NBA's Dwight Howard Brings Loaded Gun to Airport! Rockets Star Won't Face Charges
- Nens Bolilan
- Sep 03, 2015 08:23 AM EDT
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Houston Rockets star Dwight Howard was recently stopped at an airport for carrying his bag a loaded gun but luckily the NBA player will not be facing charges for such violation.
In an initial report, TMZ said Howard's attention was called at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston last Aug. 28 when his hand-carry baggage was discovered to contain a loaded gun.
"Law enforcement sources tell us ... a further inspection revealed the gun -- a Glock 26 9mm -- was LOADED with one round in the chamber," added TMZ.
Houston Police Department spokesperson Kese Smith confirmed with ESPN the discovery of the gun at the bottom of his bag with him admitting that it was his.
Upon investigation, authorities said that Howard claimed that he forgot that the gun was still inside his carry-on bag.
Asked why the NBA star was not arrested nor pressed with charges, TMZ law enforcement sources revealed that there are "looser" gun laws in Texas compared to other California states.
"Cops were called to the scene, but we're told he was allowed to give the weapon to an associate who took the gun out of the airport," noted TMZ.
After recovering the gun, Howard was reportedly allowed to board his plane like "nothing happened."
Smith explained with ESPN that guns being recovered from passengers are not any more new at the two airports of Houston - Bush and William P. Hobby. He even noted that 77 were discovered last year, but only a few individuals were charged.
"This isn't unusual," Smith added.
Texas law reportedly states that anyone can carry a concealed handgun given that they have a proper license.
"A law passed this year will allow those in Texas with a conceal-carry license to openly carry starting Jan. 1, 2016," added ESPN.
The Rockets reportedly claimed that they have been informed of the incident while Howard has not yet released a statement on the matter.
Despite Howard's ability to escape any charges on the incident, Yahoo Sports said that the basketball player could still "face discipline" from the team in a form of a suspension or a fine.
In addition, Washington Post said Howard will not be able to join his team when the season begins come Oct. 28 since the NBA suspended him for a game "after it deemed a fourth-quarter foul doled out to the Golden State Warriors' Andre Iguodala during the NBA Playoffs a Flagrant-1."
Since it was his fourth flagrant foul of the postseason, a one-game suspension became automatic.
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