Man carried firearm around apartment complex, knocked on random doors, Montgomery Co. police say

Police said they seized this firearm. (Courtesy Montgomery County police)

A Montgomery County, Maryland, man was arrested last month, after police say he walked around his Germantown apartment building carrying an AR pistol and knocking on random doors.

Trevor Copeland, 30, of Silver Spring, was arrested April 27 and charged with multiple firearms-related charges, according to a news release. Police said that at the time of his arrest, Copeland was prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition.

Officers were called to an apartment complex in the 23000 block of Sweetgum Circle on April 27 for the report of a man with a gun knocking on doors.

When police arrived, they found Copeland on the third floor and took him into custody. Police said he was carrying a privately manufactured (PMF) AR pistol loaded with 300 Blackout Ammunition, with one round in the chamber.

Privately manufactured firearms are also known as a “ghost guns,” because they don’t have serial numbers.

Copeland was taken to the Central Processing Unit, where he is being held without bond.

Online court records indicate Copeland was previously charged in January with two misdemeanor counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and having a loaded handgun in a vehicle, and was out on bond at the time of his arrest in April.

While the Germantown arrest happened late last month, police issued a release about it on Tuesday.

A Montgomery County police spokeswoman said the department issued the news release on Tuesday to highlight the work of the department for members of the community.

Editor’s Note: Montgomery County police initially referred to the firearm as an “assault rifle.” In fact, it was an AR pistol. An earlier version of this story also incorrectly stated how much ammunition police say Copeland is accused of possessing. The story has been updated. 

Jack Moore

Jack Moore joined WTOP.com as a digital writer/editor in July 2016. Previous to his current role, he covered federal government management and technology as the news editor at Nextgov.com, part of Government Executive Media Group.

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