Posted on 12/21/2011 12:42:42 PM PST by freespirited
Tea Party Patriots co-founder Mark Meckler was arrested at an airport in New York City on Thursday after he attempted to check-in a locked gun box holding his Glock 27 pistol and ammunition to a Delta Air Lines ticket agent.
According to authorities and his attorney, Meckler, 49, holds a concealed-carry permit for the Glock 27 pistol at home in California, but not in New York where he was attempting to board the plane. As a result, he was arrested and charged with a felony.
Before leaving home, passengers should acquaint themselves with the weapon laws of the jurisdiction that they are visiting and comply with any and all legal requirements if they choose to travel with a weapon, Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said.
Otherwise, they may find themselves being arrested and charged with a felony as is what occurred in this case, he said.
Attorney Brian Stapleton of Goldberg, Segalla, LLP said Meckler was only attempting to follow TSA rules for checking in a firearm when he was arrested.
While in temporary transit through the state of New York in possession of an unloaded, lawful firearm that was locked in a TSA-approved safe, he legally declared his possession of the firearm in his checked baggage at the ticket counter as required by law and in a manner approved by TSA and the airline, yet was arrested by port authority for said possession, Stapleton said.
Meckler was arraigned Thursday in Queens Criminal Court and charged with second degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class C felony.
Meckler was released Thursday. He has a court date set for Jan. 12, 2012.
Brown said Meckler, a well-known person in the tea party movement, told authorities he keeps the pistol with him because he gets threats.
This sounds like non-sense...? I you attempt to transport a item that is restricted you get arrested?
Wasn’t there a law passed a few years ago that explicitly protected travelers in this sort of situation?
Sorry mis-read the post. Technically, I guess he would be guilty.
Targeted arrest.
It’s purely political. NYC is a police state.
If you offend the authorities, they find a way to arrest you.
America the free!
As long as you abide by the 908,000 laws.
This does not apply to the millions of innocent, hard working illegal aliens.
It’s simple don’t fly Delta airlines. I had a similar problem 2 years ago while flying with Delta where the agent contacted the Police when I declared a firearm to have me investigated to determine if I legally possessed the firearm I declared. I haven’t flown Delta since.
Should NYC be allowed to restrict freedom of speech?
So, apparently since it was in a case and in his luggage, it was determined to be a “concealed weapon” for which he does not have a permit in NY?
How does the State deal with hunters who transport their long-guns in cases?
Thanks Delta Airlines.
There are another 127 laws which address that.
Just go along with it.
<< This sounds like nonsense...? I you attempt to transportan item that is restricted you get arrested? >>
It’s common practice in New York to make these kinds of arrests. Airlines are required to contact the NY cops when they find any gun in luggage. If that person does not have a New York permit, they are arrested.
The most egregious case I am aware of invovled someone whose plane was diverted because of weather and they were bussed into NYC from another state (PA if I recall) to catch another plane. Because he had to recheck his luggage in New York, he was arrested on a felony.
Sounds like a good case for jury nullification that was discussed elsewhere today.
The 1986 firearms owner’s protection act. Not that the antis pay much attention to it.
Occupy Wall Street protester jailed on gun possession charge
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/occupy_wall_street_protester_jailed_bElfY7oir3pq48GWtq3KvN#ixzz1hCk172Xn
Before issuing press releases you ought to read the U.S. Constitution!
One would hope that eventually someone will be able to bring this before the higher courts and restrict New York and New Jersey from these illegal arrests.
When guns are outlawed, only the Government and outlaws will have guns.
Nothing much new in communists America. Closing down our freedoms have been going on for many years. We are fast becoming slaves of the State.
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