Rapper T.I. Busted on Weapons Charge

By Pamela Mortimer

Rapper T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, was arrested on Saturday in mid-town Atlanta regarding allegations that he attempted to purchase machine guns and silencers through a bodyguard. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives reported that other firearms were found in Harris’ car located at his suburban Atlanta residence. Charges include possession of unregistered machine guns and silencers. Considering that the 27 year-old Harris is a convicted felon, he will also be charged with possession of firearms, which is illegal under the conditions of his parole.

The criminal complaint filed in Atlanta’s U.S. District Court on Saturday stated that the arrest came about as a result of an investigation by the ATF after the federal agency was contacted by a firearms dealer. The dealer reported a man inquiring about the purchase a machine gun which would remain unregistered.

The unnamed man who made inquiries and attempted to purchase several guns from an undercover ATF agent was arrested and agreed to cooperate with the government in pointing the finger at his boss. The man claimed to have been working since July 2007 as a bodyguard for Harris, who was behind the attempt to purchase the machine guns and silencers. According to reports, Harris used the bodyguard as a cover to buy the weapons since it is a violation of federal law for a convicted felon to purchase or to have another person purchase or acquire firearms on his behalf.

Harris’ arrest occurred only a few hours before the BET Hip-Hop Awards on Saturday. Harris, who is co-CEO of Grand Hustle Records, won two awards.

News of the arrest sent shock waves through the crowd at the Hip-Hop Awards. Rapper KRS-One, who received the coveted "I am Hip Hop" Icon Award, learned about the raid just before he arrived at the ceremony.

KRS-One, aka Lawrence Parker, said the fellow rapper's legal troubles should not be a reflection on the industry as a whole.

"I'm saddened anytime I hear of a hip-hopper being locked up or somehow stunted in his life or his growth," he told The Associated Press. "I hope he wasn't into nothing crazy."

Common, a Chicago-based rapper, offered his support to fellow award winner at the show.

"I salute my guy T.I., who also won, wherever he is," said Common, while raising up his trophy.

Artists who were slated to appear with T.I. went ahead with the performance as scheduled. As Wyclef Jean performed T.I.'s song, "You Know What It Is," host and comedian Katt Williams pranced across the stage doing an impersonation of T.I. as the crowd burst into laughter.