T.I.’s stepdaughter, Zonnique Pullins, speaks out after being arrested for bringing a gun to an airport, just one week ago.
In case you missed it, on June 16, the 20-year-old was apprehended at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta after a gun was found in her handbag. While Pullins has taken responsibility for the mishap, she tells PEOPLE, it was just an “honest mistake.”
“I know that’s really irresponsible on my part, but it was really just an honest mistake,” the “T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle” star tell PEOPLE. “I was at home, rushing to get to the airport, and I was throwing everything in my purse. The gun is really, really small. It looks like a toy gun. It was just at the bottom of my purse. When I went through security check, I was like ‘Oh I forgot it was in there.'”
According to reports, Pullins was in possession of a .380 Ruger semi-automatic pistol, which was discovered going through the x-ray machine. Although security immediately confiscated the weapon, Pullins admitted she was unaware of just how serious the situation would become.
“I thought maybe I would be able to go back to the car and put it in there or they’d be able to throw it away, but it was worse than I thought,” says Pullins, who is the daughter of Tiny Harris. “She called some police over and that’s when I thought, ‘Okay, it’s about to be serious.’ That’s when I called my mom and said, ‘I might have to go to jail tonight. Please help me.'”
In today’s unpredictable society, Pullins went on to stress the importance of a young woman having the means to protect herself — citing the tragic murder of “The Voice” alum Christina Grimmie. “I feel like I definitely have to stay safe – especially with me going around so much by myself,” said Pullins. “I’m not usually with anybody or security or anything, so I always feel like I have to keep myself safe. Then, with all the things going on, especially with Christina Grimmie, stuff like that.”
In case you were wondering how Pullins got her hands on the gun, the OMG alum revealed that her mother legally purchased the gun for her protection. “I just want her to be safe and feel safe at home by herself because if someone comes in or if something happens, she’s all alone, then what is she going to do?” said Tiny Harris.
Meanwhile, authorities have told Pullins she will likely get community service or be ordered to take a course (we imagine something along the lines of gun safety control) should the incident go to court. What are your thoughts on Pullins’ response to her arrest. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
