Ethics committee takes no action after Spartz brings gun to D.C. airport

In summary

The House Ethics Committee has decided not to take any action against Indiana Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz after she brought a gun to a security checkpoint at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Spartz's office said in a statement Monday that she "inadvertently" brought the gun — a Glock 9mm pistol — to the airport on June 14.

What happened

According to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police, Spartz was stopped at a security checkpoint at the airport around 7:10 a.m. on June 14 after her carry-on bag triggered an alarm.

Police said Spartz told officers that she had a gun in her bag, and she was taken to a secure area for questioning.

Police said Spartz had a valid concealed carry permit, but she was not authorized to carry a gun into the secure area of the airport.

Spartz was issued a citation for carrying a concealed weapon without a license, and she was allowed to leave the airport.

Ethics Committee decision

The House Ethics Committee announced Monday that it had reviewed the matter and decided not to take any further action against Spartz.

The committee said in a statement that it "found no evidence that Representative Spartz violated any House rules or federal laws."

The committee also said that it "took into account the fact that Representative Spartz has a valid concealed carry permit and that she inadvertently brought the gun to the airport."

Reaction

Spartz's office said in a statement that she "appreciates the Ethics Committee's decision."

The statement said that Spartz "takes full responsibility for her mistake and apologizes for any inconvenience it caused."

Some lawmakers have批评ed the Ethics Committee's decision not to take any action against Spartz.

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) said in a statement Monday that the decision "sends the wrong message."

Swalwell said that "members of Congress should be held to a higher standard than the general public, and that includes following the law."

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said in a tweet Monday that the decision "is a dereliction of duty."

Ocasio-Cortez said that "the Ethics Committee has a responsibility to uphold the public trust, and that includes holding members of Congress accountable for their actions."