Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Rasheed Walker was arrested at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport on gun charges after attempting to check a bag containing a firearm and ammunition, according to sources and court details.
The 25-year-old Walker, a starting left tackle for the Packers, was taken into custody on Friday morning in Terminal C, just before 11 a.m. Port Authority police responded after Walker disclosed to a Delta Air Lines employee that his checked bag contained a locked box with a 9mm Glock pistol and 36 rounds of ammunition.
Officers searched the bag and confirmed the presence of the firearm and ammo inside the locked case. Walker was subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of criminal possession of a firearm.
New York State’s strict gun laws prohibit possession of firearms without the appropriate local permit, even for out-of-state residents, which appears to be the basis for the charges despite the weapon being legally licensed in Wisconsin, where Walker resides during the season.
Walker was released on his own recognizance following arraignment in Queens County Criminal Court. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 19.
His attorney, Arthur Aidala, defended the incident, stating that the firearm was legally owned and licensed in Wisconsin. Aidala emphasized that Walker had placed the gun in a locked box and proactively disclosed it to airline staff, adding that Walker was unaware he could not transport it into New York under state regulations. The lawyer expressed confidence that the case would ultimately be dismissed.
Walker, a seventh-round draft pick by the Packers in 2022, has developed into a key starter on the offensive line. No immediate statement was available from the Green Bay Packers organization regarding the arrest or any potential team discipline.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges for travelers navigating varying state firearm transportation laws, particularly when passing through jurisdictions with stringent regulations like New York. Federal rules allow checked firearms in locked containers if properly declared to airlines, but local laws can still lead to charges upon discovery.
This arrest comes amid a busy NFL offseason period, with Walker set to become a pending free agent. Further developments in the case are expected as proceedings continue.
