Man Charged after walking neighborhood with assault rifle

Jeff Jones

Gaithersburg, MD – A 30-year-old man from Silver Spring, Trevor Copeland, has been arrested by the Montgomery County Department of Police after openly carrying an assault rifle in a Germantown neighborhood.

The charge was announced today in regard to an incident a month ago.

The incident occurred on Thursday, April 27, when the police received a report about an individual carrying an assault rifle and knocking on random doors in an apartment complex located in the 23000 block of Sweetgum Circle. Responding swiftly, officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District – Community Action Team arrived at the scene and initiated contact with Copeland, who was found on the 3rd floor of the complex.

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Following a few minutes of communication, the officers successfully apprehended Copeland without incident.


Upon taking Copeland into custody, it was discovered that he possessed a Privately Manufactured Firearm (PMF) short-barreled assault rifle, which was loaded with 300 rounds of black ammunition, with one round already chambered. Further investigation revealed that Copeland was prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition.


Copeland was subsequently transported to the Central Processing Unit, where he has been charged with multiple firearms-related offenses.

As of now, he is being held without bond pending further legal proceedings.

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