Mark Meckler, the co-founder of Tea Party Patriots, a group that supports conservative candidates and values, was arrested on federal charges after he took a gun to LaGuardia Airport on Thursday.
The incident unfolded when the conservative leader attempted to check in for a Delta flight to Detroit. Prosecutors say that Meckler, 49, had a locked gun box, which contained a Glock pistol and 19 cartridges of ammunition, in his luggage. According to Politico, Meckler had been in New York since last Sunday. He told police that he carries the gun because he receives threats.
While Meckler did declare the gun at the airline ticket counter, as required, New York City has strict rules on concealed weapons. While he is licensed to carry in Grass Valley, California, he does not have the same ability to carry in New York. In this instance, it appears Meckler had a fundamental misunderstanding of the legalities involved in carrying between states.
“He didn’t have a correct understanding of the law,” confirmed Al Della Fave, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “Though he has a permit to carry in California, that did not cover him in the state of New York.”
As a result, he spent a day in jail and has been released. While the charge against him could lead to prison time (Daily Intel reports that it could be up to 15 years), people in similar situations typically only face fines. Politico has more:
The tea party leader’s lawyer argued that he was “in temporary transit through the State of New York in possession of an unloaded, lawful firearm,” and that Mr. Meckler had been fully compliant with all laws, according to the New York Times.
Meckler was arraigned on charges of second degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony that could carry up to fifteen years in prison. He was released pending a Jan. 12 court date.
Read More at The Blaze By Billy Hallowell, The Blaze
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The ink has not dryed and it start already!
He declared the gun ,which is more then our DOJ did when they sent guns over the border to Mexico ,with no way to trace them. One US agent , Brian Terry, paid with his life for the mistake of Fast and Furious program sanctioned by the Government . Its obvious that they will make an example of this man who is a Tea Party founder, while denying their glaring errors.
It is up to us who concealed carry to KNOW the laws of states where we intend to travel. Many States have reciprocity agreements…The map is very clear on which states are in and which are out…He thought he could beat the law, though he had to know it!! He lost!!
WHAT 2ND AMENDMENT! WERE LIVING THE NIGHTMARE OF THE "USSA" WHERE IT'S BECOME THE LAND OF THE FREE IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT OR ARE PROPERLY CONNECTED.
THEIR IS NO SENSE IN HAVING LEGAL CARRY IN ONE STATE AND NOT IN ANOTHER. NEXT THING WOULD BE TO CONFISCATE ANY CAR FROM NEW YORK SINCE IT DOESN'T MEET CALIFORNIA'S LAWS.
ARMED FEDS MOVE FREELY AROUND THE COUNTRY WITHOUT ANY REGARD FOR CONCEALED CARRY LAWS. MORE DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO GOVERNMENT PROMOTION OF ANARCHY.
Only outlaws can carry them.
and they do.
Let us not forget his location of this demise,nor his position and party of representation politically and what is the majority of New York,New Jersey 1) leftist Commie democrats 2) Thug mafia (union) bosses 3) Where is OWS operating now? 4) One of the US capitals of murders and muggings bye gun! Does this in any way sound like a political exercise to discredit or perhaps force some form of submission!? These are States that cannot control their own or take care of issues without underhanded subversive actions!
Only outlaws carry guns ? Not true.Law abiding citizens obtain permits to carry.These people are not a threat to society.Outlaws obtain firearms illegally to cause harm to society as in Fast & Furious cases.Thank you holder,for putting Americans at risk.Some of the F&F guns have already been a part of crime in AZ.
Bloomburg will make a big deal of this.He is a gun grabber.He stuck his nose in AZ. law by sending his goons to AZ. on 2 different occasions attempting to buy guns illegally a few years ago.He failed on both attempts.One has to wonder how many of his prized illegal aliens own guns illegally?
I suppose BLOOMBERG will make a SCAPEGOAT of the TEA PARTY FOUNDER.
I will feel blessed when it comes time to send FLOWERS in respect for MR. ANTI-GUN BLOOMBERG.
You got it my friend or they will take large sums of money to get him out from under this and you can bet it will be greater than a few thousand dollars!
They know he is not a dangerous person, just something to harrass him. New York! They ought to send all the illegals there.
Lets not forget Chicago where the baffoon obama hails from for his political status. Another criminal center of this Country!
No Jimmy, they not out to harrass him…As a Concealed Carry, we have to know which States have reciprocity agreements, He knew NY did not, but tried to carry anyway, thinking he could "beat the system" and lost!! It's his own damn fault…we travel nowhere with our guns, not knowing the laws in adjoining States!! Easy Access info!!
This is harassment, pure and simple. He tried to jump through all the hoops (more than I would have done). To keep and bear arms is not just a God-given right, but it is guaranteed by the Constitution. Therefore New York has no right to make any laws against keeping and bearing arms. A close reading of the Bill of Rights shows this. And, to think this was on Bill of Rights Day (or close to it)!
