Man Arrested After Bringing Unloaded Handgun to US Capitol
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iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — Word to the wise: Do not bring a gun to the U.S. Capitol or you will be arrested.
That’s what happened on Monday when U.S. Capitol Police arrested 25-year-old Joshua Wheeler, of Atchison, Kansas, as he entered the building in possession of an unloaded gun, authorities said.
As Wheeler attempted to enter the Longworth House Office Building — where more than 100 lawmakers have their Congressional offices — he submitted to an administrative search required for entry into all Congressional Office Buildings. That’s when officers discovered an unloaded Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun.
Aside from members of Congress, anyone entering any buildings within the Capitol complex is required to be screened by magnetometers.
Wheeler was charged with carrying a pistol without a license and possessing an unregistered firearm.
U.S. Capitol Police spokeswoman Lt. Kimberly Schneider said Wheeler did not have any ammunition with him. He is currently being processed at USCP headquarters on Capitol Hill, authorities said.
Last summer, in a stretch of six days, officers caught two individuals bringing firearms into the Capitol.
Capitol Police have had their own share of issues with firearms, including three separate embarrassing incidents this year when officers left firearms unattended in the Capitol’s public restrooms.
U.S. Capitol Police Chief Kim Dine told lawmakers last month that “additional training on what to do when you have to go to the bathroom” is being administered to officers.
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