WASHINGTON — A Massachusetts man was arrested after authorities say he entered the United States Capitol and took a tour of the building with a handgun in his possession.
James A. Faber, 27, is facing charges including unlawful activities, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and resisting arrest, according to US Capitol Police.
Officers acting on a request to be on the lookout for a man with reported mental health issues and suicidal thoughts who was believed to be armed and in the area spotted his car on First Street near East Capitol Street around 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, police said in a Thursday news release.
The officers then learned that the man, later identified as Faber, had entered the Capitol Visitor Center and taken a Capitol tour, according to police.
Faber was tracked down about an hour later leaving the Library of Congress and walking to his car. When officers stopped him, police said a search revealed he was carrying a 9mm gun concealed in his waistband.
A subsequent investigation indicated that magnetometers initially sounded when Faber tried to enter the Capitol Visitor Center, but he was allowed inside the building after an officer performed a secondary hand search, according to police.
In a statement, the police said, “The officer is suspended while the USCP’s Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting an administrative investigation into the officer’s performance of that search.”
At this time, there is no indication that Faber was planning harm to Congress, investigators noted.
A full review of the incident is ongoing and officers will undergo mandatory refresher training on security screening.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
©2025 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7QOJU3BNCJERBNKJC5LWTBYFLU.png)
