Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Rasheed Walker was arrested Friday morning, January 23, 2026, at LaGuardia Airport after authorities say he attempted to check a bag containing a firearm.
According to reports, Walker, 25, told airline staff that his luggage contained a locked case with a handgun and ammunition, prompting involvement from the Port Authority Police. He was then taken into custody and charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of criminal possession of a firearm, prosecutors said.
Reuters and other outlets report the incident unfolded at Terminal C as Walker checked in for a Delta flight, and that his gun license—while legal where it was issued—was not valid in New York, which is where the trouble began.
Walker’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, said the player voluntarily disclosed the firearm at check-in and believed he was following the rules by keeping it unloaded and secured in a locked box. Aidala indicated he expects the matter to be resolved favorably.
Multiple reports describe the weapon as a 9mm Glock with 36 rounds of ammunition found in a locked case inside Walker’s bag.
Walker appeared in Queens County Criminal Court and was released the same day. He is scheduled to return to court on March 19.
Why this matters for Long Island travelers
Even though LaGuardia is in Queens, it’s an airport many Long Islanders use constantly—especially for quick domestic hops. And this case is a reminder that transporting a firearm through New York City-area airports can trigger serious charges, even if the gun is legally owned and properly declared under airline/TSA procedures.
TSA rules generally allow travelers to fly with firearms only in checked baggage, unloaded, locked in a hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at the ticket counter.
But TSA compliance doesn’t override state and local laws. New York is famously strict about handgun licensing, and New York agencies note that the state does not recognize pistol permits from other states—a common pitfall for visitors and out-of-state travelers.
Walker’s NFL background
Walker was selected by the Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft and has been a regular starter across his first three seasons, appearing in most games since entering the league. He’s also expected to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
As of now, neither the Packers nor the NFL has announced any discipline related to the arrest.
Takeaway
If you’re a Long Islander (or anyone flying out of LGA/JFK) and you own a firearm: don’t assume “declared + locked case” automatically makes it legal. TSA rules are one layer; New York and NYC-area firearm laws are another—and the consequences can escalate fast.