A Virginia man was arrested at a Washington checkpoint near the Capitol with an "unauthorized" inauguration pass, a gun and more than 500 rounds of ammunition, according to Capitol police.
The suspect, identified as Wesley Allen Beeler, 31, was stopped at the checkpoint near Lower Senate Park about 6:30 p.m. Friday, an arrest report said. An unregistered gun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were found inside the truck that was adorned with gun decals days ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, according to Capitol Police.
The man described the situation to the Washington Post as "an honest mistake." Beeler said he has been working as a security guard in downtown Washington, was running late and forgot that his gun was in the vehicle. He said he's licensed to carry in Virginia.
He denied to the Post that he had all that ammunition.
Beeler, of Front Royal, Virginia, allegedly presented an "unauthorized Inauguration credential" to a Capitol Police officer, authorities said. They did not describe what sort of document he showed that raised suspicion.
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The suspect's Ford F-150 pickup displayed weapons-related stickers, including one that read, "Assault Life," and another that said, "If they come for your guns Give 'Em your bullets first," police said.
Beeler allegedly declared that he had a Glock handgun under an armrest, and a subsequent search found nearly 550 rounds of ammunition, including a loaded magazine, clipped into the Glock, with 16 rounds, authorities said. An additional round was in the chamber of the handgun, they said.
