Congressional Staffer Arrested After Loaded Gun Found In Bag

The U.S. Capitol building is seen Saturday, Nov., 19, 2011, in Washington. The six Democrats and six Republicans of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, often called the Supercommittee, have until next We... The U.S. Capitol building is seen Saturday, Nov., 19, 2011, in Washington. The six Democrats and six Republicans of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, often called the Supercommittee, have until next Wednesday, Nov. 23, to come together on a deficit-cutting plan. Should they not, Congress will face a crummy choice. Lawmakers can allow payroll tax cuts and jobless aid for millions to expire or they extend them and increase the nation's $15 trillion debt by at least $160 billion. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) MORE LESS
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Capitol Police say they have arrested a congressional staff member who tried to enter a Senate office building with a loaded handgun.

A Capitol Police spokeswoman says Christopher Carpenter of Stafford, Virginia was arrested on Tuesday when routine x-ray screening revealed a loaded 9mm handgun in a backpack.

Capt. Kimberly Schneider said Carpenter was charged with unlawful activities, possession of an unregistered firearm and unregistered ammunition.

Carpenter works for the Senate Sergeant at Arms, the chamber’s protocol and chief law enforcement officer. The office is also responsible for most administrative issues in the Senate.

A spokeswoman for that office said Carpenter is the manager of the office that processes Senate identification badges and would eventually return to work.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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