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NFL Player Arrested for Bringing Loaded .40 Cal Handgun NY Airport
NEW YORK (TheBlaze/AP) — Authorities say an NFL player has been arrested at a New York airport after police found a loaded handgun in his luggage.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Da ‘Quan Bowers was awaiting arraignment Monday on charges of criminal possession of a weapon. Meris Campbell, a spokeswoman for the Queens District Attorney’s office, said Bowers will be charged in criminal court on two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. The charges carry a minimum sentence of 3 1/2 years in prison.
Bowers was arrested at LaGuardia Airport as he was about to board a US Airways flight to Raleigh, N.C. Authorities say the loaded .40-caliber weapon was found during a search of his carry-on bag.
Bowers played college football for Clemson University and was chosen by the Buccaneers in the 2011 NFL draft.
He’s in police custody and can’t be reached for comment by telephone. The Buccaneers haven’t returned messages seeking comment.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the matter “will be reviewed under our league policies.”
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Comments (70)
perry1980
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:41amJust keeping it real man
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redfish52
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 10:04amSee this is the type guy that makes me as a law abiding gun owner and a CCP holder furious. This guy is to stupid to own a gun. Take it from him before he shot’s his foot off. Oh because he went to Clemson he can’t be all that smart…just kidding..my son goes to Clemson so I had to throe in that dig. He knows my UN and reads the Blaze.
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Master.Debater
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:09amPeople need to be careful when traveling to police states. You just don’t have the same rights there as at home.
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Displacedsoutherner
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 10:06amSo at the airport “at home” it’s ok to take a loaded gun on a plane? This guy is a moron and blaming NY for his arrest is just silly.
Your ass would be going to jail in Texas just as fast although you’d probably have better luck understanding what they were saying while they were hauling you in.
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Slick Willie
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:56amI would NEVER EVER go to New York….Never been there and never will!!
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John1863
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:30amI think we should have a bring a gun to NY day and march on Time Square with 10s of thousand carrying. Have people from all over the country show up. The police can’t arrest us all and the ones who are should sue NY for violation of their right to bear arms, do it in a class action suit and sue for billions.
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grimjack3791
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:24amAdd “defensive end” to the Bucs’ list of draft day needs. Like the Bucs don’t have enough holes to fill. Thanks, jackass.
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Blazen420
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:12amNew York sucks. I get a kick out of watching sporting events in New York city where they think they are so patriotic when they sing God Bless America or the National Anthem. These people are totally clueless as to what freedom really is. They have no idea.
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Pokerjoe
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 10:51amYou,Slick and 44 are all right. I think Nwe York can have it. Will not ever see me.
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P4cooler
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 7:40amNew York just violated our 2nd Amendment rights. New York thinks it knows better than our Constitution.
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Bum thrower
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:51amANY knowledgable firearm owner knows you DON”T try to take a fire arm on a plane in your carry on. There is a procedure for checking a lawfully possessed gun; No guns alowed in NYC. It’s called ‘the sullivan law’ and has been around since the 1930′s. STAY OTTA NEW YORK…
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Baddoggy
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:51amBecause of the 4th Ammendment they should have never found the firearm in the first place!
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carhouse
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 10:16ammany many good people in NY it is Bloomdick and Cuomoass and then the rest are dooshes mispelled on purpose
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Gonzo
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 7:22amThis is an example of why Da Quan had an athletic scholarship to Clemson instead of an academic scholarship.
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naughtycal
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 7:38amGive me an effing break the man has aconstitutional right to gun a gun and was not up to some nefarious plot in carry in gun. This is another example of tyranny. Fact is if your dumd enough to bring your gun to the airport it should be confiscated nothing more. If you have a conceal carry you should be force to either locker it or put it in your lugage. It should not be a criminal charge involved. To all the pro-2cd amendment groups you’re looking for a rally call WELL HERE IT IS. Get behind this young man and fight tyranny.
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Gonzo
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 7:59amYou’re saying Da Quan was making a constitutional argument by having a gun in his luggage? Anyone with half a brain knows a move like that would land you in big trouble whether you like the law or not.
