MARCH 27: Walker said (via ESPN’s David Newton) the gun charge will be dismissed. His attention will be fully aimed at acclimating to his new team and potentially operating as a starter for a portion of the 2026 campaign.
MARCH 21: In January, Rasheed Walker was arrested at LaGuardia Airport after he attempted to check an unloaded handgun without the necessary paperwork. That resulted in charges on two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon along with criminal possession of a firearm. 
After Walker was released on his own recognizance, a court date was set for March 19. A pretrial diversion program in this case has been offered and accepted, Joe Person of The Athletic writes. As a result, Walker’s charges will be cleared provided he avoids any further arrests in the next six months.
At the time of his arrest, the 26-year-old was unaware of the fact he could not travel with his firearm – which is registered in Wisconsin – to New York without the required credentials for inspection at the airport. Walker’s agent declined to comment on the latest development in the case, one which will eliminate the possibility of any potential league discipline stemming from the original arrest. League spokesman Brian McCarthy also declined to comment on the matter.
Despite his age and experience on the blindside (48 starts), Walker’s free agent market did not develop as planned. The former Packer took a one-year Panthers contract with a base value of $4MM. Incentives can push the deal’s maximum value to $10MM, and playing time early in the season is likely with incumbent left tackle Ikem Ekwonu continuing a lengthy recovery from knee surgery.
When speaking to the media earlier this week, Panthers general manager Dan Morgan noted the team did its homework on Walker’s arrest before signing him. That suggested no league discipline would be forthcoming, and this latest update thus comes as no surprise. Barring any further legal issues, Walker will be able to fully focus his attention on training camp in advance of his debut Carolina season.
“He was not aware he couldn’t travel with his firearm”
If dumb was a felony, he’d be in jail.
It was not a carry on, it was in checked luggage. This is something you can do as long as it’s unloaded, locked, and declared. But apparently not to the Peoples Republic of New York. Another reason why I don’t travel to that state.
Why does anyone need to take a gun on a plane?
So you have a gun at your destination. Some people do concealed carry. Some people go target shooting. Some people go hunting. There are numerous lawful reasons to do so. I’ve done it many times.
Well, he obviously hasn’t done it “many times”. The dumb part is taking a gun onto a plane- without even checking on the rules?? Good lord.
Different states have different rules. It’s hard to keep up with them all. If you’re flying and have lay overs you’re talking about 3 or so state rules. Are you under the assumption you’re capable of following all state rules exactly as specified while traveling via plane? Cause I guarantee you you wouldn’t be able to do so yourself.
In Massachusetts, firearms in vehicles must generally be unloaded and locked in a secure container, such as a trunk or locked glove box, unless the driver holds a Class A License to Carry (LTC). Licensed carriers may have loaded, under-control handguns, but high-capacity weapons must still be secured. Non-residents must follow strict transport rules, as MA does not recognize other states’ permits.
New York gun laws strictly regulate transporting firearms in vehicles, generally requiring them to be unloaded, locked in a hard-sided container, and out of sight. No permits from other states are recognized, making it illegal for non-residents to carry handguns in cars without a New York permit. NYC has stricter restrictions.
So if I am driving on a road trip its legal for me to carry my unloaded gun in a glove box per state law in MA. Soon as I cross over to NY state lines I can be arrested and possibly charged with a felony for keeping said gun in a glove box because its not contained within a hard sided container thats locked, even though its
1. unloaded
2. out of my reach in a locked glove box
No, New York State law does not allow “glove box guns.” Under state law, a glove compartment or console is explicitly not considered a safe or legal storage spot for a firearm in a vehicle. When left in an unattended vehicle, guns must be unloaded and locked in a fire, impact, and tamper-resistant container.
Hunting trip?
You really asking that?
Well the question was
Why does anyone need to take a gun on a plane?
Hunting Trip? would be my guess
I think that perhaps rondon possibly could have been referring to the cabin of the plane, in which case no firearms at all are allowed for passengers. Y’all are referring to having firearms in carry on, which is allowed with proper storage.
In Walker’s case, it appears that he did not ever have the handgun on his person or in the cabin. His issue was that, after the trip was complete, he did what most passengers flying with guns do and went to retrieve it from the secured baggage area. Walker either did not have a permit from New York, or a permit at all, and as such was arrested.
