Capitol Staffer Arrested for Bringing Loaded Gun to Senate Office

— -- U.S. Capitol Police arrested an employee of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Tuesday morning for attempting to bring a loaded handgun into a Senate office building, a Capitol Police spokesperson confirmed Wednesday.

Christopher Carpenter of Stafford, Virginia was stopped by Capitol Police at the Northwest Door of the Dirksen Senate Office Building at 7 a.m. Tuesday after a loaded 9 millimeter gun was found in his backpack.

Carpenter, who is the manager of the Senate ID office, has been charged with unlawful activities and possession of an unregistered firearm and ammunition, the Capitol Police spokesperson said.

He has worked at the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms office for a year-and-a-half.

"While law enforcement completes their processing of the charges, Chris will be on annual leave before returning to work," a spokesperson for the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms said.

News of Carpenter's arrest was first reported by The Hill.