Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Tea Party Patriots leader arrested at airport for checking in lawful pistol
Daily Caller ^ | 12/19/11 | Alex Pappas

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.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: banglist; markmeckler
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-47 next last

1 posted on 12/21/2011 12:42:43 PM PST by freespirited
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: freespirited

This sounds like non-sense...? I you attempt to transport a item that is restricted you get arrested?


2 posted on 12/21/2011 12:47:48 PM PST by Leep
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

Wasn’t there a law passed a few years ago that explicitly protected travelers in this sort of situation?


3 posted on 12/21/2011 12:50:41 PM PST by DuncanWaring (The Lord uses the good ones; the bad ones use the Lord.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Leep

Sorry mis-read the post. Technically, I guess he would be guilty.


4 posted on 12/21/2011 12:51:07 PM PST by Leep
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

Targeted arrest.


5 posted on 12/21/2011 12:51:11 PM PST by Old Sarge (RIP FReeper Skyraider (1930-2011) - You Are Missed)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Leep

It’s purely political. NYC is a police state.

If you offend the authorities, they find a way to arrest you.


6 posted on 12/21/2011 12:52:09 PM PST by Jewbacca (The residents of Iroquois territory may not determine whether Jews may live in Jerusalem.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Leep

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.


7 posted on 12/21/2011 12:52:29 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

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.


8 posted on 12/21/2011 12:52:52 PM PST by JohnKinAK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Leep

Should NYC be allowed to restrict freedom of speech?


9 posted on 12/21/2011 12:53:50 PM PST by surfer (To err is human, to really foul things up takes a Democrat, don't expect the GOP to have the answer!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

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?


10 posted on 12/21/2011 12:53:59 PM PST by Cletus.D.Yokel (Catastrophic Anthropogenic Climate Alterations - The acronym explains the science.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

Thanks Delta Airlines.


11 posted on 12/21/2011 12:54:22 PM PST by muddler (Chaos is coming.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cletus.D.Yokel
How does the State deal with hunters who transport their long-guns in cases?

There are another 127 laws which address that.

Just go along with it.

12 posted on 12/21/2011 12:55:58 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Leep

<< 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.


13 posted on 12/21/2011 12:56:41 PM PST by Klaatu Barada Nikto
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Klaatu Barada Nikto

Sounds like a good case for jury nullification that was discussed elsewhere today.


14 posted on 12/21/2011 12:58:37 PM PST by BigEdLB (Now there ARE 1,000,000 regrets - but it may be too late.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: DuncanWaring

The 1986 firearms owner’s protection act. Not that the antis pay much attention to it.


15 posted on 12/21/2011 12:59:32 PM PST by El Laton Caliente (NRA Life Member & www.Gunsnet.net Moderator)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

Occupy Wall Street protester jailed on gun possession charge
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/occupy_wall_street_protester_jailed_bElfY7oir3pq48GWtq3KvN#ixzz1hCk172Xn


16 posted on 12/21/2011 1:01:09 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (You can't invade the US. There'd be a rifle behind every blade of grass.~Admiral Yamamoto)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

Before issuing press releases you ought to read the U.S. Constitution!


17 posted on 12/21/2011 1:06:04 PM PST by G Larry ("I dream of a day when a man is judged by the content of his Character.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Leep
Special Advisory for New York and New Jersey Airports: Despite federal law that protects travelers, authorities at JFK, La Guardia, Newark and Albany airports have been known to enforce state and local firearms laws against airline travelers who are merely passing through the jurisdiction. In some cases, even persons traveling in full compliance with federal law have been arrested or threatened with arrest. As noted above in the section entitled "Federal Law on the Transportation of Firearms," FOPA`s protections have been substantially narrowed by court decisions, and persons traveling with firearms may want to avoid New York and New Jersey or make arrangements to ship their firearms to their destination, rather than bringing them through these jurisdictions.

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.

18 posted on 12/21/2011 1:09:08 PM PST by kingu (Everything starts with slashing the size and scope of the federal government.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

When guns are outlawed, only the Government and outlaws will have guns.


19 posted on 12/21/2011 1:10:17 PM PST by Venturer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

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.


20 posted on 12/21/2011 1:10:56 PM PST by Logical me
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-47 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson