A Capitol Hill intern was arrested on Monday morning for bringing an unloaded gun into a House office building.
Joshua Wheeler, a 25 year old from Kansas, was detained by United States Capitol Police after he entered the Longworth House Office Building with an unloaded Smith and Wesson 9 millimeter handgun. Wheeler started working as an intern for GOP Rep. Lynn Jenkins from his home state of Kansas last month.
Lieutenant Kimberly Schneider, the spokeswoman for the Capitol Police, told CNN Wheeler was charged with carrying a pistol without a license, and an unregistered firearm. The main entrance to the Longworth building, which is across the street from the United States Capitol, was briefly closed down after the regular security search all aides and visitors go through to access the building turned up the gun brought in by Wheeler.
Jenkin’s spokesman told CNN the incident was an “an accident” and their office was cooperating with the police.
“Mr. Wheeler used poor judgment and was immediately placed on temporary leave as soon as we were informed of the arrest,” Tom Brandt told CNN in a written statement on Monday.
