Popper’s manager says guns registered

Blues Traveler singer and harmonica player John Popper is an avid gun collector who likes stopping at shooting ranges when he is traveling and that’s why he had weapons in his vehicle when he was stopped by the Washington State Patrol, his manager said Thursday.

Troopers arrested Popper and another person who were allegedly speeding on Tuesday near Ritzville.

Officers said they found a cache of weapons and a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle.

The two men were booked into the Adams County Jail and then released. No charges have been filed.

“Since January, John has been in Austin, Texas, recording an acoustic album of the band’s greatest hits and was driving home from Austin to Western Washington when the car was pulled over,” said a statement from George Couri, manager for Popper and the band.

“He is an avid gun collector and when he takes long trips, he likes to visit shooting ranges,” Couri said.

All the weapons in the vehicle are registered and transported in a locked cabinet, Couri said.

“He was a passenger in the vehicle when it was stopped and he complied completely with local police,” Couri said.

Popper, 39, was arrested Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 90 near the Spokane/Lincoln county line, when the black Mercedes SUV he was riding in was clocked going 111 mph, troopers said.

Popper, who lives in Snohomish, Wash., is the owner of the vehicle, which was being driven by Brian Gourgeois, 34, of Austin, Texas, said Trooper Jeff Sevigney.

Gourgeois was arrested on reckless driving charges and, after troopers reportedly smelled marijuana, Popper was arrested on drug possession charges, the WSP said.

Authorities plan to charge them with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Gourgeois will also face a charge of reckless driving, the WSP said.

Inside the vehicle were four rifles, nine handguns and a switchblade knife. They also found a Taser and night vision goggles.

The vehicle also had flashing emergency headlights, a siren and a public address system, the WSP said.

Officers also recovered a small amount of marijuana and a marijuana pipe. The vehicle was seized.

Popper achieved fame as a harmonica player and frontman for Blues Traveler. The band won a Grammy award in 1996 for the song “Run-around,” which Popper composed.

Popper recently formed a group called The John Popper Project with DJ Logic.