(Rep. John) Shimkus (R-IL) Apologizes for Capitol "Misunderstanding"

[VolcanoJen]

Whoops! Over-zealous staff, consumed with Halloween revelry, puts Washington at a standstill... :-)

http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_303230200.html

WASHINGTON (AP) A plastic revolver and Halloween costume had Illinois Congressman John Shimkus apologizing Thursday for two of his aides who were involved in a reported security breach that shut down the House of Representatives.

"This was an unfortunate misunderstanding, a result of my staff's efforts to put together a Halloween costume during their lunch hour," the fourth-term Collinsville Republican said in a statement.

"The staffers wish to convey their deepest regrets to all members, fellow staff and visitors to Washington who were inconvenienced by this incident," he added.

[Paschall]

1. I guess it could have been worse, Rep. Shimkus

Your aides could have come into the Capitol dressed as envelopes leaking white powder, huh?

[VolcanoJen]

2. More from the original, now-updated WP Article

It would seem the Congressional Aide is an "Alias" fan.

I'm sorry, but what kind of idiot thinks it's harmless to bring even a plastic .38 caliber revolver into a House Office Building? And, how on earth could it have been missed??

Gun Scare Locks Down House Offices

The commotion at the Cannon House Office Building began just after 1 p.m. when a distracted security officer spotted the image of what appeared to be a snub-nosed revolver on her X-ray machine -- after the bags' owners had passed the security area. Within minutes, police were racing through the building, searching halls, offices and closets for a gunman.

The five-story building was locked down, underground tunnels were closed and the U.S. House of Representatives was thrown into recess as the drama continued. Then it suddenly came to an end: Watching live television reports, two staffers from the office of Rep. John M. Shimkus (R-Ill.) suspected that they were the reason the SWAT teams were summoned. They contacted U.S. Capitol Police, who said the two meant no harm.

The weapon seen on the X-ray machine turned out to be a plastic .38-caliber revolver, intended to help one of the women portray "Alias" television character Sydney Bristow at a Halloween party. No charges were filed against the women, who apologized to police.

Despite the outcome, the episode revealed a real security threat: A gunman could have gotten past the X-ray machine and three security officers meant to protect the more than 100 House members and their staff working in one of three office buildings across the street from the Capitol.

[TAH6988]

6. It was missed

because most (not all) of the Capitol Police are morons.

[RuB]

3. I knew it was a Republican by the way only Republicans

out front in front of the camera's. A Republican creates the problem and then stand in front of America reassuring America all is well. Damn that liberal media for always showing the Republican point of view!

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. Thank god they were repugs

If it was some dem staffers, the rep would be impeached and the staffers would be heading for Gitmo.

[Mikimouse]

5. Meant no harm, eh?

Now, let me see...they are certainly not as dangerous as that 9 year old kid that was arrested yesterday for having a plastic gun in public. And the mother was probably guilty of contributing to the delinquency of a minor for providing the gun (she was arrested as well). But, but, but... they were obviously dangerous and they could have been terra'ists! Oh yeah, a kid with a plastic gun, and a woman with a head full of curlers; that's real danger! Since I have no coroboration on the demographics involved, I won't comment further, but will say this: I understood from one of the posters here that the kid and Mom were African American-now, that would explain a lot!:puke: :mad:

[Barney]

7. I feel sorry for one of them

The two Republican staffers involved in this are female.

The original media reports, broadcast everywhere in DC, said police were looking for one white MALE and one white female.

May be time for a makeover!

[rocktivity]

8. What gets me about all this is that they'd ALREADY LEFT THE BUILDING

and might still be at large if they hadn't figured out that all the fuss was about them. They certainly should have been more sensitive about bringing a toy weapon into a goverment building in this day and age. But it should have been discovered on its way in, not out. At least some good out of it--they know now that the public address system in the building needs work!


rocknation

[UTUSN]

9. Bwahahaha---But HOW Much Did This Wingnut Screw-up COST?

Shutting down the building, security gone wild, etc.

[demnan]

10. The people at fault were the police officers

If you have any questionable items on hand seen through the xray you are asked to show your bags to the officer. This happened to me once while I worked on the Hill (at the Longworth Building). My cell phone looked like a gun through the xray for some reason and I was stopped and my purse examined. But the xray machine does no good unless the officer looks at it while the person can be stopped and the goods examined.

They have the worst security at Cannon building that was true when I worked on the hill. There is no area where you can be searched through a cooridor area like they have in the Rayburn and Longworth buildings. And for some reason it always seems like the most lax security people work at Cannon as well.