Plaxico Burress Surrenders to Police

Burress does not have a permit to carry a handgun in New York, according to police.

According to NY state law, a person carrying a gun without a permit faces 3 1/2 to 15 years in prison if prosecutors can prove that the person intended to use the weapon on another. That's probably unlikely in this case, but the person can still face felony charges with up to seven years in prison. See Also: Plaxico Burress Shot In Leg Will Miss Giants Next Game >>

However, Burress, as an NFL player, will probably get off far easier than John or Jane Q. Public. That doesn't mean he won't feel the wrath of the NFL, though. The league’s personal-conduct policy can suspend a player for violations of local gun laws.

Will they, though? Burress is a star, making the winning TD catch in this year's Super Bowl. Since signing a five-year, $35 million contract this year, he has had a troubled season.

He has already been suspended for 12 days this season, due to missing team meetings without explanation, and was fined by the league for criticizing officials in another game.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said: "This is a law enforcement matter and we are continuing to cooperate fully with the police. In addition, it will be reviewed under our league policies."

The last really big case involving an NFL football star was the Michael Vick dog fighting case. There, he receieved a stern sentence, though once again perhaps easier than a normal citizen might. But in that case, many citizens turned on Vick, showing the love (perhaps more than for a person) that many in America have.