The Second Amendment, as well as the gun culture in America, has been under considerable heat under Joe Biden. If Democrats had their way, no one would have guns except criminals, of course, and the public at large would be defenseless. America was founded largely because of firearms, and the right to bear them to protect ourselves from harm and from the government is protected in the Constitution.
Since the left generally considers the Constitution more of a suggestion than a sacred document guiding the country, liberals have been seeking gun control for years. With every gun-related tragedy, Democrats politicize the issue in the name of gun control, often before facts and evidence are considered.
Naturally, conservatives and legal, responsible gun owners are castigated in the name of gun control, and in many parts of America, it is actually illegal to carry a firearm. Of course, these “gun-free” zones are almost always the most violent, crime-ridden areas because criminals don’t obey the law. That leaves many folks vulnerable and open to violent crime.
For the wealthy and affluent, most can afford personal security, and they ironically carry firearms. Professional athletes are often the targets of thieves and criminals because of their propensity to carry large amounts of cash and wear opulent jewelry, and even though most can afford security, some still choose to protect themselves as well.
One NBA legend spoke about the Second Amendment and America’s gun culture recently. John “Spider” Salley won four NBA Championship rings in three different decades, and while he could afford personal security, he still carried an extra layer of protection. He said: “When I was in Detroit, I always had a gun. Even though I was with my brothers and we had security, I always carried my gun. So, for some people, we’re Americans, we feel safer with guns… This is the culture – People feel safer with guns.”
Jokes about Detroit aside, Salley had armed security as well as his own firearm. He felt safer and that he could handle the responsibility if he had to use his gun, but the NBA wasn’t and still isn’t on the same page. The league has struggled with the optics behind a number of gun-related incidents with high-profile players and went as far as suspending Memphis Grizzly star Ja Morant for eight games after he posted an Instagram video brandishing a gun.
The most significant black eye for the league was an incident with star player Gilbert Arenas. Arenas had a dispute over a card game with teammate Javaris Crittenton that led to both players bringing guns into the locker room, ostensibly to intimidate the other. The situation escalated, resulting in Arenas leaving two guns in Crittenton’s locker with a note reading “pick 1.” Arenas received a 50-game suspension without pay, and his reputation never recovered.
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The NBA has spent considerable time and money attempting to restrict the rights of their players to carry firearms, but it hasn’t stopped many from doing just that. Players like Spider Salley will continue to carry to protect themselves. The world is less safe under Joe Biden, and considering how much money most of these athletes make, you can hardly blame them.
Featured image screen grab from embedded video video