New York, NY (Sportsbooks) -
New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress surrendered to authorities on Monday and was arraigned on a pair of weapons charges after accidentally shooting himself at a Manhattan night club over the weekend.
Burress could face at least 3 1/2 years in jail on each count.
Bail was set at $100,000, and Burress is scheduled to return to court March 31.
Burress, who spent a night in a hospital after suffering the gunshot wound early Saturday morning, reported to the New York Police Department's 17th precinct Monday without speaking to the media. He was later transported to Manhattan Criminal Court in handcuffs.
New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg also had an opinion Monday and said Burress should not be handled with kid gloves.
"If you carry a loaded handgun, you get automatically 3 1/2 years in the slammer," Bloomberg stated. "I don't think that anybody should be exempt from that, and I think it would be an outrage if we don't prosecute to the fullest extent of the law."
According to a New York Times report, Burress apparently went to a club on Friday with teammates Antonio Pierce and Derrick Ward. The gun became loose and fired a round, and Burress was accidentally shot in the thigh.
The Times report cited a criminal complaint that included a witness hearing a "pop" before hearing Burress say, "Take me to the hospital."
Burress had already been ruled out of Sunday's game against Washington because of a hamstring injury. He could soon face discipline from the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
For the season, Burress has 35 receptions for 454 yards with four touchdowns.
There have been reports that the Giants may place Burress on the non-football injury list, which would end his season.
It's been a whirlwind few months for Burress, who signed a contract extension just before the team's season-opener against the Redskins in September. He went on to register 10 catches for 133 yards against Washington, but his numbers have dropped considerably in the face of double teams, a suspension and injury.
Burress was suspended one game in October for violating team rules, held out of the starting lineup against Pittsburgh for missing a treatment session and fined by the league for verbally abusing an official.
