NEW YORK (CBS 2 / WCBS 880) – Thursday evening the co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots was caught on video running from CBS 2’s camera, after he was arraigned on gun charges.

Mark Meckler was arrested earlier in the day for gun possession at LaGuardia Airport and spent most of the day in detention, reports CBS 2’s Tony Aiello.

WCBS 880’s Sophia Hall On The Story https://newyork.cbslocal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14578484/2011/12/hall_teaparty1v_morn_1111216.mp3

Authorities said Meckler was boarding a 5:30 a.m. flight to California when they discovered a gun in a lockbox with 19 cartridges.

Meckler did declare that he had the gun and cartridges with him, but since he didn’t have a New York State permit to carry the weapon he was arrested. Meckler did have a California permit for the firearm.

“He didn’t have a correct understanding of the law,” said Al Della Fave, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which polices the area’s main airports.

Meckler was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the 2nd degree.

As he left the courthouse after his arraignment he was desperate to avoid news cameras. A man accompanying Meckler put his hand over the lens of CBS 2’s camera and repeatedly tried to interfere with our photographer as Meckler raced through the courthouse to a side door.

As two photographers gave chase, Meckler ran to Queens Boulevard, the infamous “Boulevard of Death,” and ran across one lane of traffic, jumped over a wrought iron barricade and then high-tailed it to the other side before disappearing into the night.

Meckler is due back in court on Jan. 12.

Meckler helped found the Tea Party Patriots in 2009 and has since been the national chairman of the movement. The group supports laws allowing citizens to bear arms.

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