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Capitol police officers arrested a staffer for Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) on Monday for allegedly carrying a handgun on Capitol ground without a permit.
In a statement provided to The Hill, the police confirmed that “Yesterday afternoon a Member of Congress led an IDed staff member around security screening at the Hart Senate Office Building.” The statement further explained that “the IDed staff member – who is a retired law enforcement officer – told our officers he was armed.”
Theindividualhasbeenidentifiedas59-year-oldKevinA.Batts,TheHillreported.“AllweaponsareprohibitedfromCapitolGrounds,evenifyouarearetiredlawenforcementofficer,orhaveapermittocarryinanotherstateortheDistrictofColumbia,”Capitolpolicesaid.
NOTUSsawpolicearrestingBattsonMondayevening.“SenatorBooker’sofficeemploysaretiredNewarkpolicedetectiveasaNewJersey-baseddriverwhooftenaccompanieshimtoevents.Weareworkingtobetterunderstandthecircumstancesaroundthis,”Booker’sspokespersontoldthenewsoutlet.
CarryingafirearmonU.S.Capitolgroundswithoutalicenseisafederaloffense.Thelaw
