Webb: Aide's Gun Arrest "Unfortunate"

(CBS/AP)  Phillip Thompson, an aide to Virginia Democrat Jim Webb, pleaded not guilty to weapons charges after he was accused of entering a Senate office building with a loaded pistol.

Thompson was released on his own recognizance after his lawyer entered the plea. He's charged with carrying a pistol without a license and carrying an unregistered firearm and unregistered ammunition.

Authorities say Thompson was arrested Monday when he entered the office building with a loaded pistol and two other loaded magazines in a briefcase that he placed on an X-ray machine. He's quoted in court documents as saying the weapon belonged to Webb.

Sen. Jim Webb said Tuesday that the arrest was "enormously unfortunate" and "unintentional."

Webb refused to say flat out that it was his gun but made it clear that he is sometimes armed, CBS News correspondent Bob Fuss reports.

He wouldn't say how his aide ended up carrying the gun into the Capitol, but suggested it was a mix-up involving various bags left behind when he flew out of town.

Webb said that because Thompson was being arraigned Tuesday, he can't specifically discuss the case.

Capitol police have said the weapon was revealed when Thompson went through an X-ray machine Monday at an entrance of the Russell Senate Office Building.

Capitol Police spokeswoman Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said the aide was charged with carrying a pistol without a license and possessing an unregistered firearm and unregistered ammunition.

Webb's office said Monday that Thompson was "a former Marine, a long-term friend and trusted employee of the senator."

A congressional official briefed on the incident said Webb gave the gun to Thompson when the assistant drove him to an airport earlier in the day. Thompson, upon entering the Senate building, forgot he was carrying the weapon.

[gunnerv1]

When the DemocRats are in power, only the "right" people will be allowed to own guns. Problem is, who gets to define who are the "right" people and what is the criteria for being the "right" people. It sure ain't going to be us.

[gunownerdan]

a-human-right.com

[zootallures2]

"Phillip Thompson is 10 yards out, do the orders still stand?"

[realpatriot1]

notblue,

I don't know what poll you're looking at(FoxNews?), my poll was taken on election day.That's the one that counts until the next election...is that logical enough for you?

Using your iron-clad logic, Hagel is a coward and only cares about his job because he doesn't agree with you and in order to survive politically he needs to attack a President more popular than him(according to you).

Before you call Sen. Hagel a coward, answer 1 question-how many times have you risked your life to pull a buddy out of a burning vehicle? Please don't embellish like Bush with his Air National Guard service.

[realpatriot1]

Okay Biddad, it wasn't an oversight it was a grand conspiracy. At any rate, the guy was arrested and nobody's whining about it like you conservatives did over Clinton's BJ or the current administration obstructing justice.

The truth is if it was a Republican they would be asserting their constitutional rights and the arrest would be a liberal witch hunt.

[iiffv]

Underfunded for a long time, I'll agree but HIDING casualties and overfilling a hospital due to be shutdown with 2 planeloads of casualties a night takes indifference to new heights.
Posted by homespunlady at 07:54 PM : Mar 27, 2007

Or new lows. The VA hospitals have gotten a little better since the Viet Nam era. They were an absolute horror show then. Now, maybe we are up to a noghtmare. It's good to know that you are aware of the fact that Walter Reed is on the chopping block. Private funds, from some decent businessmen, just built a new re-hab facility, I think in TX. God bless em'! I love my country but don't care much for the govt' That mis-manages it.

[homespunlady]

Underfunded for a long time, I'll agree but HIDING casualties and overfilling a hospital due to be shutdown with 2 planeloads of casualties a night takes indifference to new heights.

[iiffv]

Isn't shooting someone in the face a Jailable offense? How about shooting them in the face "after a few drinks"? Guess there's a DOUBLE STANDARD ALL AROUND.
But I can see the poor guy being used as a pawn to force concessions behind the scene. If this Executive Branch can condone torturing children they certainly won't blink at blackmail over some guy's brain dump. Heck we all can see how they care for our VETS at Walter-Reed.
Posted by homespunlady at 07:31 PM : Mar 27, 2007

The major problem, as far as veteran's care is concerned, is that the VA has been underfunded for as long as I can remember. No administration or party is innocent on this subject.

[homespunlady]

Isn't shooting someone in the face a Jailable offense? How about shooting them in the face "after a few drinks"? Guess there's a DOUBLE STANDARD ALL AROUND.
But I can see the poor guy being used as a pawn to force concessions behind the scene. If this Executive Branch can condone torturing children they certainly won't blink at blackmail over some guy's brain dump. Heck we all can see how they care for our VETS at Walter-Reed.

[iiffv]

I wonder why a Democrat finds it necessary to carry a gun in self-defense...with an ample supply of ammunition, too.

I though everyone "loves" a Democrat.

Maybe it isn't true after all.

Maybe it never was true.
Posted by One_American at 07:21 PM : Mar 27, 2007

EVERYONE needs to carry a gun. Why else are so many made? Can't just let criminals have em'.