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Amid a heightened security ahead of US President-elect Joe Biden’s upcoming inauguration, US Capitol Police have arrested a Virginia man with an unregistered gun and more than 500 rounds of ammunition.
CNN reported that Wesley Allen Beeler was arrested on Friday night at a checkpoint in downtown D.C. He allegedly tried presenting fake inauguration credentials and while searching him, cops found out he was packing.
When asked if he had any weapons on him, Beeler allegedly admitted to having a Glock semi-automatic pistol on him. He however had more than that as cops uncovered a treasure trove of ammo.
A police incident report alleged that Beeler had two guns, 509 rounds of ammunition, nearly two dozen 12-gauge shotgun shells, and a high-capacity magazine. Beeler was charged with possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of unregistered ammunition, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device and for breaking the stay-at-home order in town.
31-year-old Wesley Allen Beeler however tearfully told The Washington Post on Saturday January 16 that the whole thing was “an honest mistake.” Beeler said he was a security guard who had gotten lost in DC, and hadn’t realized his firearm was still in his truck.
He also told The Post he has a license to carry the gun, and that he did not have 509 rounds of ammunition, as the incident report alleged. He said;
“I pulled up to a checkpoint after getting lost in DC because I’m a country boy. I showed them the inauguration badge that was given to me.”
It was learnt that a judge released Beeler on personal recognizance and ordered him to stay away from DC. Beeler told The Post he had been en route to an overnight gig guarding media equipment, and the credential he was given had previously granted him access to the area.
