Maryland Man Arrested Near the Capitol For Possession of Rifle

The U.S. House of Representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, on March 23, 2023. (Richard Moore/The Epoch Times)

The U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) who are in charge of protecting the U.S. Capitol buildings, parks, and thoroughfares, arrested a Maryland man on April 14 near the Capitol buildings for possession of a rifle. USCP say they prevented the rifle, which had an extended magazine, from reaching the Capitol.

Although the driver, 57-year-old Michael J. Donohue is facing charges, the USCP said there is currently no evidence that Donohue was going to target the Capitol.

“Still, this serves as yet another reminder that all weapons are prohibited from Capitol Grounds,” said USCP Chief Tom Manger said in a written statement. “I thank our entire team at the off-site screening facility for stopping this gun before it came anywhere near the U.S. Capitol Complex.”

A USCP screening team spotted the rifle, even with it partially covered by a blanket in the back of a Ford truck, at an off-site delivery facility where the USCP inspects delivery vehicles before they get to Capitol grounds.

According to USCP, Donohue is “facing charges for possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of unregistered ammunition, and unlawful activity.”

It is illegal to bring a gun on or near Capitol Grounds, even if it is legally registered in another state. USCP say they confiscated nearly 40 guns near the Capitol last year.

In another recent incident, the USCP confiscated an M-4 style “ghost gun” and a “Glock handgun with a full auto switch” near the Senate Parks.

The Capitol Police consists of the Capitol Police Board, which includes the Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. Senate, the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives, and the Architect of the Capitol. The USCP can make arrests anywhere in the District of Columbia for violation of any U.S. law.