Athletes and firearms

Athletes everywhere have been licensed to carry a gun, some of them include Paul Pierce, and Vince Carter. They say that it is a “necessity” to carry one. But over the past decade i have come to the conclusion that it may not be such a good idea. Incidents that have occurred over the past ten years have caused athletes money, fans, and some even their careers.

October, 2006 Stephen Jackson, a guard for the Indiana Pacers said he fired shots at 2 men outside of a strip club as an act of self defense. Two days later Jackson was found guilty of criminal recklessness, a felony. Commissioner David Stern suspended Jackson for the first seven games of the 2006-2007 season. This wasn’t the first time that Jackson had been in trouble, in 2004 he was involved in a brawl that included him going into the stands and punching a fan during a game in Detroit against the Pistons.

November, 2008 Plaxico Burress, a wide receiver for the New York Giants was involved in a kind of weird altercation at a bar in Manhatten. Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg, which is what made this story so weird. The gun that had accidentally went off did not have a license, so Plaxico was in deep trouble. In September, 2009 Burress was sentenced to 2 years in prison for reckless endangerment, and weapon possession. This story is sad in the fact that just 10 months earlier he had caught the winning touchdown in the Super Bowl to cap off maybe the best upset in the game’s glorious history.

January, 2010 Gilbert Arenas, a point guard for the Washington Wizards brought a gun into the locker room, and allegedly pointed it at a teammate. Arenas said it was just a bad prank and no one was in danger, because the gun was not loaded. There aren’t supposed to be guns in the locker room, loaded or not. NBA commissioner David Stern didn’t take the “prank” so lightly, he suspended Arenas indefinitely and it is unknown if and when he will be allowed back.

The main Problem is that athletes are getting in trouble with the law, and it may make fans and fellow players nervous to be around these star players. In my opinion If an athlete is seen in public, a fan should at least be able to ask for an autograph. Now these people have to worry about their safety as they may be approaching an armed person. When going to a simple professional sporting event people have to worry about their well being which depresses me to a point. I think the commissioners are definitely doing a good job making examples out of these players, but the problem has yet to be solved as it seems that every year we find out a star athlete has run into trouble with the law. In no way shape or form should they be involved in these criminal acts, they make millions of dollars a year(over paid much?) to play a sport that thy love, or at least should love. My memo to athletes who have been in trouble: YOUR SETTING A BAD EXAMPLE FOR THE WORLD!!! Not only their kids but kids, teens, and adults every where. If they keep following this path, future players will have the same problem whether its college or the pros. I guarantee it.

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