SMH: Gilbert Arenas Storing Firearms! But Why?
In the middle of doing a list of some of the “stupidest” stories of 2009, I found out that Washington Wizards point guard, Gilbert Arenas, was storing firearms in his locker at the Verizon Center. The Verizon Center is where the Wizards play and I can’t think of one good reason that Arenas would be storing firearms there. I mean, why?
Arenas reportedly told the Washington Times that he didn’t want the firearms kept at his house anymore after his new daughter was born… SMH. Have athletes not learned anything from the Plaxico Burress case?Remember Plaxico? He’s the New York Giant football player and Superbowl Star who HAD to carry a gun into a NEW YORK CITY night club even after friends told him not to. He carries the gun in, it ACCIDENTALLY goes off. It shoots no one but HIM and he’s now in PRISON.
Yeah, Prison. No NFL contract. No red carpets. No hoochies on every corner. No Versace.
Every time I think of that story, I can hardly believe its true. Plaxico is in prison, not playing professional football because he concealed a gun, carried it into a nightclub and shot himself in the leg… REALLY.
Athletes: LEAVE THEM GUNS ALONE! Athletes who want to carry or own firearms should hire round-the-clock armed security because it costs entirely too much to own a gun, conceal it and not know the gun laws in the city that you’re in. If you’re in prison and not working, it cost you too much.
As I understand it, the District of Columbia has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation. Even though the firearms were in a locker and not on Arenas’s person, I can’t see him getting off without any form of punishment.
I met Gilbert a few years back when I interviewed him for a book. I found him to be one of the nicest guys ever. So, I really don’t understand why he would feel the need to own guns in the first place.
There’s some saying that goes if you have a gun, you should plan on using it because that’s sorta what happens. Arenas turned the guns over to the Verizon Center and informed them to turn them into police. Apparently the case is still under investigation, but turning those guns in was the best thing that Gil could have done.Well, not having them in the first place would have been even better.
Gil, leave those guns and chickenheads alone! You’re so much better than that.
Any thoughts on why our professional athletes feel the need to carry heat instead of hiring security? Talk to me!
Tags: firearms, gilbert arenas, Plaxico Burress, Washington Wizards
About the Author
Yasmin Shiraz is the President of Still Eye Rise Films, an independent production company which films educational and thought provoking documentaries that chronicle the lives, traumas and experiences of youth. Her first production, Can She Be Saved?, a documentary that examines violence among middle school girls, was an official selection of the 2009 Roxbury Film Festival and recently won a 2009 Indie Award of Merit from IndieFest.
Yasmin Shiraz is the Award winning Author of Retaliation a novel about a community’s response to youth violence. In 2009, it was selected as one of the top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers by the American Library Association. She is the author of The Blueprint for My Girls: How To Build A Life Full of Courage, Determination & Self Love (Simon and Schuster) and five other books. Her best selling “Blueprint” empowerment series is utilized as a self esteem, motivational, and educational tool at middle and high schools, after school programs, non-profit youth centers, as well as Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the country. 
2 Comments for SMH: Gilbert Arenas Storing Firearms! But Why?
January 2, 2010 at 10:48 am
they won’t leave the guns alone, because they’re smart to know 1)how much Pop Culture is mad and hate to see BlackA$$ be wealthy, so 2)there’s no way that Law Enforcement is going to protect them from being targeted like they are.
It’s proven, American, Historical fact, that law enforcement loves to hear of Black male millionaires getting targeted for violence.
It’s proven fact, that Gilbert exists amongst those players who CLEARLY understand this.
…AND has decided he’s rather be sent to prison like Plaxico, than end up like Sean Taylor or Durrant Williams or Pacman Jones or Eddie Curry or Antwann Walker
January 2, 2010 at 10:54 am
Sean Taylor: Black man shot to death in his upscale home, by robbers—-who the police had proof of them trying to invade his home just 8 days earlier. They did nothing about evidence they had, for 8 days.
Durrant Williams: Black man shot to death after arguing outside of DEN nightclub with some thugs. They shot into Durrant’s limo as it had left the club
Antwann Walker: home invaded and his family and him were tied up, and Antwann was physically assaulted by the perps who ransacked his upscale ‘suburban’ home.
Eddie Curry: same situation as Walker, except the perps killed his girl and their little baby.
Black men aren’t stupid. nba and nfl players, do understand, that police have no concern for these events happening to them. They also understand, that perps realize———–police have no interest in protecting these types.