Man Convicted of Carrying Concealed Firearm with Trigger Activator Following Norfolk Traffic Stop

NORFOLK, Va. — Marciano Bibbins-Hamlin, 18, was convicted on Wednesday of carrying a concealed firearm and possessing an illegal trigger activator, also known as a switch or an auto sear, last year.

On Sept. 1, Norfolk Police officers pulled over a vehicle near the intersection of Church Street and B Avenue for failing to maintain its proper lane. Mr. Bibbins-Hamlin was one of five occupants in the vehicle and was seated in the rear driver’s side passenger seat. The officers recognized some of the occupants, including Mr. Bibbins-Hamlin, from previous interactions and knew them to carry guns. When officers asked the occupants to exit the vehicle, a firearm was spotted inside. All the individuals were detained, and officers searched the vehicle.

In front of where Mr. Bibbins-Hamlin had been seated, officers recovered a Glock 9mm semi-automatic handgun equipped with a trigger activator, which allows multiple rounds to be fired with one pull of the trigger. When officers searched Mr. Bibbins-Hamlin, they found a matching magazine loaded with 9mm ammunition on his person. Also recovered from the vehicle was an assault rifle-style pistol with an angled foregrip. Mr. Bibbins-Hamlin confessed to owning the AR-style pistol but denied ownership of the Glock.

On Wednesday, Mr. Bibbins-Hamlin pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed firearm and possessing a trigger activator, and Judge Mary Jane Hall found him guilty. Mr. Bibbins-Hamlin is docketed for sentencing before on April 5.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Anthony J. Comento is prosecuting Mr. Bibbins-Hamlin’s case on behalf of the Commonwealth, and Norfolk Police Detective Kyle G. Phillips led the investigation.

###