GOP congressional staffer arrested for bringing handgun into Capitol office building

A congressional staffer was arrested Friday morning after carrying a handgun into a Capitol office building.

Ryan Shucard, the press secretary for Rep. Tom Marino (R-PA), was charged with carrying a pistol without a license, a felony, reported Roll Call.

Capitol police said Shucard had a 9mm handgun and magazine when he arrived about 9:15 a.m. for work at the Cannon House Office building.

The weapon was found during a search required for entry to the building, police said.

Anyone entering Cannon must step through metal detectors and place their bags through an X-ray machine, even those who hold staff ID badges.

Shucard was immediately placed on unpaid leave by Marino’s office.

A staffer for then-Sen. James Webb (D-VA) was arrested in 2007 for trying to bring a weapon that belonged to Webb into the Russell State Office Building.

[Image: 9 mm handgun isolated on white via Shutterstock]