Red flag law ruling against abduction suspect in 36-hour standoff in Fairfax County

FAIRFAX, Va. — A judge in Fairfax County granted a civil order to temporarily prohibit Brittany Copelin from possessing, purchasing or transporting firearms. 

The 29-year-old woman has been in jail without bond since she was arrested after a 36-hour standoff with Fairfax County police in late March. She is accused of kidnapping her ex-girlfriend -- Lauren Kingsbury -- from Maryland, who was reported missing by her mother.

Officials found Kingsbury in Fairfax County a few days after she was last seen in Laurel, Maryland. A brief chase with police ended with Copelin reportedly barricading herself on Richmond Highway, which was shut down during the standoff.

Nearly a dozen of Copelin's family and friends gathered in a courtroom on Thursday for a red flag law hearing, prompted by an emergency substantial risk order.

During the hearing, Detective Amanda Parris testified how she communicated with Copelin using her mother’s cell phone. She said Copelin repeatedly asked to speak to her mother and wanted to say goodbye. Parris said she saw Copelin hold a gun against her forehead multiple times.

Parris said she switched with another crisis negotiator when Copelin began hurling insults.

Judge Manuel Capsalis agreed with Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Keith Corley who argued Copelin is a significant threat to herself and others. Authorities can issue a search warrant if there is reason to believe all of the firearms were not relinquished.

Defense attorney Darwyn Easley argued against the substantial risk order because his client is already in jail. Easley said Copelin was “having a really, really bad day.”

“I’d rather have a bad day for someone without a gun than someone with a gun,” Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano responded. 

Descano said his office has a specialized unit of three attorneys who focus on red flag laws, which passed in Virginia a few years ago.

“About 75% of substantial risk orders in the entire Commonwealth come from Fairfax County,” Descano said. “Take a look at what’s happened across the country just in the last week. People are getting shot for no reason. To have a tool like the red flag law and to have to the ability to have a court take the guns out of someone’s hands for a period of time is a huge deal.”

Descano said although Copelin is still in jail, it is better to be safe than sorry. Prosecutors will likely re-visit the order before the 180 days expire.

The following concerned individuals can request an emergency substantial risk order:

Fairfax County’s description of the law clarifies that while a range of people can request an emergency substantial risk order, the official petition for an ESRO before the court must come from a Commonwealth Attorney or a police officer. They advise contacting the local police department’s non-emergency line or calling or texting 911 in an emergency to begin the process.