http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080513/SPORTS/805130306/tbd/

As blatantly obvious as my lack of experience is, I will give this another shot. If it doesn’t work this time just check out my Fanshot. This is why I have been Lurking for so long (April 07). LOL

A [different http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080513/NEWS/805130310] article has just surfaced. Looks like his old man deserves whatever he gets from his son, since HE was the once arrested after the incident on a warrant. Our James wasn’t charged with a thing.

I’m about as pro-gun as a person can be. (See my picture here if you doubt me.) I have a permit to carry a concealed handgun in NM and had one to carry in TX when I lived there. If anything, having a license to carry makes Hardy’s brandishing of his firearm even more troubling. When you get a license to carry a concealed weapon you have to sit through a class. The classes delve into the law and when you can and cannot draw your weapon. It boils down to this: If you aren’t legally permitted to shoot the person you aren’t legally permitted to point a weapon at him either. People who carry concealed weapons are required to know the laws surrounding firearms more deeply than those who don’t carry concealed weapons (Duh!).

Unless Hardy was being physically assualted (or a third party whom Hardy was defending) and had reason to believe he was in imminent danger of being seriously injured he was likely reckless in drawing his weapon. It’s not an anger management issue so much as basic stupidity. As noted above, if Hardy has a license to carry then he has at least signed off on knowing the law. (Kind of like your license to drive is recognition that you know the applicable driving laws.) Hardy has a whole separate issue that people like me don’t have to spend much time considering. To wit, he’s an imposing figure. That, however unfairly, raises the bar as far as Hardy’s fear that he was in imminent danger. Unless his father is an absolute monster (physically speaking) a prosecutor and/or jury would be hard pressed to look at Hardy and believe that he was in fear of his life.

Coming on the heels of the Harrison shooting fiasco I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Hardy winds up with a suspension even if the local authorities don’t press the case.

all know the “rules” of carrying a concealed weapon. However, hardy grew up in a rough neighborhood and it is part of the culture he grew up in. We don’t need a lesson on the privileges of owning a gun. This stuff happens all the time in America, it doesn’t me I’m excusing it, but it’s a much deeper issue than simply understanding the legislative guidelines of owning a hand gun.

We all know now that Hardy has some real issues. You think people you have driver’s licenses all obey traffic laws just bc they took a permit test and a driver’s test? Everyone bends, pushes, or breaks the law…..this is just another example of it. Let’s talk about the real issue of the WHY, and not about how it is a “privilege” to carry a gun and he shouldn’t have pointed it at someone

Like Berg said, family issues are the most passionate. The whole sitauation stinks of a “You owe me, boy!” scenario between a conniving criminal father and his “new money” son. It’s not like Hardy, or anyone close to him, was rich before he got drafted. The change from the being poor to being rich is not exactly fluid. It’s a well known fact that change can create chaos. People who win the lottery find their relationships with everyone close to them strained afterwards. Everyone wants a handout.

James most likely felt that the only way he could get his father to respect him as a man was to pull his gun on him. That being said, James Hardy needs to put some distance between him and the negative influences in his life, just like it was publicized about Darren McFadden and his family before the draft.

The only time you should ever pull a gun is if your life is in danger. Any other time is not acceptable. It does not matter if his father is an ass. You cannot point a gun at someone because they are a crappy dad!!! I also have a gun permit and have carried it on many occasions when I have gotten mad. I have never even considered pulling it out. The only reason Hardy is not going to be prosecuted and convicted is that his father is not pressing charges. Fool me once..shame one you, fool me twice…shame on me!!! . Our great draft is looking a little less great at this point. I hope he does get fined and suspended. It may be the only thing, other than putting a gun to his head, that he understands. I am definitely not going to be buying a Hardy jersey at this point. The Bills need to stop this NOW, or trade him to the Cowboys!!!

“I realize what the public perception could be pertaining to this incident, however that was not the reality of the situation. This situation that has been blown out of proportion has been very hurtful and frustrating for me and my father. There was a misunderstanding and a misinterpretation of the situation. I would like to first apologize to the fans of Buffalo and the Bills organization for any distractions this may have caused. I would also like to apologize to my fans in Indiana and the children who look up to me because it has been hard on me and I know it’s been equally hard on them to hear something of this nature. I do understand that this opportunity with me being drafted by the Buffalo Bills is a blessing and a privilege and not a right. So I ask that my fans just continue to keep me in your prayers and I will continue to strive to be the best I can be on and off the field.”

LINK

Before we go any further, we have no idea if a gun was actually pulled. It is quite possible that this was a misunderstanding, and let’s hope it is. If he did pull the gun, then it was a totally f’ed up move and Hardy should be punished. With no charges, we’ll have to leave it at that. I doubt we’re going to hear much more about this as it is.

that Hardy’s version is the truth. What we know is true: Hardy and his dad were in a fight in a woman’s backyard, the woman says she saw a gun, Hardy owns a gun, Hardy did not stick around long enough for the police to question him on scene. If what Hardy says is true, then why did he leave in such a hurry? I would be interesting to know how long it took the police to respond to the 911 call. Granted, this is not even close to enough evidence to convict him of anything, but If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck…the vast majority of the time…it is a duck!!! O.J. and a jury said that he was innocent too!!! As far as I am concerned, Hardy has two strikes against him and he has not even played a down for us yet.

Ron – What are the Vegas odds that Hardy gets arrested before he scores a TD? I may want in on that action.

To me the thing with his girlfriend is less disturbing because he was younger (he should be smarter now), everyone screws up once (this is twice), and it did not involve a weapon. All Hardy had to do is say. “I don’t owe you anything” and walk away. So, what is the next step? Does he have to actually fire the weapon at someone before we become concerned? If the Bills don’t get him some help now, this will not be the last time Hardy has a “misunderstanding” that involves the police. We have a nice core group of young talent. They seem to be good people with heart. I hope we don’t overlook to much in the persuit of a winning team. The Bills need to be sure they don’t become the Bengals.