Capitol Police Stop Assault Rifle From Reaching Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON — An assault rifle with an extended magazine was confiscated Thursday morning at a delivery facility for the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Capitol Police said.
A department screening team at the off-site delivery facility spotted the gun, which was partially wrapped in a blanket, in the back seat of a large pickup truck and seized it before it reached the Capitol grounds.
Though the investigation into the incident is ongoing, the department’s public information office said there is no evidence the individual driving the truck was targeting Congress or the Capitol Complex.
“Still, this serves as yet another reminder that all weapons are prohibited from Capitol Grounds,” said U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger.
“I thank our entire team at the off-site screening facility for stopping this gun before it came anywhere near the U.S. Capitol Complex,” Manger said.
The driver, 57-year-old Michael J. Donohue, of Maryland, is facing charges for Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, Possession of Unregistered Ammunition, and Unlawful Activity.
Last year, U.S. Capitol Police officers confiscated roughly 40 guns on or near Capitol Grounds — most of them from people driving through the area.
The department is reminding the public this morning that even if you have a gun that is legally registered in another state, it is still illegal to bring it onto Capitol Grounds.
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