Deron Williams: 'Not bringing my gun to New York City'

Deron Williams may be a gun owner but the Brooklyn Nets point guard claims he doesn't —and won't — keep a firearm in his posh Manhattan home.

“I got my license to carry in like 26 states, but I’m not bringing my gun to New York City,” Williams said before the Nets practiced on Tuesday and before they traveled up the coast for Wednesday night’s game with the Trail Blazers. “I know better than that.”

Felton, the Knicks’ starting point guard, was charged Tuesday with criminal possession of a weapon in the second, third and fourth-degrees.

Williams, who is originally from Dallas and has another home in Salt Lake City — places where gun laws are more lax — is well aware that New York has among the strictest state laws on gun control in the country.

“It’s a tough situation,” Williams said. “I wish the best for Ray. I know Ray well. That’s tough for him.”

Williams and Felton have a lengthy history between themselves too — going back to being high-school point guards in the same recruiting class in 2002.

Apparently D-Will has better common sense.

Bucs Da'Quan Bowers gets off easy on felony gun rap

New York has some of the toughest gun laws in the country but, when it comes to someone breaking those laws because of stupidity, the same courts can sometimes be lenient.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Da'Quan Bowers found that out after he copped a plea in Queens Thursday to settle two felony charges stemming from his gun bust at LaGuardia Airport in February.

Bowers pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct and will pay a $370 fine. The case will now be "sealed upon payment" Queens Criminal Court Judge Dorothy Chin-Brandt said.

The penalty carries no jail time or probation.

The 23-year-old Bowers told a LaGuardia ticket agent on Feb. 18 he had a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson semiautomatic pistol in his suitcase. The gun and a magazine with eight rounds of ammunition were wrapped in pairs of jeans, prosecutors said.

Bowers was on his way back to Florida after visiting New York City with his girlfriend when he was arrested. The gun, purchased in Florida according to his lawyer, was licensed in his native South Carolina.

Bowers was initially charged with two felony counts of criminal possession of a weapon and freed on a $10,000 bond. The same charges that got former New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress a couple of years in the joint.

Bowers did not speak to reporters Thursday but he tweeted his fans after the judge made her decision.

I appreciate my LOYAL fans I see and read each and every tweet yours are appreciated!
— Da'Quan Bowers (@DaQuanBowers91) April 11, 2013