Green Bay Packers lineman Rasheed Walker was arrested at LaGuardia after a handgun was found in his luggage, underscoring New York’s strict gun laws.
WEBDESK – Act Global Media – January 24, 2026
Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Rasheed Walker was arrested Friday morning at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport after authorities say a handgun and ammunition were found in his checked luggage, highlighting the sharp contrast between state gun laws and the legal risks facing travelers.
Walker, 25, was taken into custody just before 11 a.m. at Terminal C after he informed a Delta Air Lines employee that his bag contained a locked case holding a 9mm Glock pistol, according to a criminal complaint. Port Authority police were alerted and recovered the firearm along with 36 rounds of ammunition, prosecutors said.
The seventh-round draft pick, who joined the Packers in 2022, was charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm under New York law. He was later released on his own recognizance following his arraignment in Queens County Criminal Court and is due back in court on March 19.
Walker’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, said the gun is legally licensed in Wisconsin, where Walker plays and resides, and argued the arrest stemmed from a misunderstanding of New York’s strict firearms regulations.
“He disclosed the firearm at the airport and believed he was traveling lawfully because it was secured in a locked box,” Aidala said, adding that Walker did not realize that New York law differs significantly from that of other states. “We are confident the case will be dismissed.”
New York maintains some of the toughest gun laws in the country, and travelers have been arrested in similar circumstances even when firearms are legally owned elsewhere. Authorities have repeatedly warned that federal airline rules do not override state and local gun statutes.
The Packers have not publicly commented on Walker’s arrest. The incident comes as the NFL continues to emphasize off-field conduct, with legal issues often drawing league scrutiny even before cases are resolved.
For now, Walker remains free as the case proceeds. Still, the arrest serves as another reminder of how quickly legal trouble can arise when professional athletes cross state lines with regulated items.
