SAG-AFTRA defends Alec Baldwin: “An actor’s job is not to be a firearms expert”
nme.comAlec Baldwin after he was indicted last week for involuntary manslaughter following the shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.A grand jury in New Mexico (where the movie was filmed) indicted the actor last week (January 19) after initial charges were dismissed in April.
According to the BBC, attorneys for Baldwin have said: “We look forward to our day in court.”Baldwin was the co-producer and lead actor on Rust, which was in production just outside Santa Fe in October 2021.
Hutchins was killed after a bullet was released from a prop gun held by Baldwin, also wounding director Joel Souza.“An actor’s job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert,” the union said. “Performers train to perform, and they are not required or expected to be experts on guns or experienced in their use.
The industry assigns that responsibility to qualified professionals who oversee their use and handling in every aspect.”The full statement from SAG-AFTRA read: “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.“An actor’s job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert.
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