A congressional intern was arrested Monday by U.S. Capitol Police after he tried to enter the Longworth House Office Building with an unloaded handgun, NBC News reported.
Joshua Wheeler of Atchison, Kansas, was arrested as he entered the New Jersey & C Street entrance, Lieutenant Kimberly Schneider, the Public Information Officer for the Capitol Police, said.
Police discovered an unloaded Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun after Wheeler, 25, submitted to an administrative search required for entry into Congressional Office Buildings.
Wheeler was charged with carrying a pistol without a license and unregistered firearm. He is being processed at USCP Headquarters.
He has been an intern for House Republican Conference Vice Chair Lynn Jenkins since May 18, her office confirmed to NBC News.
"It is our current understanding this was an accident and we are in full cooperation with Capitol Police to resolve the situation. Mr. Wheeler used poor judgment and was immediately placed on temporary leave as soon as we were informed of the arrest," Jenkins' Communications Director Thomas W. Brandt told NBC News by email.
