Kyle Busch, a driver and former NASCAR Cup Series champion, said Wednesday that the fact that he and his family safely escaped an active shooter situation at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., last year had no bearing on his decision to obtain a concealed carry permit for a pistol.
Wife Samantha Busch described the incident through a post on Instagram.
“I was a porter before that,” Busch said of the August incident before the Michigan NASCAR Cup race.
The question was asked during Daytona 500 media day at Daytona International Speedway, following Busch’s recently posted statement on social media in which he said his handgun was flagged during a traffic stop routine at an airport in Mexico where he and his wife had been reported. on vacation in January. His .380 caliber Ruger and six useful hollow point bullets were seized by authorities at a private airport terminal in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
In the United States, there are no security checks at terminals reserved for private planes. In Busch’s statement, he said he was detained “until the situation is resolved.”
Busch said he forgot the handgun was in his bag. Once discovered, he “fully cooperated with authorities, agreed to the sanctions and returned to North Carolina.”
“I apologize for my mistake and appreciate the respect shown by all parties as we resolved the issue. My family and I consider this matter closed,” Busch said in the statement.
Busch reiterated Wednesday that the statement he released was “all that will be said on this subject.”
NASCAR said Busch’s conviction in Mexico did not violate the organization’s member code of conduct. This code of conduct stipulates in particular:
Member actions that may result in a fine and/or indefinite term
suspension or revocation of membership:Actions by a member of NASCAR that NASCAR deems detrimental to
stock car racing or NASCAR.
… Be charged with or convicted of significant criminal violations (e.g., domestic violence, trafficking, assault), or have been the subject of determinations made by criminal or civil authorities that, in the opinion of NASCAR, require a action. NASCAR will not prejudge guilt or innocence in the criminal or civil legal system, nor the guilt or innocence of the Member, but rather will consider each question in its own context and circumstances and with regard to its effects potential.
on sports.
According to a report filed by the Quintana Roo Attorney General’s Office, Busch was boarding a private plane with his wife when he was arrested by members of the Quintana Roo National Guard, Kickinthetires reported .net. This occurred after the information was “derived from direct reporting by private security personnel…responsible for guarding the FBO (Fixed Base Operator) terminal platform for private flights.”
This happened on January 27. Two days later, Busch “was brought before a judge.” Just because Busch is allowed to carry a gun in the United States does not mean he is allowed to carry a gun in Mexico.
On February 3, Busch was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison and fined the equivalent of $1,098 (20,748 pesos).
Busch did not say whether any type of restitution was paid to get the Mexican prison sentence dropped.