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PA PATRIOT
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:09amNaughty
Gun ownership, that is… “Responsible gun ownership” requires following the law of the land, i.e. NY City, where it is illegal to carry a pistol.
State Law
“New York does not honor licenses or permits from any other states, though some states will recognize New York licenses without a formal agreement.[13] There are no provisions for an out-of-state handgun owner (other than on- or off-duty law enforcement, on-duty military or non-resident business owners with a NYS Pistol License) to carry a handgun within New York State. (Get this one) A pistol license is required to physically examine a handgun for purchase at a gun store or gun show. Wow.
Do not get me wrong, I am not prepared to give up my rights to carry a LEGAL firearm, but in Cities where the whack job gubberment has already changed the scenario, I am NOT naive enough to think I cannot and will not be caught and prosecuted for an illegal firearms charge. Just because he is and NFL player, 6’3” and weighs 265 does not make him eligible to carry. You and I both know that. We need to be smart, and this was definitely one of the dumbest things I have seen lately, other Plaxico Antonio Burress who shot himself in the foot and was charged with a felony. “Good Bye Guns for him.”
My motto, Stay the Hell out of NY, PHL, BAL, WASH, and BOS. I am very much at home clinging to my guns and my bibles, looking at the corn grow and the Amish buggies. Not smart ass, just a voice of reason.
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naughtycal
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:10amNo I’m saying we need to make a stand on this one. Like I posted I can understand if they confiscated his weapon but prison sentence for exercising a Constitutional right is UNCONSTITUTIONAL UNAMERICAN AND EVIL. The young man made a mistake he was not up to nefarious plot to highjack a plane. When they evaluate murders as to bases the charges INTENT is the first thing they look at….Well what was this young man intent….He young black and has money…..His intent is obvious PROTECTION nothing more.
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000degrees
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:13amGlass houses Gonzo……..
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Gonzo
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:15amIf his record is clean he’ll get off with probation and a fine. I don’t like a lot of laws, but I’m not going to break them unless I am prepared to face the consequences.
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PA PATRIOT
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:21amGonzo
THe voice of reason is a virtue.
Thank You
I liked your other profile picture better. I could visually relate to your Username much better!!
I think it was the dude from Animal House?
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Gonzo
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:31am000degrees, what if Da Quan’s name was Rahib Mohamed instead and didn’t play football, he worked at a 7-11. I’m sure you would still support him.
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naughtycal
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:56amPA PATRIOT,
Wrong! the second amendment guarantees the right to bear arms and the 10th amendment forbids the states and the Congress from violating those rights.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people
Just so you simple minds can understand I’ll break down for
States can no more violate the right to keep and bear arms as they can violate your ramanders rights,or your freedom of speech,or your protection from unreasonable search and siezure.. The Constitution guarantees those right to be absolute.
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naughtycal
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:05amwhat if Da Quan’s name was Rahib Mohamed instead and didn’t play football, he worked at a 7-11. I’m sure you would still support him
Yes I would and again like I said the airport could have the ability to confiscated the gun or require him to put in his none carry on lugage. But not criminally charge him as a felon. Being that he is a convient store clerk can totally understand why he feels the need for protection. It’s like one of the most dangerous jobs in America. So yes support mohammed if he a legal citizen and treat he as such.
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PA PATRIOT
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:19amNaughty
Laws are laws.
In Wyoming the Interstate speed limit reads “Travel at a safe speed”
In New York it reads Speed Limit 55. Go ahead and Travel at a safe speed in NY.
You will be arrested. That is STUPID
Carrying a gun in NYC is STUPID. It may be an infringement of my rights, but I do not need to go there to find out what will happen. How about you go. eh
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naughtycal
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:44amPA PATRIOT,
Laws are laws and the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. The reason we are called the united states is because we are all united UNDER THE CONSTITUTION. Using your logic NY could eliminated your Constitutional rights to unreasonable search and seizure,free speech,marander rights,rights to trial by a jury of your peers…Just because the state legislation says so.
I don’t know what hole you been in for your entire life. But get out of ..
