DETROIT (AP) – Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams will not face criminal charges after being found with a gun in a car driven by his brother, a prosecutor announced on Monday.
The gun found on the floor of the car was registered to Williams, but he did not have a concealed-carry permit (CPL), although his brother did. Prosecutor Kym Worthy explained that Michigan law in this situation is “far from clear,” particularly regarding the circumstances of the Oct. 8 traffic stop at 1 a.m. “We really could not recall any case that had facts that mirrored this case,” she added.
Williams was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his brother when Detroit police pulled them over for speeding. Williams admitted that one of the two guns in the car was his and registered to him. However, under Michigan law, a gun owner without a CPL must store the weapon in a closed case while in a vehicle, a violation of which is a felony. In this case, Williams’ brother had the proper permit.
“The CPL holder here was the driver and had care, custody, and control of the car,” Worthy noted. “Guidance is needed for the future on how many weapons a valid CPL holder can have control over.”
Williams obtained a concealed-carry permit on Nov. 6, a month after the incident, according to his attorney, Todd Flood.
Flood stated, “My client is thankful and humbled by the hard work Kym Worthy and her team put into this matter.”
During the traffic stop, Williams was handcuffed and placed in a patrol car. He was later released with his gun rather than being taken into custody.
Williams, a first-round draft pick in 2022, has had a strong season, with 29 receptions for 602 yards and four touchdowns.