Malone the gun columnist

I never worried much that Karl Malone was bigger, stronger, faster and richer than I was.

But now he’s getting into my area.

He’s writing commentaries. Or at least one commentary. About a subject of which I’m fairly unfamiliar: guns.

Malone showed up yesterday on SI.com with his observations on Washington Wizard Gilbert Arenas, who has admitted to storing unloaded guns at the Verizon Center. News reports have alleged Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittendon drew guns on one another in the locker room.

So naturally, SI went to the ultimate gun guy, Malone for his opinion. SI.com

This isn’t to say Malone is a gang-banging gunslinger. But he was a spokesman for the National Rifle Association. His idea of a good day is a day in the wild, bagging big game.

“Once again, gun owners get a bad rap,” wrote Malone. “We’re good people; we’re not back in the Old West. I got my first gun when I was 8 years old — an old .410 single shot. I’ve been around them all the time ever since, and I’m a member of the NRA. I love guns, and I respect guns. I have them in a secure place.”

Malone made news for his involvement in guns, back when he was playing.

“You could pass a law and take (away) every gun in the world, but you’re not gonna take all of mine. You might take the majority of them, but you’ll never take them all,” he told Penthouse.

In 1998, he received a death threat in New Jersey. In 1992, a death threat was called in when the Jazz played in Chicago.

Following the 1998 incident, Malone told reporters “from now on I’m going to be packing,” and added, “We (fly) charter, and I’m going to start carrying a gun on the road with me, no questions asked . . . I’m going to protect myself.”