As for my opinion (which everyone clamored for, I know)? It’s worth noting that New York’s gun laws are unusually strict (there are a growing number of states that are on a similar level of strictness), so it is not unusual that Walker was not familiar with NY gun permit restrictions (essentially that NY does not recognize outside permits). Ignorance of the law is not defense from enforcement, though.
By the letter of the law, he certainly was in violation (unless one makes an argument as to constructive possession not being met for a bag that never entered Walker’s physical possession or area of control-seems like seizure would be much more easily enforced than a citation for something that he never ended up possessing in the place where it was actually illegal). Ultimately, it is Walker’s responsibility to familiarize himself with NY gun laws, but it’s certainly easy to have sympathy for him, as he did attempt to do the right thing (we often see people who don’t even make that attempt).
The diversion program should ensure that he doesn’t suffer long term consequences, but it sucks in my view that he has to use it (normally these things are one time use, like one use get out of jail free cards) and had to be arrested for this. Field booking (which is writing a citation and releasing the defendant to come to court later, ala a traffic ticket) is not appropriate in most crimes, but in this case, there is a defendant is trying to comply with the law and made a mistake. He has a high chance, due to his profile, to show up in court or to send an attourney in his place. The fact that a diversion program was offered makes it seem like the charge was not high level (on this, I am purely speculating-someone more familiar with New York procedures can certainly correct this). It seems to me that this is one of those few cases where the gun could have seized and Walker given a citation to appear later in court, rather than to be arrested. That’s just my opinion.
If people are genuinely attempting to comply with the law but made a mistake, I try to enable or encourage that. That doesn’t mean ignoring the offense-absolutely not. But it just feels to me, as a definite outsider, that Walker was trying to do the right thing and just made a costly mistake.
What a stupid reason not to travel to NY. 😂
I normally would refrain from commenting on another state’s laws or practices, but a perhaps a New Yorker with some legal experience can educate me. Is this charge a must-arrest charge? A pre-trial diversion program suggests that it is a low level misdemeanor (or whatever its proper terminology is in N.Y.), and it seems like a summons could have been issued instead. I’m unfamiliar with New York’s practices, however, so this may not be possible.
The reason that I would inquire as to this is that it seems like Walker did try to transport his gun legally and made a mistake, rather than intending to conceal it or avoiding the process altogether. I’m glad that it (seemingly) won’t affect his record, due to the diversion program, but it seems to me that a summons and a fine or something similar could have eliminated the need for a trip to jail or the program being entered. Again, I am unfamiliar with the norms there, so this may be out of bounds entirely.
We should probably be asking why the state of New Jersey hasn’t arrested the Giants and Jets for impersonating a professional football team 🙂
It sounds bad until you learn the Diversion Program meets at Foxies Gentleman’s Club, Has a free all you can eat buffet, and just bring singles to ” Make it rain”. Afterwards complimentary photo’s and Lap Dances for all. Just stay away from the Tuna Fish surprise.
I’m not getting this. Two counts? And how is this criminal possession if it’s registered? Seems a bit over the top.
“That resulted in charges on two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon along with criminal possession of a firearm.”
Places added credence on thoughts to avoid airports, commercial aircraft and all the paranoia related therein. Just drive baby or take a bus, be like John Madden!
Arthur Aidala, Walker’s attorney, explained that Walker legally owned the firearm but that it is licensed in Wisconsin, and he didn’t know that he couldn’t travel with the gun to New York. It was actually Walker’s attempt to disclose the contents of the locked gun box in his luggage that led to his arrest.
Walker was charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm.
Such a hardened criminal doing the responsible thing attempting to disclose the gun and ammo in his luggage. Throw the book at him.
He tried to do everything legal and I do agree he was trying to be responsible but needed to take one more step and check. We can talk about stupid or good laws but it is state law and should have been checked.
