Fox News anchor Sean Hannity once pulled out an unloaded gun after an on-air segment with commentator Juan Williams, the network confirmed Thursday.

The acknowledgment came after CNN published a story saying Hannity, in October, pointed a gun and its red laser at Williams. Hannity responded by saying he was being "safe" and he showed Williams the gun for "educational purposes."

Three witnesses told CNN that Hannity, a conservative and ardent supporter of the Second Amendment, "pulled a gun" and turned it on Williams.

In a statement, Williams said the whole ordeal has been "sensationalized."

"[E]verything was under total control throughout and I never felt like I was put in harm's way," Williams said in a statement to CNN. "It was clear that Sean put my safety and security above all else and we continue to be great friends."

Statements from Fox News and Hannity similarly touted his past firearm training.

"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 said in his statement. "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."

"Sean Hannity has been trained in firearm safety since he was 11 years old and has a license to carry a gun in five states, including New York," Fox News said in a statement. "The situation was thoroughly investigated and it was found that no one was put in any danger."