By HANA KIM
6 News Reporter
LOUISVILLE (WATE) - A Louisville traveling in New York City reportedly tried to check her loaded gun at the Sept. 11 memorial.
Neighbors who know the suspect say it must have been an innocent mistake.
The New York Post reports Meredith Graves, 39, noticed a sign at the memorial at the World Trade Center site that said "No guns allowed."
When Graves asked police where she could check her loaded pistol she was arrested on a gun-possession charge.
The incident happened on Dec. 22.
The district attorney's office in New York City confirmed to 6 News Graves is being prosecuted for the alleged offense.
The official charge is criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
"It's probably a brain hiccup," said a neighbor, said Murl O'Mary. "She probably didn't think about it."
6 News confirmed Graves has a Tennessee gun carry permit, but an out-of-state permit is not valid in many states.
It is illegal to carry a weapon at all in New York City.
"You would think they would give her a break," said O'Mary. "She wasn't trying to sneak it in."
Graves was not home Thursday so 6 News was unable to get her side of the story.
Her attorney in New York released a statement saying, "This is an unfortunate situation that we expect to resolve."
If convicted, Graves could get a 3½-year sentence.
"I hope she gets to come home with no charges and record," said another neighbor, Skip Stansberry," that it can be resolved because I know there was no criminal intent there."
"It's probably a brain hiccup," said a neighbor, said Murl O'Mary.
"I hope she gets to come home with no charges and record," said Skip Stansberry.
