Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
If you ever needed a clean, real-world example of how broken New York’s gun laws are, this is it.
Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Rasheed Walker was arrested at LaGuardia Airport after doing exactly what responsible gun owners are told to do: he declared a legally owned firearm in his checked luggage.
The gun was lawfully owned in Wisconsin.
It was locked in a gun case.
It was declared to the airline.
And that was enough for New York to slap the cuffs on him anyway.
According to reports, Walker informed a Delta Airlines employee that he had a firearm and ammunition in his checked bag while checking in for his flight. His attorney later explained that Walker didn’t realize New York treats lawful travelers like criminals the moment they cross state lines.
In most of America, this interaction ends with paperwork and a boarding pass. In New York, it ends with an arrest.
That’s not a mistake on Walker’s part. It’s a feature of New York’s system.
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Under the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986 (FOPA), interstate travelers are supposed to be protected when transporting firearms legally from one place where they’re lawful to another.
New York has spent decades pretending that law doesn’t exist, and airports like LaGuardia and JFK have become infamous trapdoors for otherwise law-abiding gun owners.
CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb was miffed, calling the arrest another example of New York’s “irrational” and “regressive” gun laws. He’s not wrong.
This is about bureaucratic hostility toward the Second Amendment. Hostility so aggressive that it ensnares people who are actively trying to follow the rules.
Walker is scheduled to appear in court on March 19, and his attorney expects the case to be dismissed. That’s usually how these stories end. Charges dropped. Case tossed. No apology. No consequences for the state. Just another reminder that in New York, the process is the punishment.
Traveling gun owners take note: in New York, doing the right thing can still make you the criminal.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
Experience:
– Licensed Bowhunter, Hunter, and Trapper – Experienced in ethical hunting and wildlife conservation.
– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
– Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Certified to provide emergency medical care in the field.
– Field-Tested Gear Reviewer – Hands-on experience with firearms, optics, and hunting tech.