• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Arenas is suspended "indefinitely"

burk48237

burk48237

Supporting Member
Nov 22, 2004
9,850
3,568
68
Oak Park, MI
#1
I knew this was coming, but I had no idea for how long. I suspect indefinitely will be a long time. I get the Pro Athletes with guns thing. Modern athletes have a lot of money, many tend to show it off, and lately have been the victims of a lot of attacks. But what is the deal with Athletes and illegal guns? Of course in Gilberts case no handgun is legal in DC. Plaxico could not have gotten a permit in NYC either (I don't believe). But why do they feel that they don't have to follow the rules (get permits) and use some common sense with firearms (don't wave it around in a locker room when you lose a bet and the waste band of your sweat pants is not a holster)?


http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/Arenas-suspended-indefinitely-010610
 
#4
karrot-x said:
Handguns are legal in DC. They must meet specific requirement.
Click to expand...

Possession may be, but transport, carry, and concealment are not. My understanding is that these guns were not registered. They are allowed currently to only "keep guns at home, unloaded, disassembled or with a trigger lock". And all Handguns must be registered. There is no CCW (concealed carry) process or legality in Washington DC.
 
#11
I find it easy to imagine that he didn't see a big deal with this and I don't necessarily begrudge him for it. Largely due to income and a lifestyle we (sports fans) provide, he and many others live in a bubble that is very much out of touch with the reality that your average guy faces everyday. Now, I think the action was dangerous and (obviously) punishable, but his ignorance of the gravity is (at least to me) somewhat understandable.

That said, assuming he's out for the remainder of the season, isn't he out something like 10 million dollars?

Mike
 
#13
As a Wizards fan who attends a couple games per season, I can't even comprehend what Arenas did. It's absurd beyond my ability to understand. I'd say he was stupid, but I don't think the word "stupid" begins to describe the complete absurdity of this episode. He brought FOUR GUNS into the LOCKER ROOM and was flaunting them around? Has anyone read Mike Wise's article from the Washington Post this morning? OMGWTFBBQ x 100.

I would not be surprised if he was never allowed to play in the NBA again. It's one thing to have a gun charge in your personal life outside of your sports life, but to have guns in the effing locker room? What in the NAME OF CRAP was he THINKING?????

I think Arenas had to be completely out of touch with reality in a way that very few people can even comprehend.

I also think that one reason the Wizards organization hasn't done anything about it is because there is a power vacuum with the death of owner Abe Pollin. There's no one person in charge - it's all going through the legal stuff right now. Abe Pollin, the man who had the team ditch their "Bullets" name because he didn't want to even remotely promote gun culture in a city rife with it, is surely rolling in his grave.
 
#14
Hold on...

It's ok to be a thug as long as it's not in the locker room?

Dude, you are who you are regardless of where you are. Rodman was a weirdo in and out of the locker room, Kobe was a jerk on and off the court until the past couple years, LeBron is a self-important jerk everywhere, and Shaq is ALWAYS a really big dude.

Why is it better ethically to be something one place and not another?
 
#16
It's ok to be a thug as long as it's not in the locker room?
Click to expand...
Do you paint any black man who owns a gun as a "thug"? I don't. Lots of people of all races colors and creeds like to collect and shoot guns much like we collect and play bass. It's fun. But of course a gun is not like a bass. There are specific legal ramifications and safety protocols which are adhered to by gun owners. It's the gun owner's job to know the laws about guns in the localities where they intend to possess them. Gil knows this. He's had gun charges in the past.

As to what's particular to the locker room.

(1) It's the workplace, and that workplace has nothing to do with guns. Think about your workmate bringing in four guns and throwing them on your desk.
(2) The NBA very clearly and specifically prohibits guns on any team facilities. All players know this.
 
#18
so apparently, not only was it against NBA regulations, but against the law to have guns at that facility, being within some distance from a school. I think he may very well end up doing some time, or at least paying fines for this.

I mean what he did was dumb, but it's not like he's ever really had another job (I guess). I mean, could YOU get away with taking your guns to work?
 
#19
Gubna said:
so apparently, not only was it against NBA regulations, but against the law to have guns at that facility, being within some distance from a school. I think he may very well end up doing some time, or at least paying fines for this.

I mean what he did was dumb, but it's not like he's ever really had another job (I guess). I mean, could YOU get away with taking your guns to work?
Click to expand...

Yes, But then I'm on the road in sales and don't have any customers in schools or sports arenas. If you have a CCW in many states you could take your gun to work in theory. But many workplaces do bar firearms possession (it's is the right of a private business). But NYC, Chicago, and Washington DC, don't issue permits for anyone pretty much.
 
#20
mike_v_s said:
I find it easy to imagine that he didn't see a big deal with this and I don't necessarily begrudge him for it. Largely due to income and a lifestyle we (sports fans) provide, he and many others live in a bubble that is very much out of touch with the reality that your average guy faces everyday. Now, I think the action was dangerous and (obviously) punishable, but his ignorance of the gravity is (at least to me) somewhat understandable.

That said, assuming he's out for the remainder of the season, isn't he out something like 10 million dollars?

Mike
Click to expand...

Yes they do live in a bubble.

And I think he will be ok even if he loses the $10 million. He has a $100 million guaranteed contract. The only way he will really have screwed himself is if he gets banned from the league for life and Washington invokes a morals clause to try and cancel the contract. Maybe they will do that even if he only gets banned for a year. They should.

Either way you don't bring guns to your work place. Whether athletes live in a bubble or not it is truly mind boggling that he thought this was a good idea. A lot of athletes and celebrities really seem to believe they are untouchable and above the law.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back