Thread: Capitol Police: Man arrested after bringing gun to Senate office building

Capitol Police: Man arrested after bringing gun to Senate office building

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By Tim Devaney - 12/01/15 01:23 PM EST

U.S. Capitol Police say they arrested a man Tuesday after he was caught bringing a gun into a Senate office building.

Christopher Carpenter was arrested inside the Dirksen Senate office building when Capitol Police officers spotted a loaded handgun inside his backpack during a routine security check.

Carpenter, who lives in Stafford, Va., was charged with unlawful activities, as well as possession of an unregistered firearm and unregistered ammunition.

Capitol Police confirmed that Carpenter is a Senate Sergeant at Arms employee.

The incident occurred around 7 a.m.

Updated at 1:50 p.m.

http://thehill.com/regulation/261650...ffice-building

U.S. Senate employee arrested, found with loaded 9mm gun in backpack

POSTED 6:02 PM, DECEMBER 2, 2015,
BY CNN WIRE SERVICE



WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Capitol Police arrested a Senate employee at 7 a.m. Tuesday who had a loaded 9mm gun in a backpack as he went through security at the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

The gun was detected by an x-ray machine as part of normal security screening for people entering buildings on the congressional campus, according to Capitol Police Captain Kimberly Schneider.

Christopher Carpenter of Stafford, Virginia, was charged with unlawful activities and possession of unregistered firearms and ammunition.

Carpenter is the manager of the Senate ID office, which processes ID badges for people who work on the Hill, according to an official familiar with the situation.

He will be on annual leave while law enforcement completes processing the charges and will then return to work, the official said.

Carpenter works for the Senate Sergeant of Arms, who oversees security in the Senate and handles other administrative duties.

http://fox6now.com/2015/12/02/u-s-se...n-in-backpack/

Well, I can certainly understand why he might feel he needs his gun for protection to defend himself. I'm a little confused that the Capitol Police don't recognize the 2nd Amendment on Capitol Hill. Is anyone else confused by this?!

PROHIBITED ITEMS: U.S. CAPITOL BUILDING

In order to ensure the safety of visitors and staff and to preserve the collections, facilities and historic buildings and grounds some items are prohibited at the U.S. Capitol.

Visitors to the U.S. Capitol are screened by a magnetometer, and all items that are permitted inside the building are screened by an x-ray device. Visitors should keep their belongings with them at all times as unattended items may result in a disruption of service at the Capitol.

The following items are strictly prohibited in the Capitol, including the Capitol Visitor Center:

• Liquid, including water
• Food or beverage of any kind, including fruit and unopened packaged food
• Aerosol containers
• Non-aerosol sprays (Prescriptions for medical needs are permitted.)
• Any pointed object, e.g., knitting needles and letter openers (Pens and pencils are permitted.)
• Any bag larger than 18” wide x 14” high x 8.5” deep
• Electric stun guns, martial arts weapons or devices
• Guns, replica guns, ammunition and fireworks
• Knives of any size
• Mace and pepper spray
• Razors and box cutters

Please note that the U.S. Capitol Police are authorized to make exceptions if a prohibited item is determined to be necessary and required to serve child care, medical or other special needs.If you have questions, please call the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services at 202.224.4048.

The following items are not allowed in the Senate and House Galleries:

• Battery-operated electronic devices (medical devices are permitted)
• Cameras
• Cans and bottles
• Creams, lotions or perfume
• Packages, briefcases, backpacks or suitcases
• Strollers
• Video recorders or any type of recording device

Each Gallery operates a checkstand where visitors may store these items securely while they are visiting that Gallery.
Also, note that smoking is not permitted anywhere in the Capitol, and food and drink are only allowed in the Capitol Visitor Center Restaurant.

http://www.aoc.gov/prohibited-items-us-capitol-building

This office worker wasn't in the US Capitol Building, he was arrested at the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Originally Posted by Judy

This office worker wasn't in the US Capitol Building, he was arrested at the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

All of the major buildings have similar rules.

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

All of the major buildings have similar rules.

Okay, I can agree with the US Capitol Building, I have no problem with that because of the national treasures and artifacts, but the office buildings that don't, well, how do these workers protect themselves? I think the only places where guns would not be allowed should be the Capitol, Supreme Court, White House, Museums, Library of Congress. All other office buildings and places of work should allow 2nd Amendment Rights at least on some level. Otherwise, everyone is a sitting duck target for a lunatic.

Originally Posted by Judy

Okay, I can agree with the US Capitol Building, I have no problem with that because of the national treasures and artifacts, but the office buildings that don't, well, how do these workers protect themselves? I think the only places where guns would not be allowed should be the Capitol, Supreme Court, White House, Museums, Library of Congress. All other office buildings and places of work should allow 2nd Amendment Rights at least on some level. Otherwise, everyone is a sitting duck target for a lunatic.

O.K. But they don't let YOU make the rules for D.C.
They seem to want to do that themselves.

BUT...

possession of an unregistered firearm and unregistered ammunition.

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

O.K. But they don't let YOU make the rules for D.C.
They seem to want to do that themselves.

John, the Capitol. Police is a federal government police force and has absolutely nothing to do with "DC", so yes, we do get to make the rules, it's our government, these are our buildings, and these are our employees.

Nothing associated with the federal government is subject to the District of Columbia. Quite the opposite, the District of Columbia is subject to the US government.