SWANSEA — After questioning a man walking on Wilbur Avenue with a black backpack just after 2 a.m. Wednesday, police discovered he was in possession of a shotgun, flare guns and ammunition.

Swansea police Officers Daniel Walsh and Jared Ulak saw Nicholas Braga, 30, of 2 Mount Hope Ave., on Wilbur Avenue, where there has been recent criminal activity, including car break-ins, assaults and disorderly parties.

Braga was discovered to have an active warrant from Fall River District Court for failing to appear for probation violations.

Police said Braga resisted being taken into custody. He was brought to the ground and, after a struggle, was handcuffed.

While being frisked, Braga was asked if he had any weapons and told the officers, “Yes, I have weapons, but they’re for my own protection,” according to a release from police.

Police said Braga does not have a license to carry a firearm.

The officers opened the backpack and saw the double barrel of what appeared to be a sawed-off shotgun. Also in the backpack were two orange flare guns that were both taped with black electrical tape so that the barrel of the flare gun could not be opened.

Braga told the officers that the flare guns were loaded. Police Sgt. Richard Roussel confirmed that the flare guns had some type of projectile in the chamber and barrel. Also in the backpack were five rounds of 12-gauge shotgun ammunition, an LED flashlight, a plastic bag containing a pair of black gloves, another plastic bag containing a pair of gloves, a few cellphones and a wallet.

Walsh also located another flare gun in the right front cargo pocket of Braga’s shorts.

Braga was transported to the Swansea Police Department for booking. The flare guns were taken apart for safety reasons and it was determined that they were fitted with .45-caliber and .38-caliber handgun rounds.

Braga was transported to the New Bedford House of Correction on Ash Street.

He is scheduled to be arraigned on charges Wednesday at Fall River Second District Court.

Braga was charged with a default warrant, resisting arrest, possession of a sawed-off shotgun, possession of a firearm without an FID card, possession of ammunition without an FID card and three counts of carrying a firearm without a license (flare guns).