Quentin Tarantino Blames Alec Baldwin For ‘Rust’ Cinematographer’s Death

A lot has happened since the esteemed cinematographer passed away. In January 2023, both actor Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were charged with involuntary manslaughter for their role in her death.

In April 2023, the charges against Alec Baldwin were dropped pending further investigation into the gun that was used in the shooting. Charges were refiled against him in January 2024 after an FBI forensics report concluded that the gun could not have fired without the trigger being pulled.

In March 2024, a jury spent less than three hours deliberating before they found armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer sentenced her to the state maximum of 18 months behind bars.

In July 2024, the case against the “30 Rock” actor was dropped on what was supposed to be the third day of witness testimony. A crime scene technician testified that there was additional ammunition that had been filed under a case number and never presented to the defense. Lead prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey testified under oath that she knew about this additional ammunition but did not find it relevant to the “Rust” case.

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer decided that the actions of law enforcement and the prosecution were enough to violate the Brady rule and felt that the only appropriate remedy was to dismiss the charges against Alec Baldwin altogether. Despite escaping criminal consequences, Baldwin and several other “Rust” producers are still named in several civil lawsuits.

Although Alec Baldwin will now never be held criminally responsible for the death of Halyna Hutchins, Quentin Tarantino feels that the actor is at least ten percent responsible for gun safety on set. He made his comments during Sunday’s episode of the podcast Club Random, as reported by theDaily Mail.

“It’s a situation, I think I’m being fair enough to say, that the armorer  — the guy who handles the gun — is 90% responsible for everything that happens when it comes to that gun… but but but but but…. the actor is 10% responsible,” the “Pulp Fiction” director stated.

“You are a partner in responsibility to some degree,” he added.

The 61-year-old director went on to say that actors should be responsible for checking their own weapons to make sure that there are no safety risks that could take place when using them for a scene. However, his words come into direct contrast to a statement released by SAG-AFTRA that was posted on their website in January 2024, just days after charges against the “Beetlejuice” actor were refiled.

“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 organization began in its lengthy statement.

Seemingly passing blame along to the “Rust” armorer, SAG-AFTRA went on to clearly state that, “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.”

They go on to explain the guidelines set up by the Joint Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Commission. According to the Industry Standards for Safety with firearms and the use of blank ammunition, a “qualified armorer is to be put in charge of all handling, use, and safekeeping of firearms on set.” They say that it is the job of an armorer to inspect “the firearm and barrel before and after every firing sequence” and check “all firearms before each use.”

According to the organization which represents about 160,000 actors, dancers, program hosts, singers, and other media professionals, the guidelines “do not make it the performer’s responsibility to check any firearm.” They go on to state, “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.”

However, they do admit that “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.”