50% of NFL players might own guns, but how many are carrying them around?

It was interesting to read this article by the Houston Chronicle, which began with the recent Plaxico Burress case.

Fortunately, it would seem that most people realize that Burress' idiotic act is not something that can be condoned. Hopefully Mr. Burress is not expecting any sympathy for his stupidity. There's not really any other way to call an act that involved; a)being stupid enough to shoot himself, b)carrying a gun into a bar and c)carrying a gun in the FIRST PLACE in one of the most restricted cities in the U.S.A. for gun possession.

Fortunately for the vistors to that establishment, no innocent bystander was shot. The article talks about NFL players being targets of opportunity because of their fame and wealth and the fact that some have been held at gunpoint in their homes.

That is no reason to break the law. Many of the professional athletes quoted in the article appear to favor being armed. My question to them is why? I would ask the same thing from the owner of the Texans, Bob McNair who states that while his team discourages players from carrying guns, they do provide players with instructions should they chose to do so.

I hope Mr. McNair's strange policy works for him but I think he is leaving himself wide open for future legal action sould one of his players accidently shoot or kill an innocent person because "they had been provided with instruction" and thereby given the green light by the team itself.

Folks, it's called; "Hiring Security". It is understandable if you feel threatened. It is understandable that you are a target. It is fortunate that when you earn tens of millions of dollars, you can afford to hire a professional to keep you safe. A professional who does this for a living and will not embarrass you on the evening news for shooting themselves.

The very fact that Plaxico Burress did what he did shows that he should never have had a gun - even if it had been legal for him to do so. I wonder what "instruction" he had received regarding it's use?

My message to the NFL and all professional athletes is simple; "Don't be a Plaxico". Just like when you want to fly from California to Washington D.C., you allow a professional pilot take you there. Just because you may own your own plane, does not qualify you to fly it.

You guys carry the ball and we'll carry the guns. It's safer and more entertaining that way.