On Friday, police in Washington, D.C., arrested a man from Virginia at an inauguration checkpoint after discovering that he had a “unauthorised” credential and an unregistered handgun in his vehicle, as well as more than 500 rounds of ammunition.
The Metropolitan Police Department provided The Hill with an incident record that named the individual as Wesley A. Beeler of Front Royal, Virginia. Beeler had a valid ID, but it wasn’t enough to get him inside the secure area he was trying to enter.
Contents
Gun-Related Bumper Stickers
Two gun-related bumper stickers, “Assault Life” and “If they come for your guns, Give ‘Em your bullets first,” were reportedly displayed on the man’s white Ford 150 truck.
A loaded Glock 9MM pistol, 509 rounds of ammunition, a 17-round Glock magazine, and 21 12-gauge shotgun shells were discovered by police after a search of the vehicle, as stated in the police report.
U.S. Capitol Police detained Beeler, who is now facing charges of conceal carry, unregistered handgun ownership, ammunition violations, and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding mechanism.
The Hill’s Attempts for Comment from the U.S. Capitol Police were not Met with an instant Response.
The arrest comes as Washington, DC, ramps up its security in preparation for Vice President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
The FBI revealed this week that it is monitoring “a substantial amount of troubling online activity” regarding threats of potential violence around the inauguration activities, including calls for armed protesters.
On Thursday, FBI Director Christopher Wray briefed Vice President Pence about his agency’s concerns regarding the possibility of violence at upcoming protests and rallies in Washington, DC, and at state capital buildings across the country, which could bring armed individuals within close proximity to government buildings and officials.
Last Words
At the request of the Secret Service, Capitol Police, and U.S. Park Police, as many as 25,000 members of the National Guard will be stationed in Washington, D.C. for the inauguration to help enforce security.
The city has also taken preventative precautions, including as closing many roads and several Metro stations and the majority of the National Mall.
