Methods and apparatus for reducing electrostatic discharge damage to a read/write (R/W) head attached to a shutter/head assembly are disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a shutter/head assembly includes a lead screw, a head housing, and a shutter. The head assembly is configured to be coupled to a R/W head, and is rotatably coupled with the lead screw. The shutter is also rotatably coupled to the lead screw, but in such a manner that the shutter is able to rotate independently of the head housing. The shutter is also configured in such a manner so that it rotates to a radial position between the R/W head and the tape/leader ribbon when the lead screw brings the shutter toward a certain linear position, and rotates to another radial position away from the R/W head and the tape/leader ribbon when the lead screw brings the shutter toward a different linear position.