Devin Harris Sheds Some (Scary) Light on NBA Gun Culture

What a typical NBA locker-room might look like...

If there’s any truth to Devin Harris’ comments about NBA players and guns, and really, why wouldn’t there be, I swear David Stern’s head is going to explode.

You’ve probably heard about the whole Gilbert Arenas vs. Javaris Crittenton standoff at the OK Corral, which had been prefaced by Arenas’ admission that he had brought guns and stored them in his Verizon Center locker. The Arenas/Crittenton incident is currently being investigated by the NBA.

Now, Nets guard Devin Harris is revealing that many NBA players really, really take the second amendment seriously.  Harris estimates that as many as 75% of NBA players own guns.

“I mean, look at the situation,” said Harris, who added that he does not own a gun. “A lot of guys have been robbed. A couple of guys, God rest their souls, have passed away. I guess they feel like they need some sort of protection, I don’t know. I can’t speak for everybody. I’d say between 60 and 75% (of players own guns).”

Yikes.

Like I said, if this is true, and I believe it is, it won’t be good PR for the NBA.  If anything, it will just perpetuate the stereotype of the gang-banging, street thug NBA player, an image that Stern and the league have been trying to change for years.

The NBA does allow it’s players, under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, to legally possess firearms, except at league facilities. But damn, I don’t think they expected 3/4 of the league to own a gun.

Somewhere, Charlton Heston is smiling.

[NY Daily News, Image]