2 Chainz was arrested at LaGuardia Airport in New York today (May 22) after being caught with brass knuckles in his carry-on bag. But were they brass knuckles in the first place?

TMZ originally reported that 2 Chainz was entering the Delta terminal to fly out to a show in North Carolina on Tuesday, before the TSA discovered the brass knuckles in his possession. But later, the celebrity news website said 2 Chainz was merely rocking a four-finger ring with the word "DOPE" in big letters (one letter to each finger).

Law enforcement officers were immediately called to the scene and 2 Chainz was then taken into custody for misdemeanor possession of a criminal weapon at 1:45 p.m. EST. According to the New York Police Department, Port Authority police were handling the situation. XXLMag.com's calls to the Port Authority police weren't returned, as of Tuesday.

Chainz' rap peers, such as Big Sean and DJ Drama, came to the lanky MC's defense on Tuesday, saying that the TSA mistook a four-finger ring that Chainz likes to wear for being brass knuckles.

"2 chainz ain't have no brass knuckles, it was a 4 finger ring that spelled hood," Big Sean tweeted. "We had a shoot yesterday n he was rockin em."

Drama backed that claim by tweeting a pic of he alongside Chainz, who is seen wearing such jewelry.

The arrest comes at an interesting time for 2 Chainz, who has been the go-to rapper for features, having been a guest on artists’ records ranging from Young Jeezy to Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, R&B vixen Teairra Mari and even Kreayshawn. Earlier this month, the Atlanta MC signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music imprint, although he hasn’t officially acknowledged inking a contract with them just yet. He also dropped “No Lie,” his Drake-assisted lead single off his upcoming debut album, Based on a T.R.U. Story , due August 14.

“No Lie” was produced by Mike Will, who recently told XXL that he could possibly have more production on 2 Chainz’ upcoming LP.

“I played him four beats and out the four, he chose all four of them,” Will said. “This single is so special to me, though, because we have so much history. He’s gonna have one of the dopest albums this year.

Back in May 2006, the Game was arrested on weapon charges for carrying brass knuckles as well.

Check back with XXLMAG.COM for updates on this developing story.—Christian Bonoan with additional reporting by Mark Lelinwalla

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