World War II era firearm discovered during traffic stop in Monterey County

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies say that around 8:30 p.m. Sunday night, they arrested a man for possession of three firearms, including a loaded .45 caliber pistol, an AR pistol carbine, and a Japanese Type 11 light machine gun.

A deputy was patrolling the Castroville community when they saw a vehicle wrong-way in the middle of the street.

After a traffic stop near Poole and McDougal streets -- and with the assistance of another deputy and his K9 Partner “Rocket” -- deputies were alerted to the presence of controlled substances.

The female driver along with a male passenger were told that deputies needed to search the vehicle.

"A search of the vehicle revealed the presence of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia," according to the Sheriff's Office. "During the search, deputies discovered a loaded 1911 A-1 pistol. The pistol was found within hands reach of where the passenger was seated and inches from where deputies had been standing during the contact."

Fortunately, no deputies were injured during the search.

A further search resulted in the discovery of a loaded AR pistol carbine and a Japanese Type 11 light machine gun, according to deputies. They also said that two of the weapons did not have serial numbers.

Deputies continued to investigate and found that 42-year-old Brian Richard Knabb is a convicted felon from Pacific Grove, and was attempting to sell the light machine gun.

“This is a WWII era type of machine gun capable of firing over 500 rounds per minute. It’s a weapon
of war," said Sheriff Tina Nieto. "It’s a weapon of mass destruction.”

Brian Richard Knabb was booked into the Monterey County Jail for being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a machine gun, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of an unserialized firearm and other charges, deputies say.

Deputies say that his bail was set at $50,000, and the female driver was cited and released for possession of a controlled substance.