Your speed limit example is irrelivant since the Constitution doesn’t grant or prohibit congress from setting a speed limit those powers revert back to the individual states. But the 2cd amendment prohibits Congress and thus prohibits states from infringing on Constitutional rights in the 2cd amendment.
I swear you people need to move to china because you are too ignorant to part of the American electorate. You would sales your rights and future Americans rights because of your ignorance to the how our Country and it justice system is set up to protect freedom.
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PA PATRIOT
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 10:30amNaughty
I guess you told me.
I do not need to go to China, I need to stay the hell out of NYC.
I say put your money where your mouth is and take you freakin gun to JFK Airport and see what happens.
Stupid is as stupid does.
Furthermore, Why then, have I been told that the PA Bill 357 listed below which will be introduced to the PA General Assembly prohibiting the Feds to influence gun owners in PA WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE ENFORCED ……The FEDS have Jurisprudence.
Bil 357
An Act providing that any Federal law which attempts to register, restrict or ban a firearm or to limit the size of a magazine of a firearm in this Commonwealth shall be unenforceable in this Commonwealth; and imposing penalties.”
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2013&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=357
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naughtycal
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 11:05amPA PATRIOT,
I live by two major airports if I want to become a martyr. And if pushed hard enough I might do that. The point I’m making is anyone attempting to justify this UnConstitutional act doesn’t possess a critical thought process. If airlines want to ban guns in carry on lugage they can and anyone caught carrying a gun in the carry on can be subject to confiscation of said weapon,refusal to be allowed on the fly or from said airline in general or simply be required to place their guns in the non carry on lugage away from access during the flight. Business has the right to set policies on their costumers (no shoes ,no shir, no service) But to criminally charge a man with a felony for exercising his constitutional rights is fascist and Unconstitutional . This is against the Constitution on all levels.
And pro 2cd amendment groups need to rally to this young mans side and give him support as well as some serious constitutional legal representation.
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000degrees
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 11:47amPoint taken Gonzo….On the other hand an American citizen has natural rights protected by law. I just want to hear his explanation. I believe a citizen should be able to take their firearm with them when they travel. Not in a carry on bag but checked certainly. I think this should be investigated no doubt but I believe in the bill of rights and I don’t agree I should have to give them up at the state line.
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ALL4FREEDOM
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 7:18amIt begs this question: how did he get the gun there to begin with (I’m assuming he brought it from Florida – or did he get it legally in gun-friendly New York)?
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GUYFROMMAINE
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 7:02amHe has got to obey the laws, and at this point, who doesn’t know that a mere citizen cannot bring a gun to an airport. That being said, what FOOLS we are as a people to arrest someone for simply having a gun in their possession. That is his crime??? Or is his crime the supposition that he MIGHT have done SOMETHING with the gun in the airport or on the plane? He is charged with criminal possession of a gun. So is he a convicted criminal who shouldn’t have a gun, or is he a criminal for simply having a gun?
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000degrees
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 7:22amIf he has a record that precludes him from having a gun then I get it. If he is simply an American citizen then he has a right to be armed. Understandably he cannot carry it aboard an aircraft but there may well be an explanation so let’s hear him out….
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naughtycal
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:17amExactly we Pro-2cd amnendment groups need to rally around this young man and bring to bare the full force of the American people. I can understand if the security confiscated his gun,or required him to place it in his non carry on lugage. But the charge a felony for exercising his CONSTITUTIONALLY GUARANTEED RIGHTS is just another marxist law to permently ban him from his 2cd amendment rights. We need to bring the full force of the Constitution and the citizens that believe in freedom down on this tyrannical legislation. The man should in turn also sue the criminal justice system for violating their oath and his Constitutional rights.
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Cadcamtrainer
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 6:19amThat is what happens when you get millionaires that can’t read…… It is not his fault, he is a victim. The TSA was racist and Al Sharpton will sue on his behalf. If Odumbo had a son, he will look just like this guy. Dumb and stupid!
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TomFerrari
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 6:45amWhile I would not have made that mistake, I do think there needs to be an accommodation at airports for the individual to disarm without being arrested. There are plenty of crimes committed in airport parking structures and parking lots. Makes sense to defend yourself.
