An aide in the House of Representatives was arrested Thursday morning for allegedly carrying a gun inside of Congress.
The individual has been detained, and Capitol Police stated that there is no threat.
“This morning at approximately 7:40 a.m., our officers in the Longworth Building spotted the image of a handgun in a bag on the x-ray screen,” said the Capitol Police in a statement. “The man was tracked down four minutes later and arrested.”
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The alleged owner of the bag and firearm was identified as Jeffrey Allbrooks, who works with the House Chief Administrative Office. Allbrooks told Capitol Police he forgot the firearm was in there.
Allbrooks is being charged with carrying a pistol without a license.
U.S. Capitol Police sent out an email Thursday morning stating that there was a “security threat” inside of Longworth, asking staff to take necessary precautions.
US Capitol Police send email warning of “security threat” inside Longworth House Office Building pic.twitter.com/FiOvjsgUkH
— John R Parkinson (@jparkABC) December 9, 2021
Other reporters within Longworth reported intercoms going off about a security threat. Within 10 minutes, the security threat alert ended.
UPDATE | The security threat ended. The Intercom says it’s all clear now.
Earlier security guards seemed to be looking for a suspicious person. They asked one of the ABC staff members who was with me if she had just entered the building or not. pic.twitter.com/JhNtocU6gu
— Em Nguyen (@EmNewsDC) December 9, 2021
Capitol Police said that the case “remains under investigation” and that it is looking into what happened during those four minutes between Allbrooks entering and the arrest.
The penalty for possession of an unregistered firearm or ammunition carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Aides being arrested on charges of bringing firearms on-site has happened before. Several aides have been arrested over the years for bringing firearms to the Capitol.
