Aide to Gunslinging Senator Arrested

Oops (from Drudge):

SENATE STAFFER BUSTED FOR CARRYING WEBB'S LOADED GUN: Phillip Thompson, executive assistant to Senator James Webb (D-VA ), has been arrested by Capitol Hill Police on Monday for 'inadvertently' holding the senator's loaded gun, according to a person close to the investigation. A Senate staffer reports that Thompson was arrested for carrying the gun in a bag through security at the Russell Senate Office building while the Senator was parking his car. Thompson was booked for carrying a pistol without a license (CPWL) and for possessing unregistered ammunition.

Statement by Jessica Smith, Webb Communications Director:

"To our knowledge, this incident was an oversight by the Senator's aide. Phillip Thompson is a former Marine, a long-term friend and trusted employee of the Senator. We are still awaiting facts."

I always try to remember when I'm carrying a loaded firearm for someone else. It saves a lot of embarassment.