House Republican charged after gun found in carry-on bag at airport: report

Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) has been charged with a weapons violation for reportedly having a gun in her carry-on luggage at Washington Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia.

A TSA spokesperson told WISHTV that “on Friday, June 28, TSA officers at IAD (the three-letter code for Dulles) detected a .380 caliber firearm during passenger security screening. The firearm was unloaded and in the individual’s carry-on bag.” Spartz, a Ukrainian-American lawmaker who represents the northern suburbs of Indianapolis, has been served with a summons to appear in court in Virginia, according to the report.

According to Spartz's office, the handgun accidentally ended up in her bag while she was flying to an overseas meeting involving the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

This is not the first time that Spartz, who threatened to resign her seat last year before backing off, has come under controversy.

Last month, reports indicated the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into complaints that Spartz abused staffers working in her office. Some accused her of having periodic fits of violent rage, during which she purportedly threw furniture at aides. One former staffer described Spartz's behavior behind closed doors as "manic" and "verbally abrasive, if not borderline abusive."

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Reports also indicated that around the time Spartz became aware of an investigation, she texted staffers a vague threat of retaliation if they came forward, saying, “If you feel strongly to badmouth me I am ok with it … but please do not use some made up speculations that could put someone’s life in danger … it’s unethical and will not serve you well in the future.”

Spartz is also not the only Republican lawmaker to be caught with a gun in their bag while trying to get through airport security. Former Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC), who was ultimately ousted after North Carolina Republicans turned on him over the constant drama, was busted on multiple occasions trying to carry on a handgun.