• A Massachusetts man was arrested for carrying a 9mm handgun during a tour of the U.S. Capitol.
• Authorities were alerted prior to the incident about his potential suicidal ideation on social media.
• After passing through security despite triggering an alarm, he was later found with the firearm.
• The officer who permitted his entry has been suspended pending investigation.
• Congress is demanding a thorough review of security procedures to prevent future breaches.

A security breach at the U.S. Capitol has led to the arrest of a 27-year-old man from Massachusetts who was found carrying a 9mm handgun after taking a tour of the building. This alarming incident unfolded on Tuesday when the man, previously flagged for expressing suicidal thoughts on social media, was tracked down by both the U.S. Secret Service and the Washington Metropolitan Police upon his arrival in the city. Although no weapon was discovered during their initial search, the individual was subsequently allowed entry into the Capitol Visitor Center despite triggering alarms during a security screening.

According to an official statement from the ABC News, Capitol Police reported that after the magnetometer alarm went off, an officer conducted a secondary hand search but still permitted him into the building. Following his tour, the man was found outside the Library of Congress with a handgun concealed in his waistband. He now faces several charges, including unlawful activities, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and resisting arrest.

Capitol Police stated that there was no evidence suggesting the man intended to harm members of Congress or others during his visit. However, the revelation that someone potentially suicidal could tour the Capitol while armed has raised significant concerns among lawmakers. In a joint statement, House Administration committee leaders expressed their disappointment in this apparent security lapse and demanded comprehensive reviews of visitor screening practices, emphasizing the need to ensure such an incident does not reoccur.

To date, the officer involved in the incident has been suspended as part of an administrative investigation into his actions during the security screening. In response to the breach, Capitol Police announced that they would be implementing mandatory refresher training for security personnel to improve future screening processes according to AP News and have already initiated a thorough review of the incident. Members of Congress were briefed about the security breach on Thursday, heightening the urgency of a review of protocols to safeguard the Capitol from future risks. For further details, refer to the full article on India Times.