SAG-AFTRA Issues Statement Defending Alec Baldwin Over ‘Rust’ Charges

SAG-AFTRA has issued a statement defending Alec Baldwin and criticizing the New Mexico prosecutors’ decision to re-charge the actor with involuntary manslaughter for the accidental shooting death on the set of Rust in October 2021.

“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 actors’ union said in a statement.

“An actor’s job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert. 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.”

Baldwin previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter in February 2023 in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, but prosecutors in New Mexico ultimately dismissed the charges against the actor in April 2023 before he went to trial.

However, with new prosecutors assigned to the case since the dismissal, a grand jury voted to revive the criminal case against Baldwin earlier this month. In the indictment obtained by Rolling Stone, the grand jury recommended one of two charges to prosecutors: Involuntary manslaughter due to negligent use of a firearm – which isn’t a felony – or involuntary manslaughter without due caution or circumspect, a fourth-degree felony.

In both cases, the grand jury found that Baldwin “did cause the death of Halyna Hutchins.”

In their statement, SAG-AFTRA argued that Baldwin shouldn’t be blamed and especially charged for the “negligent” use of the firearm, since that’s not the role of an actor, it’s the job of the armorer.

“The guidelines do not make it the performer’s responsibility to check any firearm. Performers train to perform, and they are not required or expected to be experts on guns or experienced in their use,” SAG-AFTRA added. 

“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.”

Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed also faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering in the October 21, 2021, on-set accident where Baldwin shot and killed Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza while rehearsing a Rust scene; it remains unclear how a “live round” ended up in the firearm. Hutchins’ trial is scheduled to begin in February; she has pleaded not guilty to charges.

After the charges against Baldwin were dropped, Rust went back into production, with the movie wrapping up filming last year.

SAG-AFTRA has issued a statement defending Alec Baldwin and criticizing the New Mexico prosecutors’ decision to re-charge the actor with involuntary manslaughter for the accidental shooting death on the set of Rust in October 2021.

“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 actors’ union said in a statement.

“An actor’s job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert. 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.”

Baldwin previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter in February 2023 in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, but prosecutors in New Mexico ultimately dismissed the charges against the actor in April 2023 before he went to trial.

However, with new prosecutors assigned to the case since the dismissal, a grand jury voted to revive the criminal case against Baldwin earlier this month. In the indictment obtained by Rolling Stone, the grand jury recommended one of two charges to prosecutors: Involuntary manslaughter due to negligent use of a firearm – which isn’t a felony – or involuntary manslaughter without due caution or circumspect, a fourth-degree felony.

In both cases, the grand jury found that Baldwin “did cause the death of Halyna Hutchins.”

In their statement, SAG-AFTRA argued that Baldwin shouldn’t be blamed and especially charged for the “negligent” use of the firearm, since that’s not the role of an actor, it’s the job of the armorer.

“The guidelines do not make it the performer’s responsibility to check any firearm. Performers train to perform, and they are not required or expected to be experts on guns or experienced in their use,” SAG-AFTRA added. 

“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.”

Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed also faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering in the October 21, 2021, on-set accident where Baldwin shot and killed Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza while rehearsing a Rust scene; it remains unclear how a “live round” ended up in the firearm. Hutchins’ trial is scheduled to begin in February; she has pleaded not guilty to charges.

After the charges against Baldwin were dropped, Rust went back into production, with the movie wrapping up filming last year.