UTICA — Two men are accused of fighting with police officers after a handgun was found during a traffic stop on Mohawk Street Monday night, according to the Utica Police Department.

Police said a vehicle was pulled over for several vehicle and traffic violations on Mohawk Street near Bleecker Street at about 9:50 p.m. Nov. 28. Police said the backseat passenger, 23-year-old Thomas Lopez, of Utica, was found to have an active arrest warrant, and he was told to get out of the vehicle.

Lopez then pulled out a loaded, .40-caliber handgun and passed it to the front seat passenger, 43-year-old Michael Reed, also of Utica, authorities stated.

Reed refused multiple commands to drop the gun and officers attempted to take both men into custody, police said. While struggling with Reed and the weapon, authorities said Lopez attempted to choke out one of the officers from behind.

One officer used an electric stun gun on Lopez, but police said it did not work because of his heavy clothing.

Officers said they were able to remove both men from the vehicle and they were taken to the ground to complete their arrests.

It was later learned that the handgun had been reported stolen out of the State of Georgia.

Both Lopez and Reed are charged with one count each of second-degree possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, fourth-degree possession of stolen property and resisting arrest, as well as two counts of third-degree possession of a weapon, police said. Lopez is additionally charged with the outstanding warrant, and Reed is additionally charged with seventh-degree possession of a controlled substance, authorities stated. Both men are scheduled to appear in Utica City Court.

The driver of the vehicle, whose identity was not released, was ticketed for the vehicle and traffic violations, police said.