Massachusetts Man Arrested for Carrying Gun During U.S. Capitol Tour

A 27-year-old man from Massachusetts was arrested Tuesday after bringing a concealed handgun into the U.S. Capitol, where he took a tour of the building. The man faces several weapons charges, including carrying a pistol without a license, illegal possession of ammunition, and resisting arrest. The incident has prompted a review of Capitol Police’s security protocols.

The Arrest and Police Response

The man was apprehended after leaving the Library of Congress and walking toward his car. Capitol Police discovered the handgun concealed in his waistband during a search. Authorities confirmed that no one was harmed, and there was no evidence suggesting the man intended to harm Congress.

Following the arrest, a Capitol Police officer who allowed the man entry into the Capitol despite the security checkpoint alert has been suspended pending an investigation. Video footage showed the man entering the building after passing through a magnetometer that set off an alarm. The officer then conducted a secondary hand search but allowed him to proceed into the Capitol.

Security Breach and Response

The Capitol Police are taking the security breach seriously. In a statement, the department emphasized its commitment to maintaining high security standards and announced a full review of the incident. Additionally, mandatory refresher training on screening procedures will be implemented to ensure such an occurrence does not happen again.

House lawmakers who oversee the Capitol Police expressed disappointment over the failure and demanded a thorough review of visitor screening practices. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) and Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY), in a joint statement, emphasized the need to strengthen security measures and ensure this kind of breach never occurs again.

Charges Against the Suspect

The Massachusetts man faces multiple charges, including carrying a pistol without a license, possessing an unregistered firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, and resisting arrest. The investigation continues as Capitol Police work to determine how the security failure occurred and how to prevent future breaches.