Staff Reports
In a verdict that finally delivers some justice, a New Mexico jury found Hannah Gutierrez, the armorer on the “Rust” movie set, guilty of involuntary manslaughter. This decision comes after the tragic incident in October 2021 when actor Alec Baldwin fired a live round from a replica revolver, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. It’s about time someone was held accountable for this reckless and preventable loss of life.
The judge wasted no time in ordering Gutierrez to be taken into custody following the guilty verdict. It’s clear that her negligence and incompetence in handling firearms on set had disastrous consequences. It’s a relief to see consequences being handed out for such irresponsible behavior. The safety of everyone on set should have been her top priority, and her failure to ensure that led to this avoidable tragedy.
Jury Finds 'Rust' Armorer Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter in Fatal Movie Set Shooting https://t.co/IHXuNLqBVk
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The fact that Gutierrez was acquitted on a charge of evidence tampering is a small consolation compared to the devastation caused by her actions. This case highlighted a series of grave mistakes in gun handling that should never have occurred. Like, who loads a live round into a prop gun, especially on a movie set? Gutierrez’s carelessness and Baldwin’s lack of basic gun safety knowledge created a recipe for disaster.
And let’s not forget Alec Baldwin, the famous anti-gun activist who now finds himself at the center of a gun-related tragedy. It’s ironic how someone so outspoken against guns ended up causing such harm with one. Baldwin’s upcoming manslaughter trial should serve as a reminder that no one is above the law, no matter their celebrity status or political beliefs. The ultimate responsibility for the shooting lies with him, and he must face the consequences of his actions.
In a country with over 80 million responsible gun owners, it’s a disgrace that someone like Baldwin could be so careless with a firearm. This incident should serve as a wake-up call for the entertainment industry to prioritize safety and professionalism on set. Let’s hope that justice is served in Baldwin’s trial and that this tragedy leads to stricter safety protocols in Hollywood. Guns are not toys, and their mishandling can have deadly consequences, as we tragically witnessed on the “Rust” set.
