Capitol Police Arrest Webb Aide on Gun Charges
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, March 26, 2007; 5:48 PM
An aide to Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) was charged this morning with trying to carry a loaded pistol into the Russell Senate Office building, Capitol Police said.
The gun was discovered as the staffer passed through an x-ray machine at the C Street entrance at about 10:30 a.m., said Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, spokeswoman for the Capitol Police. He also had with him two fully loaded magazines, police said.
  Sen. James Webb, D-Va., gestures during an address at the National Press Club in Washington, Thursday, March 22, 2007. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (Susan Walsh - AP) Online Resources
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He was arrested and charged with carrying a pistol without a license, as well as being in possession of an unregistered firearm and unregistered ammunition.
In a prepared statement, Webb's office identified the man as Phillip Thompson, and said he is a former Marine.
"To our knowledge, this incident was an oversight by the Senator's aide," said communications director Jessica Smith. "Phillip Thompson is a former Marine, a long-term friend and trusted employee of the Senator. We are still awaiting facts."
D.C. law prohibits persons other than law enforcement officials from carrying handguns in the city.
