Recently, the family’s lawyer rust cameraman Halyna Hutchins responds to SAG-AFTRA’s defense of Alec Baldwin following new allegations against the actor.
“The idea that an actor is not responsible if that actor holds a gun, points it at someone on a movie set and fires the weapon defies common sense and the law,” Gloria Allred said in a statement released Thursday.
Baldwin was holding a revolver in October 2021 on the set of a western when he fired, killing Hutchins, 42, and wounding director Joel Souza, 50.
The Saturday night live Alum has repeatedly claimed he didn’t know the gun mistakenly contained a live round and also claimed he didn’t pull the trigger.
“Security protocols may be considered at trial, but they are not the law,” Allred continued in her statement. “This indictment is the result of a careful evaluation of all the facts and the law by the grand jury. It is important to respect the grand jury’s indictment decision and allow the criminal justice system to proceed to trial where the case is decided on its merits.”
SAG-AFTRA’s defense of Baldwin, 65, comes amid recent news that a New Mexico grand jury has indicted him for manslaughter in connection with the 2021 shooting that killed Hutchins and injured Souza.
“It is not the job of an actor to be an expert on firearms or weapons,” the union said in a statement Thursday. “Firearms are available for use on set under the guidance of multiple professional experts who are directly responsible for the safe and accurate operation of that firearm.”
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Alec Baldwin. Jim Spellman/Getty Images Alec Baldwin and wife Hilaria are finding a new one rust Shooting charge ‘very stressful’, source says (exclusive)
Baldwin was previously charged with manslaughter a year ago, before the charges were dropped three months later. He is now charged with manslaughter (negligent use of a firearm) or alternatively, manslaughter (without due care or caution).
With this new charge, the actor faces up to 18 months in prison, according to New Mexico law.
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Alec Baldwin; Halyna Hutchins. Rachel Luna/WireImage; Matt Hayward/Getty/AMC Networks
In its statement Thursday, SAG-AFTRA began, “To the extent that the charges filed on January 19 are based on an allegation of negligent use of a firearm based on the fact that this or any other actor has a duty to inspect the firearm as part of of its use, it is an inaccurate assessment of the actor’s actual duties on the set.”
According to the union, “Industry standards for safety with firearms and the use of blank ammunition are clearly set forth in Safety Bulletin 1, which is provided by the Joint Commission on Occupational Safety throughout the industry.”
“The guidelines require that an experienced, qualified gunsmith be in charge of all handling, use and custody of firearms on set,” their statement read. “These duties include ‘checking the firearm and barrel before and after each firing’ and ‘checking your firearm before each use.’ ”
SAG-AFTRA argued that the above guidelines “do not make it the performer’s responsibility to check any firearms,” noting, “Performers are training to perform and are not required or expected to be firearms experts or experienced in their use. ”
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Alec Baldwin on set rust. Courtesy of the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office. How can Alec Baldwin be charged again in the murder of Halyne Hutchins? A legal expert explains
“The industry assigns this responsibility to qualified professionals who supervise their use and handling in every aspect. Anyone issued a firearm on set must be trained and instructed in its safe handling and use, but all activities with firearms on set must be closely monitored the supervision and control of the professional armourer and the employer”, they concluded.
Besides Baldwin, rust The gunman on the set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was also previously charged with manslaughter. She pleaded not guilty and is due to stand trial next month.
Attorneys for Gutierrez-Reed declined to comment Thursday, while Baldwin’s legal representatives did not respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
An attorney for Hutchins’ widower, Matthew Hutchins, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment Thursday.
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