Rasheed Walker thought he was following the rules. The Green Bay Packers offensive lineman walked up to the Delta Air Lines counter at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. He told the agent he had a firearm in his luggage, just as he was supposed to do.
The gun was locked in a hard case. It was packed away in his checked bag. He legally owns the weapon in Wisconsin.
But instead of boarding his flight, Walker ended up in handcuffs.
This incident has once again put a spotlight on the confusing and strict difference between federal travel rules and New York state law.
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According to reports, Walker was arrested simply for possessing the gun without a New York permit. While declaring a firearm is standard procedure at airports across most of the United States, New York law is different.
In New York, if you do not have a license issued specifically by the state or city, you generally cannot touch or possess a handgun, even if you are just trying to leave town.
Walker’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, spoke to the New York Post, explaining that his client had no idea he was breaking the law. Aidala emphasized that Walker wasn’t trying to hide anything; he was trying to do the right thing by declaring the weapon.
The arrest drew immediate criticism from gun rights advocates who feel the state’s laws trap well-meaning citizens.
Alan Gottlieb, the chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA), released a strong statement defending the NFL player. He called the situation a “legal nightmare” for a citizen who was actually obeying the rules of declaring a firearm.
“Virtually anywhere else in the country, Mr. Walker could legally travel with his firearm by declaring it at check-in,” Gottlieb said. He argued that New York treats traveling gun owners like criminals.
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Gottlieb also pointed to a federal law from 1986 called the Firearm Owner’s Protection Act. This law was designed to protect travelers passing through states with firearms, but New York authorities often enforce local laws strictly against those who stop in the state.
Critics like Gottlieb believe New York legislators are ignoring recent Supreme Court rulings that support gun ownership. He stated that the charges against Walker “should never have been brought in the first place.”
Walker is scheduled to appear in court on March 19. His lawyer is confident that the case will be dismissed given the circumstances. For now, the incident serves as a harsh warning to travelers: what is legal in Wisconsin might land you in jail in New York.
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