Alec Baldwin; Halyna Hutchins.Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty; Anthony Harvey/Getty Images
An attorney for the family of lateRustcinematographerHalyna Hutchinsis responding toSAG-AFTRA’s defenseofAlec Baldwinfollowing new charges against the actor.
“The notion that an actor is not responsible if that actor holds a gun, points it at someone on a movie set, and discharges the weapon flies in the face of common sense and the law,“Gloria Allredsaid in a statement Thursday.
Baldwin was holding a prop gun in October 2021 on the set of the Western when it discharged, killing 42-year-old Hutchins and injuring directorJoel Souza, 50.
TheSaturday Night Livealum has repeatedly maintained that he did not know the gun mistakenly contained a live bullet, and also claimed he did not pull the trigger.
“An actor’s job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert,“the union’s Thursday statement read, in part. “Firearms are provided for use on set under the guidance of multiple expert professionals directly responsible for the safe and accurate operation of that firearm.”
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Alec Baldwin.Jim Spellman/Getty Images
Baldwin was previously charged with involuntary manslaughter one year ago, beforecharges were dropped three months later. He is now charged with involuntary manslaughter (negligent use of a firearm) or alternatively, with involuntary manslaughter (without due caution or circumspection).
With this new charge, the actor faces up to 18 months in prison, according to New Mexico law.
Alec Baldwin; Halyna Hutchins.Rachel Luna/WireImage; Mat Hayward/Getty/AMC Networks
In their Thursday statement, SAG-AFTRA began, “To the extent that the charges filed on January 19 are based on an accusation of negligent use of a firearm predicated on this or any actor having a duty to inspect a firearm as part of its use, that is an incorrect assessment of the actual duties of an actor on set.”
“The guidelines require an experienced, qualified armorer to be put in charge of all handling, use, and safekeeping of firearms on set,” their statement said. “These duties include ‘inspecting the firearm and barrel before and after every firing sequence,’ and ‘checking all firearms before each use.’ "
SAG-AFTRA claimed that the aforementioned guidelines “do not make it the performer’s responsibility to check any firearm,” noting, “Performers train to perform, and they are not required or expected to be experts on guns or experienced in their use.”
Alec Baldwin on the set ofRust.Courtesy of Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office
“The industry assigns that responsibility to qualified professionals who oversee their use and handling in every aspect. Anyone issued a firearm on set must be given training and guidance in its safe handling and use, but all activity with firearms on a set must be under the careful supervision and control of the professional armorer and the employer,” they concluded.
Aside from Baldwin,Ruston-set armorerHannah Gutierrez-Reedwas also previouslycharged with involuntary manslaughter. She has pled not guilty, and is set to stand trial next month.
Attorneys for Gutierrez-Reed declined to comment on Thursday, while legal representatives for Baldwin have not responded to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
An attorney for Hutchins' widower,Matthew Hutchins, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment on Thursday.
source: people.com
