WASHINGTON — Suspended Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas says in an op-ed piece written for The Washington Post that he now understands "guns and violence are serious problems, not joking matters."

The piece was posted on the newspaper's Web site Monday.

Arenas pledges to be a better role model and says a "message of nonviolence will be front and center as I try to rebuild my relationship with young people."

He says he gave NBA commissioner David Stern reason to give him a season-ending suspension for bringing guns into the locker room and for making light of the situation. Arenas acknowledges he damaged "the image of the NBA and its players."

Arenas pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license. He is scheduled to be sentenced March 26.