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Halyna Hutchins death: Internet fumes as judge rules ‘Rust’ armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed can keep gun at home

'Rust' armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed made her first court appearance for her involvement in the on-set death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins

SANTA FE, MEXICO: For self-defense, 'Rust' armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was allowed to keep a gun at her residence, a judge ruled on Friday, February 24. The permission was granted to the armorer who is allegedly involved in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, on the film set.

Alec Baldwin shot at Hutchins from a prop gun that was loaded and the incident took place on October 21, 2021. The 25-year-old armorer and the disgraced actor who pleaded not guilty are charged with involuntary manslaughter over the death of Hutchins. Director, Joel Souza was also injured during the on-set shooting, reported New York Post.

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Firearm 'for self-defense in her home only.'

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed who pleaded not guilty to the involuntary manslaughter charges made her first court appearance held through video and Jason Bowles, her defense attorney put forward a request to the judge on his client seeking permission to keep a gun at her home for self-defense. Gutierrez-Reed claimed that she had been receiving threats and against a stalker, she had to take out a restraining order. A gun "for self-defense in her home only," said Bowles when he requested the judge.

However, the proposition opposed the request to keep firearms at home as Mary Carmack-Altwies, the First Judicial District Attorney claimed that "this case came about at least in part because of Ms. Gutierrez-Reed’s sloppy handling and misfiring of guns." Explaining that the prosecution "adamantly oppose her having a firearm," they suggested using other weapons such as a bat or pepper spray for her self-defense.

According to the New York Post, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer then said that Guiterrez-Reed can have "a firearm for self-defense at your residence,” and also remain out with no bail. 

While the filming progressed at Santa Fe's Bonanza Creek Ranch where Baldwin shot the prop gun he was allegedly handed over by the rookie armorer Gutierrez-Reed who was responsible for overseeing the film's ammunition and weapons. If convicted, both Gutierrez-Reed and Baldwin will face up to 18 months in prison. 

'Absolute clown show'

Debating the armorer who handled the weapons during the fatal shooting, the internet debated on the judge allowing her to own weapons at her home. One Twitter user wrote, "Wow, the jokes write themselves in this case where a person charged with negligence regarding firearms is allowed to keep her gun for self-defense absolute clown show," and another wrote, "The jokes never stop," while someone commented, "Let her have a prop gun," and a different user opined, "Very disappointing."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online