Ethan Miller/Getty Images

It's hard out there for a rapper—especially when you run afoul of the law.

Three 6 Mafia member DJ Paul was arrested this past weekend in New York City after police saw him publicly carrying an open can of beer and discovered that he was toting a taser, E! News has confirmed.

According to a spokeswoman for the NYPD, on Sunday at around 8:15 p.m., cops noticed the rapper (real name: Paul Beauregard) in midtown Manhattan holding an open can of Corona while standing on a street corner.

Former Three 6 Mafia member Crunchy Black shot in the face

They also later found a taser on him.

According to the New York Daily News, when police pressed the 37-year-old on why he carried one around, he reportedly replied, "I use it for personal protection."

He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, which is a misdemeanor, and public drinking, a violation.

Three 6 Mafia's members, who won an Oscar in 2006 for their hit "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp," haven't necessarily been steering clear of trouble lately: In July, former member Crunchy Black was shot in the face and leg in Las Vegas, but was expected to recover.

Three 6 Mafia's Oscar win wasn't the only shocker—here are nine others