A Co Antrim man allegedly had a deactivated gun, carving knife and claw hammer in his car, a court has heard.
Hugh Anthony Butler was arrested earlier this week as part of what his lawyer described as an intelligence operation.
The 36-year-old, from the Antrim Road in Newtownabbey, is charged with possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
He also faces counts of possessing a bladed article and an offensive weapon in a public place.
Appearing in the dock at Belfast Magistrates' Court, Butler declined to stand as the allegations were put to him.
An investigating detective said the items were found in a car registered to the accused which was parked outside a house on the Carnmoney Road, Newtownabbey on Tuesday.
The deactivated pistol was on the front passenger seat, while the knife and hammer were in the vehicle's footwell area.
Butler was arrested after he exited the house in an aggressive and agitated state, police said.
Searches of a garage at the property recovered two other suspected guns, at least one of which was also deactivated. Butler is not charged with having either of those guns.
Defence counsel Declan Quinn said the pistol was found in full view, in an unlocked and unoccupied car.
The barrister stressed nothing was found when Butler's own home was searched.
Mr Quinn added: "One is not dealing with some criminal or paramilitary mastermind, we are dealing with someone who is a particularly vulnerable individual."
District Judge Fiona Bagnall refused bail and remanded Butler in custody to appear again by video-link in four weeks time.
