Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Josh Huff made headlines on Tuesday when police found a small amount of marijuana and a 9mm handgun with hollow point bullets in his car during a routine traffic stop.
Huff had a valid permit for the weapon in Texas but was arrested for possessing the gun in New Jersey, a state with notoriously strict gun laws. Huff has taken full responsibility for his actions and their consequences. He told reporters that he was aware of the state’s strict laws but “was not aware enough.” He was officially charged with speeding, possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of a weapon, and prohibited weapons/devices.
Huff regrets not being fully aware of local gun laws but shows no remorse for exercising his Second Amendment rights. When questioned about his decision to carry the firearm he stated:
“I’m a professional athlete. What professional athlete don’t have a gun? I have a wife and I have a son at home, and my job is to protect them at all costs. My job is to protect myself as well.”
Huff points out that many professional athletes own guns, but also made a point to separate himself from the pack as a responsible gun owner. He stated to the media:
“I’m not Gilbert Arenas, bro,”
Huff was referring to an ex-Washington Wizards player that was arrested for carelessly brandishing a gun in the locker room. Huff admits he made a “terrible decision” by not researching local laws more thoroughly before making the decision to carry. He put the safety of himself and his family first and took every precaution he could to ensure safe transportation of the weapon; the gun was unloaded at the time of the arrest.
Huff has apologized to his teammates, the NFL, and fans for the distraction the incident has caused. He is being charged with not having a valid New Jersey permit, which is a second-degree crime. Possessing hollow point bullets is a fourth-degree crime. His court date is scheduled for November 15, 2016.
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