Rangers winger Artemi Panarin was fined for firing a gun in an unauthorized area in his native Russia, according to a report.
Panarin, 31, had a gun confiscated from him after shooting the weapon illegally on July 6, and he was fined 40,000 Rubles (roughly $406), the Novgorod Gazette reported.
The Rangers star had been found to have committed “a gross violation of public safety, threatening the life and health of citizens,” according to the outlet.
“The Borovichi District Court found him guilty of committing an accident,” according to the report.
Panarin pleaded guilty, though he does have the ability to appeal if he should choose to do so.
It’s not the first time Panarin has found himself in controversy in his home nation.
Panarin, during the 2020-21 season, was accused of assaulting an 18-year-old Latvian woman while he played in the KHL in 2011.
The allegations were believed to be politically motivated after Panarin expressed support publicly for Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
He took a 2 ¹/₂ week-long absence from the Rangers in the wake of the report.
The Post spoke with five of Panarin’s KHL teammates when the allegations came to light, and none of them could recall the alleged incident.
Both the Rangers and Panarin denied the allegations.
“This is clearly an intimidation tactic being used against him for being outspoken on recent political events,” part of a team statement read.
Panarin is coming off a season when he recorded 92 points (29 goals, 63 assists) in 82 regular season games with the Rangers.
He struggled in the playoffs, putting up just two points — both assists — during New York’s first-round series loss to the Devils.
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