Police arrest man with antique gun, internet accuses him of being a time-traveller

A suspect has been mercilessly mocked online after police arrested him in possession of an antique handgun.

Keith Gladden, 36, was taken into police custody in Baltimore at the beginning of this month after officers pulled his car over.

During the routine traffic stop, they found drugs and a loaded handgun inside the car.

Ordinarily, this bit of police work may have gone unnoticed, except the gun found was rather unusual.

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So unusually old, in fact, that the Baltimore Police Department posted an image of the weapon on its Facebook page.

‘During the traffic stop, officers recovered a loaded handgun and drugs from inside the vehicle,’ Baltimore PD wrote.

’36-year old Keith Gladden was arrested at the scene. He was transported to the Central Booking and Intake Facility. Gladden is a repeat offender and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.’

The picture sparked a huge online reaction, most of it mocking Gladden’s gun for its antique appearance.

The old gun had seen better days, and was held together by duct tape.

Many thought it looked like a weapon from a bygone age.

The force’s Facebook post received more than 44,000 comments and 128,000 shares.

One commenter joked: ‘This is the first gun you have access to in Grand Theft Auto: Gettysburg.’

Another made the link to former US president Abraham Lincoln’s assassination in 1865.

‘I was under the impression John Wilkes Booth was no longer alive,’ they said.

Another commented: ‘If it pleases the Peasants, brave Constables wish to inform us they have apprehended a young rapscallion armed with a pepperbox whilst operating his horseless carriage.’

After the reaction, even the Baltimore PD got in on the act, replying: ‘If it pleases the court, we will ensure we safeguard this firearm and ensure the safety of all in the village of Lord Baltimore.

‘Whilst this young lad possessed this weapon illegally, his punishment shall not include that of public stoning nor shaming.

‘He therefore shall be recommended as a candidate for reenactment just up the road in Gettysburg.’

Many commenters asked the police if Gladden was a time-traveller.