Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal took to Twitter to rant about the civilian use of military-grade weapons. The league's second-leading scorer initially reacted to a story of civilians ordering sandwiches at Subway while openly armed, only to expand on the subject on Tuesday.

Beal responded to a since-deleted tweet, acknowledging there is no need to carry these weapons into places of service just because the law allows it so.

Beal followed that with a bold statement:

https://twitter.com/RealDealBeal23/status/1260234074142248962

Beal's reaction seems to be aiming at a Saturday story of a group of 11 mostly-armed demonstrators that protested the stay-at-home order in Raleigh, North Carolina. They marched around downtown Raleigh and ordered sandwiches at a Subway while carrying their weapons into the store.

Article Continues Below
More Washington Wizards News
Three silhouettes in Wizards jerseys around 2025 NBA Draft logo
Washington Wizards’ 3 best options for No. 6 pick in 2025 NBA DraftJoshua Valdez ·
Will Dawkins and Michael Winger smile next to 2025 NBA Draft logo
The only blockbuster NBA Draft trade Wizards must pursueJoshua Valdez ·
Naz Reid playing for Timberwolves with T-Wolves logo in background.
Ranking 3 best Naz Reid free-agency destinations if he leaves TimberwolvesBailey Bassett ·
Kristaps Porzingis playing for the Wizards.
Wizards trade proposal for Kristaps Porzingis in offseason if Celtics shed salaryBailey Bassett ·
Washington Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr (20), guard Carlton Carrington (8) and Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner (21) watch for the rebound during the second half at Kia Center.
Wizards’ Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington make wild franchise history with All-Rookie nodsJoshua Valdez ·
image thumbnail
Warriors rumors: Brandin Podziemski trade proponents want a player more like Jordan PooleJulian Ojeda ·

Raleigh opened Phase 1 on Saturday, making it the first day businesses were able to soft-open for customers.

The photo on the left from photojournalist Travis Long features a man carrying an AT4 rocket launcher slung over his back with a sticker saying that read “inert” on it. That same man also carried two pistols in holsters on his waist, according to The News & Observer. The blonde on the right with a scarf face-covering carried a pump-action shotgun.

Those photos were soon meme-fied, replacing the weaponry with giant sub sandwiches and mocking the act of open carrying in the midst of a pandemic:

“But also because the absurdity of protesting public orders meant to protect ALL people from a virus is only matched by the absurdity of bringing giant guns into the situation,” Nina, the maker of the meme told The News & Observer in an email. “We can’t shoot the virus and make it go away, so giant subs are just as useless as their giant guns.”

The Wizards star likely has a similar point of view on the situation, hence the choice to take the conversation to Twitter while the NBA is still at a halt.