Im not gonna say state laws are stupid or good
I will say states do a poor job ensuring people outside said state understand the laws clear as day
Like if you’re gonna have strict gun laws that’s your decision as a state. But it’s also your responsibility and your duty as part of this nation to ensure any one traveling to your state can easily follow your laws as you decide them
Like why can’t states go through airlines and during booking a flight ask questions like what do you plan to bring with you and link to appropriate forms to fill out along with a one page follow the rules for said items
I have never flown with a gun to New York myself, but after reading article I simply googled New York state laws for concealed weapon permit from another state….got answer within seconds. Wasn’t hard st all. The information is not hard to find. His only mistake really was not looking.
It’s actually quite difficult to find
You used a summarized AI version. Did you actually read all the laws and make sure you followed them all as they are written not interpreted by a third party? Doubtful
You read
Section 265.01 D criminal possession of a firearm in a restricted location (airport)
Section 265.01 E criminal possession firearm in a sensitive location (airport)
Section 265.07 registration and serialization
Along with sections
10 transportation
15 possession
20 exemptions
37 unlawful possession of certain mods and ammo capacity
45 incorrect storage
Really? In your quick little google search you made sure you’re following all those laws according to the New York State senate to the letter of the law huh impressive
Mind explaining in detail punishment for each section is since you know you read them thoroughly and know them so well
Wow..you need to get a hobby dude. All you need to answer is a simple answer from google on what he did wrong.
You know nothing about me but you want to pick a fight..I have better things to do than argue with people on here. I pointed out a simple fact that is answered on Google. Listen slowly….ask google what did he do wrong?
So you didn’t read them individually yourself.
Wow dude. Thought you said this was easy?
“ All you need to answer is a simple answer from google on what he did wrong.”
Topic of discussion wasn’t what Walker specifically did wrong. Topic of discussion was states that have strict gun laws make it hard for everyone to follow said laws as they are written you actually proved my point for me.
“ I will say states do a poor job ensuring people outside said state understand the laws clear as day”
“ You know nothing about me but you want to pick a fight..”
You claimed to know the laws as they were written. You for caught with your pants down when actually confronted with said laws. You got nobody to blame but yourself on that one
Googling “what did Rasheed Walker do wrong” isn’t the same as googling “what are NYs entire list of rules for bringing a gun from a different state”
If you’re flying into NY with a gun are you gonna trust Google and some third party interpretation when felony charges, arrest, fines, and jail time is on the table? Lmao no. No you would not cause you’d be dumb to do so
FYI, there’s different rules for handguns rifles shotguns
Along with rules for firing mechanisms bolt action pump action automatic semi automatic
Along with different rules on ammunition type
Along with different rules for modifications like cartridge size, length,
Along with different rules for safe secure
Storing
All of which could result in misdemeanor/felony charges fines jail time if not followed directly.
Hawktattoo didn’t read the actual laws so doubt they’re actually aware about such things like these
NY gun laws are a joke and virtually impossible to comply with, which is their intention, to make sure you can’t possibly own a gun legally. He had a properly registered gun and was transporting it the proper way, he just made the mistake of traveling to a looney tune state run by idiots.
Our “looney state” pays a lot of the bills for states with the most lax gun laws. And I know several New York gun owners. None of them cry about the gun laws here a fraction as much as online gun nuts who never even set foot here.
Your looney toon state pays for the bills of what states, exactly,, jump up lap dog and tell me what that even means.
You know several gun owners… you don’t.
They don’t complain about gun laws? Is it possible that they have never actually legally owned a firearm in the other 35 states that don’t suck? Also the jets are garbage
lol. Poor Sniffy. Maybe one day the Bills will win something more than the division and you’ll cheer up.
Bark bark… here is a treat
He made the mistake of checking to see what he needed to bring into the state. A quick and simple google look up makes it very clear.
different rules for handguns rifles shotguns
Along with rules for firing mechanisms bolt action pump action automatic semi automatic
Along with different rules on ammunition type
Along with different rules for modifications like cartridge size, length,
Along with different rules for safe secure
Storing
Along with proper registration paperwork
All of which could result in misdemeanor/felony charges fines jail time if not followed directly.
“ A quick and simple google look up makes it very clear.”
No no it does not lmao. No matter how many times you say it you’re wrong. A quick and simple google search doesn’t ensure you’re following everything listed above, including ones I forgot to mention.