After a ‘Spirited’ On-Air Argument
Fox News host Sean Hannity last October pulled a gun on Fox News contributor Juan Williams, according to CNN Money’s Dylan Byers. The weapon was reportedly unloaded, and both have issued statements claiming they are friends and no one was ever in any danger. But the report also says the gun with the laser sight on was pointed at Williams.
“Last year, after ending one of his many spirited on-air arguments with liberal contributor Juan Williams, Hannity pulled out a gun and pointed it directly at Williams, according to three sources with knowledge of the incident,” Byers reports.
“He even turned on the laser sight, causing a red dot to bob around on Williams’ body. (Hannity was just showing off, the sources said, but the unforeseen off-camera antic clearly disturbed Williams and others on set.)”
Fox News, in a statement to CNN Money, said:Â “The situation was thoroughly investigated and it was found that no one was put in any danger.”
What does Hannity say?
“While discussing the issue of firearms, I showed my good friend Juan Williams my unloaded firearm in a professional and safe manner for educational purposes only,” Hannity’s statement read, Byers reports. “Every precautionary procedure that I have been trained in since the age of 11 was followed. I’ve had a conceal carry permit in five states for all of my adult life. Any other interpretation of this is outright false reporting.”
Let’s just repeat that: In “a professional and safe manner for educational purposes only.”
Williams also issued a statement:
“This incident is being sensationalized — everything was under total control throughout and I never felt like I was put in harm’s way,” Williams’ statement read. “It was clear that Sean put my safety and security above all else and we continue to be great friends.”
Here’s how some are responding on Twitter:
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Image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr and a CC license
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