Congressional staffer arrested for bringing gun to Capitol office

WASHINGTON, July 18 (UPI) -- Capitol Police arrested the press secretary of a Republican congressman Friday when he entered a House-side office building carrying a handgun.

Ryan Shucard, the press secretary for Rep. Tom Marino, R-Pa., was found carrying a 9mm Smith & Wesson pistol and magazine when he tried to go through security at the Cannon office building at approximately 9:15 a.m., said Capitol Police spokeswoman Lt. Kimberly Schneider.

All people entering buildings on the Capitol Hill complex are required to pass through metal detectors and send bags through an x-ray belt, although members of Congress are generally allowed to pass through without a check.

Shucard was placed on indefinite unpaid leave from his office and has been charged with carrying a pistol without a license, a felony.

A spokesman for Marino's office said they are cooperating with law enforcement, but were told by Capitol Police that they believe Shucard appeared to bring the weapon with him to work by accident, not with malicious intent.