Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams made an impressive 64-yard touchdown catch during the second half of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, November 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams will not face charges following a late-night traffic stop where a gun registered in his name was discovered in the vehicle. The decision, announced by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, highlights legal gray areas in Michigan’s firearm laws, leaving room for debate on their interpretation.
The incident occurred at 1 a.m. on October 8 when Detroit police pulled over a speeding car driven by Williams’ brother. Inside, officers found two guns, one of which was registered to Williams. However, Williams did not possess a concealed-pistol license (CPL) at the time, raising questions about whether he violated state laws requiring firearms in vehicles to be stored in a closed case. His brother, the driver, did have a valid CPL.
Michigan law, Worthy explained, lacks clarity when addressing cases like this, where multiple firearms are involved, and only one person in the vehicle holds a CPL. “We could not recall any case that mirrored this one,” she said, emphasizing the need for clearer legal guidelines. Prosecutors ultimately determined that Williams’ brother, as the licensed driver, had control over the vehicle and its contents, making charges against Williams unwarranted.
Attorney Todd Flood, representing Williams, expressed gratitude for the thoroughness of the investigation. He also noted that Williams had obtained his CPL on November 6, about a month after the traffic stop. “My client is thankful and humbled by the hard work Kym Worthy and her team put into this matter,” Flood said.
During the stop, Williams was briefly detained, handcuffed, and placed in a patrol car. However, officers released him at the scene, returning his firearm rather than taking him into custody. This outcome further underscores the complexities surrounding Michigan’s firearm transportation laws and their enforcement.
The case has raised broader questions about firearm ownership and responsibility in Michigan, particularly regarding how many weapons a single CPL holder can reasonably claim to have “control” over while in a vehicle. Worthy called for more comprehensive guidance on these matters to prevent similar legal ambiguities in the future.
Williams, a rising star with the Lions, has since moved past the ordeal and appears focused on his professional career. For now, his brush with the law serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and adhering to state firearm regulations.
