In the District of Columbia, seat of the United States Government, the possession of firearms is prohibited.
The Capitol Police reported that its agents confiscated this Friday an automatic rifle, with a telescopic sight and extended magazine, in the vicinity of the United States Congress.
In the early hours of the morning, agents guarding the headquarters of Congress sighted the rifle, partially wrapped in a blanket, in the back seat of a large Ford pickup, an agency statement said.
“The rifle was seized and taken to a facility where the police department inspects delivery vehicles before they enter Capitol grounds,” it added.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Michael J. Donohue, age 57 and domiciled in the neighboring state of Maryland.
Donohue now faces charges for possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of unregistered ammunition and illegal activity.
The Capitol Police stated that “at this point there is no evidence that this person was going to attack Congress or the Capitol buildings“.
Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger noted that “this incident serves as another reminder that all weapons are prohibited on Capitol grounds“.
In the District of Columbia, seat of the United States Government, the possession of firearms is prohibited and the controls are even stricter around the buildings where federal agencies are based.