I didn't even think of using a bullet behavior, which elimnates the need for the instance variables (although you do have to make sure bullet speed is initially set to zero.)
I also didn't know you could use both a platform and a bullet behavior on the same sprite!
Makes me wonder "What else don't I know?"
Don't answer that. <img src="smileys/smiley4.gif" border="0" align="middle" />