Ja Morant's Legal Troubles: Which Law Was Broken?

Memphis Grizzlies basketball player Ja Morant has been involved in several controversial incidents, including an incident at a strip club where he appeared to flash a gun on Instagram live. The police investigated whether Morant broke Colorado gun laws, as it is a class 2 misdemeanour in the state to possess a firearm while under the influence of alcohol. Morant was also sued for allegedly punching a teenager during a pickup game, although he claimed it was in self-defence. While Morant has not been charged with any crime, he has faced consequences for his actions, including suspensions from the Grizzlies and the NBA.

Gun possession in a nightclub

Gun laws in the United States vary by state and are largely under the jurisdiction of the city or state. In Texas, for example, it is illegal to possess or go with a firearm on the premises of a business that derives more than 51% of its income from the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption. This would include nightclubs.

In the state of Texas, a person commits an offense if they carry a handgun on or about their person in a public place, unless they are licensed to do so. This includes displaying the handgun in plain view of another person. It is also illegal to possess certain types of weapons, such as explosive weapons, machine guns, short-barrel firearms, and armor-piercing ammunition.

In 2023, Ja Morant was accused of punching a teenager several times in the head and flashing a gun. Morant's agent refuted the allegations, and no charges were filed. Morant has not been suspended by the NBA or the Memphis Grizzlies, despite a viral video of NBA commissioner Adam Silver announcing an indefinite suspension. The video was fake and posted on a parody Twitter page.

While Morant has not faced any legal consequences for the alleged incident, it has tainted his reputation. As one of the best players in the league, Morant is unlikely to be suspended by the NBA or his team, but he will need to be careful going forward as he is walking on thin ice.

Assault of a teenager

In September 2022, NBA star Ja Morant was sued for allegedly punching a 17-year-old during a pickup basketball game at his home. The teenager claimed that Morant hit him '12 to 13' times, while a member of Morant's entourage struck him another 'four to five' times. Morant's agent refuted these claims, stating that Morant was acting in self-defence after the teenager threw a basketball and 'accidentally' hit him in the face.

Morant was investigated by the police and no charges were brought against him. However, the incident sparked concerns about his behaviour and raised questions about his suitability as a role model. The NBA investigated the allegations and did not find any evidence to support the claims. Despite this, Morant's actions had negative consequences for his public image and led to him taking a break from basketball to focus on his well-being.

In addition to the assault allegations, Morant was also accused of brandishing a gun during the incident. The teenager claimed that Morant went into his house and re-emerged with a gun tucked into his waistband. These allegations were strongly denied by Morant's lawyer, who stated that any claims involving a firearm had been fully investigated and could not be corroborated.

The incident involving the teenager was not an isolated event. There were also reports of Morant threatening a security guard at a mall a few days before the assault. This incident was triggered by a verbal altercation between Morant's mother and an employee at a store inside the mall. Morant arrived at the mall with an entourage and refused to leave the premises, leading to a tense confrontation with the security staff.

While Morant was not charged with any crime in relation to the assault of the teenager, the incident attracted significant media attention and had repercussions for his career. It is important to note that the legal system's decision to not pursue charges does not erase the impact of the alleged assault on the teenager and the concerns it raised about Morant's conduct.

Pointing a gun at a teenager

In March 2023, the Memphis Grizzlies basketball player Ja Morant was accused of pointing a gun at a teenager. The incident took place during a pickup basketball game at Morant's home.

Morant allegedly punched a 17-year-old boy several times in the head, with reports varying between 12 to 13 times and 17 times. A member of Morant's entourage also reportedly struck the teenager. The teenager claimed that Morant then went into his house and re-emerged with a gun, with one hand on the weapon in the waistband of his pants. The teenager stated that he was then punched in the head again, leaving him with a large knot.

Morant's agent refuted the allegations, stating that any claims involving a firearm had been fully investigated and could not be corroborated. Morant himself claimed that he acted in self-defence and that the teenager had threatened him. Law enforcement decided not to press charges.

However, Morant's behaviour has come under scrutiny, with concerns about his conduct off the basketball court. The NBA investigated the incident, and Morant was suspended for eight games without pay. He was also suspended from all team activities by the Grizzlies for a separate incident in May 2023, where he flashed a gun during an Instagram Live session.

Violation of NBA player gun possession rules

The NBA has strict rules regarding gun possession by players. It is against NBA rules for players to possess a firearm while on team property or while travelling on team business.

In March 2023, the NBA launched an investigation into an Instagram Live video of Morant displaying a gun at a Colorado nightclub. The video was posted just hours after the Memphis Grizzlies lost to the Denver Nuggets. The Grizzlies announced that Morant would be away from the team for at least two games, and Morant also released a statement saying that he would be leaving the team indefinitely to focus on his stress, anxiety, and overall well-being.

Morant was not criminally charged for the incident by the Glendale, Colorado, police department, who stated they were "not able to determine that probable cause existed for the filing of any charges." However, the NBA still suspended him for eight games without pay.

This was not the first time Morant had been involved in a gun-related incident. In September 2022, Morant was sued for allegedly punching a 17-year-old and then brandishing a gun during a pickup basketball game at his home. Morant claimed he acted in self-defence, and no charges were brought against him. Additionally, in February 2023, the NBA investigated an incident where a member of the Pacers claimed that a red laser was pointed at their team bus after a game against the Grizzlies. The laser was allegedly attached to a gun, but the NBA could not corroborate this.

Morant's gun-related incidents have caused concern among fans and the NBA, with many worried about his well-being and the potential consequences of his actions.

Violation of Colorado gun laws

It is important to note that the NBA investigated the incident involving Ja Morant and found no evidence to support the allegations. Morant's agent also refuted the claims, stating that any and all allegations involving a firearm have been fully investigated and could not be corroborated.

However, if Morant had been in Colorado, here are some ways he may have violated Colorado gun laws:

Firstly, Colorado allows individuals to carry firearms in vehicles for lawful protection. However, it is unlawful to have any firearm, other than a pistol or revolver, in or on any motor vehicle unless the chamber is unloaded. Morant allegedly flashed a gun, which, if it was not a pistol or revolver, may have been a violation of this law.

Secondly, Colorado law permits individuals to possess handguns in dwellings, businesses, or automobiles, but they must be in plain view when carried into these locations. If Morant brought a handgun into a dwelling, business, or hotel room and kept it concealed, he would be in violation of this law.

Thirdly, Colorado prohibits the possession, sale, or transfer of "large-capacity magazines," defined as magazines or devices that can hold more than 15 rounds. If Morant possessed or used a magazine with a capacity greater than 15 rounds, he would be in breach of this law.

Lastly, it is unlawful to possess a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances in Colorado. If Morant was under the influence of any substance while in possession of a firearm, he would be violating this law.

These are some potential ways in which Ja Morant may have violated Colorado gun laws if the incident had taken place in that state.

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