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.