"SAG-AFTRA Stands by Alec Baldwin: Actor's Role Not to Be Firearms Expert"

SAG-AFTRA defended Alec Baldwin in the "Rust" manslaughter case, stating that actors are not responsible for firearms safety and that the industry assigns that duty to qualified professionals. The union's statement comes after Baldwin was indicted for involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The case also involves the film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who faces separate charges. The prosecution will need to prove "criminal negligence" to establish involuntary manslaughter in either case. California passed a law setting training requirements for film armorers and codifying set safety standards for firearm use following the incident.