Director Quentin Tarantino stated that Alec Baldwin bears “10% responsibility” for the 2021 shooting on the “Rust” movie set that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. During an appearance on the “Club Random with Bill Maher” podcast, Tarantino emphasized that the armorer holds 90% of the responsibility, but asserted that actors also share some accountability when handling firearms.

Baldwin was rehearsing a scene on October 21, 2021, when the prop revolver discharged, fatally wounding Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin faced charges of involuntary manslaughter, though a judge dismissed the case in July after prosecutors were found to have concealed evidence. Meanwhile, the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Tarantino stressed the importance of gun safety protocols on set, explaining that due diligence includes verifying that the gun’s barrel is clear. He also mentioned that if an actor notices an issue with the gun during filming, they should immediately stop and alert the crew.

The incident led to widespread discussions about safety practices in Hollywood. When asked if gun effects should be added in post-production, Tarantino disagreed, stating that the real effect of firing blanks adds excitement to the scene.

NBC News has reached out to representatives for Tarantino and Baldwin for comment.