Filed by Seattle Times staff reporter Lewis Kamb

After arresting a man who allegedly pointed a gun at two people outside a Belltown nightclub late Thursday, Seattle police say they found and confiscated 16 pistols and several knives from man's apartment.

Police received the call about 11:30 p.m., from someone complaining that a man was brandishing a pistol while standing on a balcony near Bell Street and Second Avenue.

"The individual had reportedly pointed the gun across the street toward two individuals playing loud music in their vehicle, which was parked in front of the nightclubs across the street," Seattle police spokesman Renee Witt said.

After officers located the man's apartment in the 2200 block of 2nd Avenue, they set up containment around the building and shut down 2nd Avenue between Bell Street and Blanchard Street.

Police learned from the apartment manager that man, who's in his 50s and lives there alone, might have a history of mental issues or substance abuse issues or both, Witt said.

Once police convinced the man to come out of his apartment, they arrested him without incident, Witt said. Officers then recovered a loaded black semi-automatic pistol from a table inside the apartment, she said.

"The suspect stated he was upset that the men were playing loud music, so he started yelling to attract their attention," Witt said.

The man was booked into King County Jail for investigation of unlawful use of weapons.

While clearing the apartment, police "located sixteen pistols, not counting the one the suspect had allegedly brandished," Witt said.

Police took all the guns, and several knives found in the apartment, into evidence, she said.