TSA failed to do their job, and he gets punished. Things get hectic in airports and people do forget things. Again, I’d like to think I would not forget a firearm, but, I’m not him.
Maybe a DMZ is in order? Allow you to disarm, secure your weapon into “a TSA approved” container, and submit it to them for transport. Metal detectors before and after? OH! Or maybe we could have stalls with TSA agents doing body cavity searches! Okay, I talked myself out of it. Lets’ just use some common sense, both as a passenger, and as a… um, “TSA agent.”
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tommyr
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 7:23am@TomFerrari. No one is that busy or preoccupied that there is any excuse for this crap. Of course being a member of the NFL, I am sure he will get special treatment and someone in security will magically get some tickets and this will all go away.
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biohazard23
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 7:31amTommyR, special treatment? No way. He’s not a Kartrashian.
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PA PATRIOT
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:14amTom,
Would love to think that way, BUT it is game over in NYC.
His goose is cooked, like all the brains of the government officials.. Remember the commercial of the fried egg. “This is your brain on drugs…”. Welll this is your brain on gun control in NYC. COOKED!
It is like oil and water.; Guns and NY do not mix.
Be smart, stay the hell away. Who needs it.
In MT, some places require you to check your weapons like you check a coat, but that is Montana.
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JohnofOregon
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 12:46amwhoa!!!!
the guy gets arrested for carrying a 40 cal handgun. that can’t be true.
to listen to sen chucky shoester and mayor big paints there are no gun regulations in new york. it is a top priority of thiers to confinscate every one. and yes @metoers both have stated that in the past and chucky repeated it again in a press conference that was on this site “there is no reason for any citizen other than law enforcement to own a firearm” sound familiar.
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CharlestonJohn
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 12:30amThis guy is a good kid Bowers is not a thug. I got the chance to meet him and he is a very good person.
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Marci
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 1:51amI think the bigger problem here is the most obvious one—TSA missed it altogether. I know…shocker. Had it been caught at security (the reason for security), then we would probably not be hearing about it. And for the person who thinks you don’t need a loaded gun lest you have an emergency in the next 10 seconds….
Sigh. Ignorance has never been a virtue, ever.
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DRSAVAGE24
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 1:56amThe real problem here is that the government gets away with violating our 2nd amendment right to self defense just because we get on an airplane. Law-abiding citizens should be able to carry anywhere, including on airplanes.
This is a fact: 9/11 would not have happened as it did had Americans been free to carry their own weapons onto planes. The terrorists had a “gun-free” zone in which to attack defenseless Americans on board those flights. If we had more freedom, Bin Laden likely would not have even tried to do this knowing the likelihood that at least a few passengers would be carrying guns and could stop them. Not to say they wouldn’t have tried something else, but they would not have been able to or even tried to turn those planes into missiles if not for our government violating our God-given right to self defense.
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Baddoggy
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 5:55amDRSAVAGE you are absolutely correct. If they did not violated his 4th ammendment rights they never would have found the gun either! So they took two of his Constitutionally GUARANTEED rights and threw them in the garbage. This is not America. This is WWII Germany!!!!!!!!
I refuse to fly because i will not give up my 4th Ammendment rights. I also violate the law and risk prison when I go to a movie theatre that has a gun free zone sign up. But I will be damned if I am a victim of a crazy person…well other than my wife….
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Ohello
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 12:25amJust goes to show you there is no 2nd Amendment. The fact that the government can arrest you for simply bearing arms is proof that the government is out of control. The entire reason for the words
“Shall not be infringed” is so the government (in this case the Brits) could not arrest an American simply because he was armed. They were in the business like Obama of confiscating the weapons of the American Colonists. I think the ACLU should help this helpless black felon who is a felon only because the government created laws so that he would be a felon.
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DRSAVAGE24
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 1:57amYou’re exactly right, thank you for injecting common sense into this thread. Out of control government arresting someone simply for carrying a gun. What part of “shall not infringe” does the U.S. Government not understand?