He did declare the gun at the ticket counter which is all he should have had to do to make sure of compliance with airline policies. This is not a free country any more. The government is infringing on the rights of individuals and businesses. I proudly support Ron Paul, who began the Tea Party in the first place.
The Rotten Apple has had its SULLIVAN LAW for years and it is interesting to learn from the legalistic
point of view whather it collides with the 2md. Ammendment to the Constitution and whch is the one
that overrules the other….
In the meantime, hoodlums have no trouble getting whatever weapons they want and only a law
abiding citizen, complying with regulations other than the DEMOCRAPS determination to disarm
the people, gets the book thrown at him, while the Attorney General laughs at Congress and dares
it to impeach him….
Good title for that scum bag of a State! And I am not necessarily referring to all of it's Citizenry,just a faily large portion of them!
So right! One by one our "rights' are being taken away. That's the way socialism starts. Next add the muslim threat to take over the world and kill anyone who is not muslim and you can see our future unless the people of the United States band together and say “NO MORE”. Remember there is nothing religious about the muslims – it is a threat to take over and rule the world. We are too political correct for our own good. We need to start doing what’s right, not what ‘s political correct right now or we are doomed.
Bet if he was living in a tent, smoking pot, raping, throwing garbage all over the streets, urinating on police cars, harassing the police and shutting businesses down, he would have been able to carry any type weapon he wanted to.
We all should start carrying !!!!!!!!!
most do
My sons and I already do. My husband has decided not to. I would recommend you get your permit, even if you chose not to carry. One day they are going to try to stop permits from being issued, but it will be more difficult to remove those that have been grandfathered in.
Obviously new york is under the misassumption that 'legislated law' somehow supersedes CONSTITUTIONAL LAW". The Constitution does not "GRANT" the Right To Keep And Bear Arms" it merely GUARANTEES the Right to be sacrosanct from corrupt bureaucrats and politicians.
If one has permission to carry in one state, it should extend in all states. I am surprised he was not aware of the difference from state to state. Even I am aware that there is this "difference." I do not believe he should have been arrested!!! Where is the common sense—on "vacation" I suspect. He declared the gun in the locked case right up front @ the counter. There should be no prison time & no fine. Give him a copy of the New York law & request a signature after he has read it. I wonder how much the fine would be, if that is his fate.
Their are several books available that will enlighten one on what States you can and cannot have a weapon when passing through or moving. Read one story of man leaving NEW JERSEY and he even got all of the information about how to transport his weapon when leaving and he adhered to their information and was still arrested and one of the Gun Advocate Groups paid for his defense and won so to speak! He was fined $15,000 dollars anyway even in winning the case! It is utterly absurd how these Democratic leftist Socialistic Commies get away with the things that they do! BUT REMEMBER WE ARE FREE OR NOT!
WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE CENSOR THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THIS ARTICLE, i THINK HE IS A SOCIALISTIC LEFTIST PLANT!
I LOVE YOU TOO ADMINISTRATOR AND YOU ARE A REAL SLEEZEBALL!
HERE IS A LITTLE POEM FOR YOU ADMINISTRATOR " ROSES ARE RED VIOLETS ARE BLUE AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED YOU CAN GO GET SCREWED!
This is rediculous. Just because he is a known Tea Party member. they make such a big deal out of his carrying a locked up gun in a locked down box. with a concealed weapon permit from California, while our own gov't goes about selling weapons to the drug cartels across our borders killing hundreds of people and a border patrol agent and they don't even get called on the carpet or fired or impeached. they won't spend any time in jail. nor will they loose their jobs over their criminal offences…yet this man might get 15 years. How mixed up and sick is our law enforcement rules and regulations? they seem to be FOR the criminal, yet AGAINST the common citizen of our Nation. What a sick oximoron this whole mess is.
Yes, The fox OWNS the chicken coop now.
This is obama backers way of discrediting at its best! What do you think the original purpose of Fast and Furious was about? It was an attempt to discredit the second amendment and give obama and his cronies a point of attack to have the law against private citizens bearing any arms!
If he was a member of the Black Panthers Eric Holder would pardon him!
Ridiculous. He has the RIGHT to keep and bear arms and that RIGHT shall not be infringed!!!!! A counter-suit for millions is in order. Of course … only after due process of law and he wins his criminal trial !!
)))
How can he be "criminal" possession of a gun when he is a reputable citizen with a license to carry and told them at the ticket counter he had it in the locked box? This is so stupid that they should even think of gving him prison time. I think if you have a license to carry, you should be able to carry in any state in the union. Why don't they go after the "occupy" crowd for being the scum that they are – the majority of them? The real issue is the Tea Party. They stand for the country and our constitution and liberal New York hates them.
