A gun charge against former Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden filed by Houston prosecutors was dismissed Thursday.
Harden, who was arrested on June 13 after police found he had a handgun in his vehicle, reportedly completed an “alternative resolution agreement,” the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported. The National Rifle Association (NRA) defended Harden after the arrest became public, saying it would seek to address the matter via legislation.
“While we respect law enforcement, this case highlights unnecessary technicalities in current statutes that can ensnare law-abiding gun owners,” the NRA said in a statement to the DCNF. “The NRA is committed to finding legislative fixes in Texas to ensure other law-abiding citizens are not wrongfully arrested for simply exercising their Second Amendment rights. We will continue working with lawmakers to strengthen constitutional carry protections and eliminate confusing restrictions that do not enhance public safety.”
Harden was arrested in June because his handgun was not in a holster in his vehicle, The Sporting News reported. Police took Harden into custody at 3:41 a.m. on June 13, and the Cavaliers star was released shortly before 5:00 a.m. that day on $100 bail.
Under Texas law, any firearm that is partially or completely visible must be in a holster, even though Texas is one of 29 states with “constitutional carry,” meaning a permit is not required to carry a firearm. The technicality of the arrest drew fire from Gun Owners of America.
“Texas allows constitutional carry, yet James Harden was arrested because his legally owned firearm wasn’t in a holster in his vehicle,” GOA posted on June 13. “The government has no business micromanaging how a law-abiding citizen secures their own gun.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
(DCNF)