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Baddoggy
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 5:57am4th Ammendment rights were violated too because it was an ILLEGAL search! No one seems to think about that. They never would have found the gun in the first place if they had not violated the 4th ammendment also!
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Beachmastermax
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 12:09amDa Quan should have known not to leave the south. In NY they are just lookin for a stupid reason to jail a black man.
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Taxpayer550
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 12:00amJust one of the many reasons why the NFL has become a circus sideshow instead of world-class athletes performing and playing a long-loved American game. I stopped watching and following the NFL years ago.
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The Big Mick
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:20pmSigh.
More proof Football kills brain cells.
Is there ANYONE on the PLANET that doesn’t know YOU CAN’T BRING A GUN INTO THE BIG APPLE?
God what another effn STUPID GangstaHoodie Homie.
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Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:43pmThe article also does not state if he has a Concealed Weapons Permit. I’ll bet he doesn’t.
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DRSAVAGE24
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 1:58amIf we are truly free and have a RIGHT to keep and bear arms, why do we have to ask the government for a permit to execise that right? Would you accept the premise that you need a permit to speak? Carrying a “personal defense weapon” is no different.
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Baddoggy
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 6:00amHow about your right to NOT BE SEARCHED in the first place…YOU KNOW THE 4TH AMMENDMENT they violated! Our Government is out of control! If we don’t stand up we are toast!
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garbagecanlogic
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:09pmDon’t tell me, don’t tell me. I’ll bet he was black and probably had some strange name like DeAnthony or Damarquiece etc. Most likely, he said he forgot it was there. That’s because he is an ignorant arse and thot he could get away with it.
Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8
The U.N. Out Of The U.S.
The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
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Baddoggy
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 6:01amRacist much?
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americansfightingforcommonsense
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:56pm“NFL PLAYER ARRESTED FOR BRINGING LOADED .40 CAL HANDGUN NY AIRPORT
Feb. 18, 2013 10:30pm Jason Howerton
“The prison sentance could be hefty…”
Come on guys….lets proof read this stuff before you post the story….maybe it should read “through” NY AIRPORT.” ?
AND sentance is spelled sentence! LOL
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SecretAmerican
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 3:14amSad isn’t it?
And the genius reporter or whoever wrote the story probably makes 100k a year, unbelievably.
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Mapache
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:56pmDid he have more than 7 rounds in the magazine? Is he licensed to carry in NYC? How many more state charges can be piled on in addition to Federal?
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civilwarcometh
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:53pmGO! Missouri..http://www.house.mo.gov/billsummary.aspx?bill=HB633&year=2013&code=R
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RJJinGadsden
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:20pmDang good idea! Thanks for that link.
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RightThinking1
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:45pmAn NFL player doing something stupid? I’m shocked.
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oldguy49
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:59pmsounds like someone didn’t get the memo
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DRSAVAGE24
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 2:03amWhat’s stupid about carrying a gun to defend yourself? You accept the liberal premise that the government can tell you when and where you can carry a personal defense weapon?
This is how far gone we are as a society. This country has turned so far away from freedom that even Republicans agree that law-abiding citizens shouldn’t be able to carry firearms onto airplanes. Worked pretty well on 9/11/01 didn’t it?
More freedom is the solution to most of our country’s problems. And here we are, the party of old white guys, many of us will be defending this black man against the tyranny of the state. Ironic, isn’t it?
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crueltiming
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:43pmif obama had a son….
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media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:38pmAmericans have a right to bear arms, this guy has the money, he can get a lawyer and fight it?
Loaded gun as in bullet in the chamber? No excuse for endangering the safety of others, a gun safety switch is designed for the weapon being in your hand, not bouncing around in luggage? You should be able to draw a weapon and chamber the round at the same time, no reason to have a loaded gun unless you are going to shoot someone in the next 10 seconds?
This is a case of negligence, poor training, and they will want to make an example out of him? He did this on purpose, who puts a gun in the luggage and then gets on the plane? He’s never gotten his luggage stolen? Something does not sound right here? Fatigue from work?
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Max jones
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:38pmThat was just stupid.
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Magyar
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:49pmDid you expect anything else?
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