A Virginia gunman is the third person arrested near the U.S. Capitol in three days as law enforcement fortifies the area for the day of the inauguration.
Guy Berry, 22, was arrested Sunday afternoon for carrying an unlicensed handgun and possessing a large-capacity ammunition and unregistered ammunition feed device, according to WJLA.
The firearm was “clearly visible in a holster,” while the suspect was walking near the Washington Mall, police told local ABC affiliate
Berry was carrying three high-capacity magazines and more than three dozen rounds of unregistered ammunition, according to the report.
On Saturday, a Connecticut woman was busted after police said she tried to pass a security checkpoint by posing as a police officer.
A day earlier, another heavily armed Virginia man was charged after attempting to conduct a check with false inaugural credentials. Police found him in possession of an unregistered weapon and more than 500 rounds of ammunition.
The National Mall is closed to the public after the deadly January 6 riot in Capital Hill, and people have been asked to avoid the area.
Some 25,000 National Guard troops descend on Washington to prop up the Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden to swear in Wednesday’s ceremony.
Most of the country’s 50 state houses have stepped up security in anticipation of violent rallies of people who falsely believe the election was fraudulently stolen from President Trump.
Concentrations of armed protesters on Sunday in Lansing and Columbus were not violent.