Capitol Police arrested a staffer for Rep. Tom Marino Friday morning on charges of carrying a 9mm handgun and magazine into the Cannon House Office building.  

Ryan Shucard, the Pennsylvania Republican’s press secretary, was arrested around 9:15 a.m., according to Capitol Police spokeswoman Lt. Kimberly Schneider.  

Shucard entered the southeast door of Cannon with the weapon. The Smith & Wesson 9mm and magazine were found during the search required for entry into the building, according to Schneider. People entering Cannon, including those with staff identification badges, like Shucard, are required to step through metal detectors and place bags on the belt of an X-Ray machine.  

Shucard is charged with carrying a pistol without a license, a felony. He is currently being processed at Capitol Police headquarters.  

Schucard was immediately placed on unpaid leave from Marino’s office, chief of staff Bill Tighe told CQ Roll Call in a phone call. “That will last until we know more about the situation,” Tighe said.  

The office of House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving confirmed the arrest, and a brief closure at Cannon’s entrance.  

“Carrying weapons into the District of Columbia is a very serious offense,” an SAA official told CQ Roll Call, adding that there is no discretion for Capitol Hill employees and individuals should be aware of what is in their belonging.  

In 2007, a staffer for then-Sen. James Webb was arrested for trying to bring a loaded weapon (that belonged to his boss) into the Russell Senate Office Building.  

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