Los Angeles Clippers guard Amir Coffey encountered legal troubles over the weekend as he was arrested and charged with misdemeanour possession of a handgun.
The event occurred during a pre-dawn traffic stop in Los Angeles, and TMZ reported that the arrest ensued when police officers allegedly discovered a firearm while searching the vehicle.
Although Coffey was not the driver, the vehicle was searched after the police smelled marijuana. The police asserted that they found the firearm during this inspection, and Coffey was arrested upon claiming ownership of the gun.
Aftermath and Possible Consequences
Following his admission of owning the weapon, Coffey was taken into custody, where he spent roughly four hours before being released on Sunday morning. It’s anticipated that he will have to reappear in court in August to face these charges.
Another passenger in the vehicle was issued a marijuana citation, but no further details about this individual or their connection to Coffey have been disclosed.
While American law allows Coffey to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, California’s rigorous gun laws and the NBA’s strict stance on guns could have serious repercussions for the Clippers guard. OutKick emphasizes the severity of possessing a gun in California under unsuitable circumstances.
Citing the NBA’s history of dealing with such cases, like that of Ja Morant, it’s clear that the league doesn’t take firearms violations lightly. Even if Coffey is acquitted in court, he could still face disciplinary actions from the NBA, as the league has shown a propensity for taking action against players found with firearms.
