Regardless of the fact that Cardinals linebacker Joey Porter won’t face charges in the wake of Saturday’s arrest outside a Bakersfield, California Taco Bell, the situation could have played out far differently but for a decision made by the local Sheriff three years ago.
Per initial reports, the police officer who allegedly slapped Porter in the face during a DUI stop eventually pointed his pistol at Porter, who continued to move toward the officer. If true, it’s a good thing Porter didn’t have a gun of his own.
According to KGET-TV, an NBC affiliate, Porter previously held a concealed weapons permit. The Kern County Sheriff’s department revoked it after Porter was cited in 2007 for beating up former Bengals tackle Levi Jones.
“As the Sheriff I have to be comfortable with people that have gun permits. And some things happened in Joey’s life that made me become uncomfortable with him being able to conceal a firearm,” Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood told KGET.
None of this means that Porter would have reached for his gun if he’d had one on him when things got hectic on Saturday. But it was an emotional situation. And Porter is an emotional guy. In hindsight, Youngblood made a prudent decision.