Rep. Victoria Spartz, a Republican from Indiana, has been charged with a weapons violation at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. The charge, which occurred on Friday, is related to a Virginia state law that prohibits the possession or transportation of firearms or dangerous weapons in airport terminals. The violation is classified as a misdemeanor.
Spartz, the first Ukrainian-born immigrant to serve in Congress, is seeking re-election in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District, which is considered solidly Republican. She won her primary in May, despite facing criticism from a challenger over her support for Ukraine aid and other issues.
This incident is not the first time a lawmaker has faced a weapons violation at an airport. Previously, Rep. Madison Cawthorn, a Republican from North Carolina, was cited in 2022 for carrying a loaded handgun at an airport security checkpoint in his home state. Cawthorn had been stopped twice with a firearm at airports during his time in office and subsequently lost his primary in 2022.
NBC News has reached out to Spartz’s office for comment on the charges. The situation highlights the strict laws and regulations surrounding the possession of weapons in sensitive areas such as airports, and the potential consequences for public officials who fail to comply with these laws.
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