Da’Quan Bowers Alerted Authorites To Gun
February 18th, 2013
Additional news is trickling in about the Da’Quan Bowers gun escapade in New York this morning.
In case you haven’t read, Bowers was pinched for having a not-quite loaded firearm at LaGuardia Airport this morning, which, in so many words, the long arm of the law in New York frowns upon greatly.
The firearm in question was in a carry-on bag.
Now, per USA Today’s Mike Garafalo, Bowers alerted airport security that he had the gun in his bag; it was not detected by security, Garafolo noted on Twitter.
@MikeGarafolo: Spokesman for Queens DA confirms Da’Quan Bowers’ arrest. Says he did not try to go through security with the gun. … Bowers told the folks at the counter he had a gun in his bag when he checked in, Queens DA spokeswoman said.
Joe would hope someone in Queens in authority can look at this and come to the conclusion Bowers, though misguided, meant no harm.
Look, Bowers told authorities of the firearm before it passed through security. Though Bowers was charged with a felony, Joe hopes a judge can see there was no malice intended nor implied.
February 18th, 2013 at 8:28 pm
Hoping for a reduced charge. Knowing Bowers even as superficially as we do, does he really seem the kind of guy trying to pull something nefarious? Never thought that was the case.
February 18th, 2013 at 8:34 pm
Apparently this is quite common. A quick google search turns up dozens of similar stories. Some websites mention that this exact scenario happens 4-5 times per day. (Obligatory caveat that not everything that you read online is true…)
February 18th, 2013 at 8:36 pm
Yea he should have left the airport when he realized he had it, ship it and catch a later flight. Sounds like he tried to so the right thing.
February 18th, 2013 at 8:38 pm
Why even bring a gun to an airport in New York? They already made an example out of Plexico. Why risk bringing a gun when you are flying? This is beyond stupid to me. If he need protection, then hire a body guard for the weekend.
February 18th, 2013 at 8:39 pm
The proper way to do it!
http://www.ammoland.com/2009/11/transporting-handguns-ammunition-on-commercial-airlines/#axzz2LIdy5NjO
February 18th, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Macabee –
From what I’ve read, that course of action will still get you arrested in NYC, which is the issue. My understanding is that you have to have the proper NY paperwork, which is where most people apparently get tripped up. You could follow exactly what that link says, show up at the ticket counter and properly announce your fire arm, then get arrested due to NY gun laws. The last paragraph does say that you need to check with the specific state laws.
February 18th, 2013 at 8:47 pm
That’s my boy, He tried to do what’s right.
Hopefully that will be seen.
February 18th, 2013 at 8:53 pm
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bucs/report-bucs-daquan-bowers-arrested-at-new-york-airport-on-gun-charge/2106096
Excerpt…
Meris Campbell, a spokeswoman for the Queens County District Attorney, said the weapon was not discovered by security. Instead, Bowers voluntarily turned the weapon over to authorities. However, she said, the same charge would have applied had security personnel uncovered the weapon.
The charge levied is a felony and is considered quite serious. New York, home to some of the nation’s strictest gun laws, aggressively prosecutes gun crimes. Criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree is punishable anywhere from a minimum of 3 1/2 years to a maximum of 15 years in prison, Campbell.
Bowers remains in custody but will appear before a judge later this evening. The judge will decide whether bond is set at that time, Campbell said.
Bowers faces a difficult road ahead if he must fight the charges. He is charged with the same offense as former Giants receiver Plaxico Burress, who served 20 months in prison after pleading to a lesser charge stemming from a 2008 incident in which his gun accidentally discharged in a nightclub.
New York requires a city-issued handgun license, which Bowers does not have. Authorities employ a zero-tolerance approach to those illegally possessing firearms, significantly raising the stakes for the 22-year old Bowers.
February 18th, 2013 at 10:14 pm
Guess we will never get to know if his knee holds up. But atleast he was not carrying a big gulp.