should be asset-stripped down to his underwear in civil liability suites. The Armorer should go to jail.
Most likely, neither of these things will happen.
Mebe Baldwin should practice the cross draw using just his finger. Then, move up using a stick. Then move up using a water gun.....
Thanks..informative video.