A Senate staffer working for Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) has been arrested after he was caught carrying a gun into the U.S. Capitol without a license.
Police said Tuesday that the staffer was arrested after being escorted into the U.S. Capitol by a member of Congress.
In a statement, the United States Capitol Police said:
“Yesterday afternoon, a Member of Congress led an ID’ed staff member around security screening at the Hart Senate Office Building.
“Later that evening, outside the Senate Galleries, the IDed staff member — who is a retired law enforcement officer — told our officers he was armed.”
“The staff member, 59-year-old Kevin A. Batts of New Jersey, was arrested for Carrying a Pistol Without a License,” the statement continued.
“All weapons are prohibited from Capitol Grounds, even if you are a retired law enforcement officer or have a permit to carry in another state or the District of Columbia.”
Batts is listed as a “Special Assistant” to Booker on Legistorm.
Legistorm is a research entity that routinely updates salaries and information about lawmakers and their staff.
In a statement, Booker spokesperson Jeff Giertz said:
“Senator Booker’s office employs a retired Newark police detective as a