Maybe Mr. Meckler should of checked with his lawyers on this issue before he brought along his locked up, unloaded weapon, but he evidentally tried to be upfront about the whole issue with the authorities. Why destroy the man's good background that you have to have to carry anyway? Go after the real thugs and criminals. Geezzzzzz!
We have been trying to go after real thugs and criminals for the past 3 years. It seems the real thugs and criminals have STOLEN the legal system.
You are right on track Ern!
You can bet OBummer will have something to do with that since he fears the Tea Party. If it had been a Demorat he would of gotten away with it.
This didn't just happen to happen by accident , this has Targeted Set UP written all over it , obama is wanting to show He can get anyone he wants to target , . obama is sending the message that only he can do whatever he wants whenever he wants , legal or not , he can cover up border patrol agents murder by arms he gave away , he can target and follow a tea party person and have him fraudulently charged , thru his TSA agents, and since the judges are either bought or scared of him , so he can do what he wants to do to those who oppose him .
I should like to see the reports about the guns carried by the OWS gangs.
Oops, sorry, OWS gangs only have illegal guns with no papers and "Well, gee we didn't do it".
I'm not sure which city is worse: San Francisco or New York? Both cities think that by over-controlling law abiding citizens, that they control criminals. Too many so-called Liberals in power in both cities, and we all know that Liberals generally make desicions on "feelings" rather than on logical reasoning. I believe that's called STUPIDITY.
great idea but the country is to corrupt I mean both party's vote them all out in 2012
lets see tea party guy 15 years ? liberal case closed
The fed was trying to pass abill to let you carry a weapon but the draw back to that is if you let the camel get his nose under the tent he might just up end the tent. It needs to be fought out in court that if you have a carry permit it should be good in any state. The other thing is that by the constution you don't need a permit. This was put in place manyyears ago and the population was a whole lot less than now. These is also too many nut cases including drug heads,muggers,rapeist and just plain out laws so i can sorta see the need to have the applicants checked out as long as they are treated fairly. Also the applicants should have to only pay for the first permit not any after that, The renewals should cost nothing or very little. these permits for a carry is just like the taxes you have to pay on every thing you buy and have to keep paying on, it is just one more thing that is unconstutional and mandated by these thiving politicans and our out of control gov. both local and fed. I don't look for it to change at least not any soon.
normally a rapist of a drugger or a murder wouldn't get to first base with the background check that is required… but they , or some of them , will have weapons anyway. they just won't carry them to an airport… but you are right , the 2nd amendment is clear , and the courts have agreed in recent decisions.. we should have agreements from state to state but it should never fall in the hands of the federal gov't .. the single most inept organization in the world
I, for one am sick of things like this. The harassment of the people will continue until we stop it. It is getting to be "enough is enough". The liberal states and cities are becoming impossible to deal with and believe the people will not rise up against them. But, it will happen!! And sooner than we think!
We're about to see our illegal system at work. I predict the book being thrown at this poor sap and probably his lawyer too. Score one for the left….
welcome to NY…home of the new HQ of the muslim brother hood.. who operates freely and without interruption from authority.. while an American just passing through is arrested .. even an idiot could have figured out what happened and that Meckler was no threat to anyone… this is when we as Americans have to wonder where we went wrong that we could have stupid laws and have stupid people in charge of our freedom .. ugh
Mr. Meckler will be made an example of because of his Tea Party Association. This should serve as a warning to all of us to understand the laws of the city and state we are travling in but also the poticial climate of these places. I avoid going to anti-gun cities and states whenever possible. When I can't I leave my gun at home and take my chances. Anyone travling to another state should contact that states AG office for the current laws. The media will use this opportunity to make the Tea Party look as bad as possible.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REPROICATY LAW THAT WAS PASSED. THIS LAW IS SUPPOSE TO ALLOW A CITIZEN WHO HAS A PERMIT TO CARRY A FIREARM TO CARRY IT INTO ANOTHER STATE. HE WAS NOT CARRYING THIS FIREARM IT WAS IN HIS LUGGAGE. WELCOME TO THE WORMEY ROTTEN APPLE HAVE A NICE DAY.
The Fourteenth Amendment says in part:
"No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States;"
Mark Meckler has a second amendment right to keep and bear arms.
It appears to me that New York has made a law and is enforcing a law that bridges Meckler's privilege of keeping and bearing arms, which appears to be unconstitutional.
New York is another screwed up liberal city where crime runs rampant but let an innocent and honest man who is conservative declare his weapon and the vultures are ready to attack. Yet, the OWS fleabaggers made such a mess of the city and caused millions of dollars in damage and filth, and guess what??? They got away with it. Again liberalism is a serious mental disorder with no chance in hell in finding a cure.
Thanks for the sensational headline – unloaded gun in a lock box in checked in luggage and declared at the ticket counter? Yawn. Let's call the Feds! This is a move to criminalize anyone carrying a gun.