DJ Paul: 'I didn't know Taser gun was illegal in New York'

Rapper DJ PAUL has vowed to fight his Sunday night (14Oct12) Taser gun arrest in New York, insisting he had no idea he was carrying around an illegal weapon.

The Oscar-winning Three 6 Mafia star was reportedly confronted by cops after he was spotted illegally drinking beer on the street. The arresting officers carried out a search of his person and found the Taser gun.

He was booked for carrying an open container of alcohol and misdemeanour possession of a weapon.

But the star, real name Paul Beauregard, insists the incident was a mix-up, and he has pledged to clear his name.

He tells TMZ.com, "I honestly didn't know it was illegal. I thought it was at the same level as pepper spray. My bodyguard wasn't around last night and I was by myself in NYC and anything can happen in the late hours down there.

"I have a clean record and don't want to dirty it up for something minor like this... I wasn't carrying it to go out and harm someone."