It is ironic that a NYDailyNews.com columnist questioned why David Stern didn't send out a gentle reminder to the NBA after the NFL's Plaxico Burress accidently shot himself in December 2008. Perhaps Stern could have pre-empted this current affair with guns by Arenas by saying a little something along the lines of how Burress's incident serves as a warning to NBA players that have a penchant for guns?  Perhaps a 2-year anti-gun toting manifesto is in order from the venerable Celtics-hating NBA commissioner.

It is true that of the major professional sports leagues, only the NBA and NFL have a firearms policy in the collective-bargaining agreement with the players' union. They can own licensed guns of course, they just can't carry them on any league or team business. Also, players are subject to discipline if they bring any kind of firearm, even if it's licensed, to an NBA arena, practice facility or off-site promotional appearance. That's why Arenas' indefinite suspension by Stern was so clear-cut, although some wondered if the Wizard's brass immediately backing up the suspension wasn't a bit self-serving to get from underneath Arenas' monster contract.

Prior to this incident, the last time Stern took the opportunity to say something substantial about guns in the NBA was in 2006 after the Jackson shooting affair in Indy. Following Jackson's arrest, NBA commissioner David Stern said he would like players to leave their guns at home when they go out in public.

"I don't think it's necessary to walk the streets packing a gun," Stern said during his preseason teleconference. "I think it's dangerous for our players. "It's a pretty widely accepted statistic that if you carry a gun, your chances of being shot by one increase dramatically," Stern said. "We think this is an alarming subject, that although you'll read players saying how they feel safer with guns, in fact those guns actually make them less safe. And it's a real issue."

Even Karl Malone, who is an ardent supporter of the right to bear arms and card-carrying NRA member, had this to say about the Arenas situation in his SI column:

I like Arenas, but his initial reaction to this, in which he downplayed the seriousness of having guns in the locker room, was all wrong. It's wrong to make light of a firearm. That's when mistakes are made. 'Fess up, and don't blow it off like it wasn't a mistake. Say, "I made a terrible mistake with a gun. I need to make it right." This is nothing to be laughing about.

You can empathize with the athletes that have become targets due to their fame and wealth. The Celtics Paul Pierce is one such athlete that knows he needs protection now, as stated in the 2006 ESPN article on Athletes and Guns:

In September 2000, the Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce survived a brutal multiple stabbing at a Boston nightclub. Pierce is now licensed to carry a concealed weapon, but leaves his gun at home and hires a bodyguard when he goes out. Still, Pierce considers himself a target. "Because I'm recognized from TV, people want what I have," Pierce said. "You have to be careful because people out there in the world are very envious of your life."

After Stern's 2006 gun statement, Pierce wasn't confident that Stern truly comprehended the players' position in this matter. "I understand David Stern wants to clean up the image, but I think David Stern has to understand where we come from and what some of the players like to do," Pierce said. "I mean, we want to be looked at like normal people, but it's unfortunate that we can't."   Another NBA haunted by violence is Jamaal Tinsley and his entourage.  They weren't bothering anybody when they were shot upon in 2007. Rule No. 1: You have to know how not to flaunt your wealth or fame in the wrong neighborhood.

But Gilbert Areneas clearly has no sense of right or wrong, and he's still probably hollerin' "Gimme Back My Bullets" er "Wizards" as he faces his charges.

Something tells me Agent Zero will not be wiggling out of this one, even if Johnnie Cochran comes to answer the call of this star athlete.