Jim Webb's aide brings Jim Webb's gun into a Senate Building

[dj_stouty]

Link (http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/03/27/webb.aide.gun/index.html?section=cnn_latest)


[B]WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Jim Webb called the arrest of a top aide on weapons charges "extremely unfortunate" Tuesday after the aide was stopped as he brought the senator's loaded pistol into a Senate office building.

Through an attorney, Phillip Thompson pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of carrying a pistol without a license Tuesday afternoon. He was released on his own recognizance after spending the night in jail.

Capitol police arrested Thompson on that count and misdemeanor charges of carrying an unregistered firearm and ammunition after they found the weapon in a briefcase he was carrying into the Russell Senate Office Building Monday afternoon.

Channing Phillips, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Washington, said it was routine procedure for the office to present only the most serious count at an arraignment, with lesser charges presented to a grand jury.

Webb, a freshman Democrat from Virginia, declined comment on details of Thompson's case, but called him "a longtime friend" and "a fine individual."
"He has worked for me since the beginning of the campaign last year," he said. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for him. I think this is one of those very unfortunate situations where, completely inadvertently, he took the weapon into the Senate yesterday."

Webb has a concealed handgun permit in Virginia and an A rating from the National Rifle Association for his stances on gun rights. He said he handed his weapon off to aides before getting on a plane to New Orleans on Friday.

He said he did not give Thompson the weapon directly, and was unsure how it ended up with him.

"We had three cars on Friday that were being moved about because of my trip, and that is probably a reason that this inadvertent situation developed," he said. "And that's really the extent to which I think I should be discussing."

Thompson faces a May 1 hearing on the charge, which carries a range of sentences from probation to five years in prison. But Peter Hamm, a spokesman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said Webb "really should take responsibility for this."
"He should be ashamed of himself," Hamm said. "His aide is facing legal bills up the wazoo."

Webb "should say it was a mistake and that it was my mistake," he added.
The group made no endorsement in last year's Virginia senate race, in which Webb won his seat.

The District of Columbia has much tighter gun laws than Virginia. It is illegal to carry a firearm in the capital city, and handguns are banned.
Webb spokeswoman Jessica Smith said she did not know whether her boss brings his weapon into the city. And the senator declined comment on his compliance with Washington ordinances, but said it is important for him "to be able to defend myself and my family."

"Since 9/11, for people who are in government, I think in general, there has been an agreement that it's a more dangerous time," he said.
"I'm not going to comment, again, with great specificity about how I defend myself, but I do feel that I have that right."


Here are my questions, which Jim Webb clearly isn't answering.

1. Exactly who did Jim Webb actually give his gun to? You would think a law abiding gun supporter would be more careful with his firearms and at least be able to recall the name of the person he gave his gun to.
2. Does Jim Webb hand out his registered gun to others on a regular basis? I wonder if he would let me pop off a few rounds if I asked.
3. Was the Aide on drugs when he took the gun into the Senate Building? I'm sure he knows those buildings have metal detectors, right?
4. Does Jim Webb knowingly carry an illegal handgun into the District of Columbia on a regular basis? Sounds like it. And why can't he comment more on this when asked directly about it? Either you do or you dont' Jim.

[redskin_rich]

The aid is a close friend of his and a fellow marine that served in Vietnam with him from what I heard.

[dj_stouty]

The aid is a close friend of his and a fellow marine that served in Vietnam with him from what I heard.

And his friend is facing a felony over this. I wonder how many hands this gun touched before the Aide tried to bring it into a Senate building.

[RedskinsDave]

He seems to imply that he carries the gun from Virginia and into D.C. to protect himself. So, more or less, he is violating federal laws over the transport of guns over state lines and also violating the laws and the District that prohibit any guns. It's nice to know my junior senator is such the scofflaw.

[lakewinola]

I agree, we should have more gun laws in this country. And, if this was anyone other than Jim Webb, the commentary from the right would be ripping the DC gun laws and elevating the offender as a hero for standing in defiance of laws that limit your constitutional right to pack heat.

[dj_stouty]

He seems to imply that he carries the gun from Virginia and into D.C. to protect himself. So, more or less, he is violating federal laws over the transport of guns over state lines and also violating the laws and the District that prohibit any guns. It's nice to know my junior senator is such the scofflaw.

And since I'm sure it is illegal to give your registered gun to someone else (especially if you can't remember who), I think Jim needs to come up with some clearer answers.

[RedskinsDave]

I agree, we should have more gun laws in this country. And, if this was anyone other than Jim Webb, the commentary from the right would be ripping the DC gun laws and elevating the offender as a hero for standing in defiance of laws that limit your constitutional right to pack heat.

There's a whole bunch of laws I disagree with but I follow. Too been this lawmaker doesn't.

[lakewinola]

There's a whole bunch of laws I disagree with but I follow. Too been this lawmaker doesn't.

Come on, had this been Cheney or even Rove, your reaction would be less than outraged.

[lakewinola]

There's a whole bunch of laws I disagree with but I follow. Too been this lawmaker doesn't.

On a side note, did you ever order that Kielbasi from Kutsop's?

[RedskinsDave]

Come on, had this been Cheney or even Rove, your reaction would be less than outraged.

But it wasn't.

On the kielbasa:

No, I never did but I need to for grilling season.

[Spence]

Prediction: This will add 2-4 points to Webb's popularity in Virginia. This IS Virginia, after all. :)

[shally]

why would webb need to pack heat to his office anyway ?

[WarEagle]

Jim Webb seems very tightly wound, as if something could set him off at any minute. Full of unresolved anger? He seems likely to use the handgun in a road rage incident on the way to work, so I'm glad his aide had control of it.

[shally]

Jim Webb seems very tightly wound, as if something could set him off at any minute. Full of unresolved anger? He seems likely to use the handgun in a road rage incident on the way to work, so I'm glad his aide had control of it.

really a side issue.. the question is judgment as to why he would need a sidearm going to work

and the mechanism of how a registered sidearm would go from one person to another, and then be brought to the senate.. that is what is mind boggling. why did the aide simply not bring it to his home ?

[Spence]

why would webb need to pack heat to his office anyway ?Mitch McConnell has started wandering the halls with his shirt unbuttoned to the waist and Webb is determined to put a stop to it.

[shally]

Mitch McConnell has started wandering the halls with his shirt unbuttoned to the waist and Webb is determined to put a stop to it.

then he should have used a 10 gauge pump.. it further questions webb's choice of weapons:lol1:

and besides, i thought that cheney was the designated shootist

[fent]

wonkette had a deal on this yesterday i think. apparently he invoked 9-11 as to why he needs protection and carries it to work. not that a handgun is going to stop an airliner, but whatever.

[shally]

wonkette had a deal on this yesterday i think. apparently he invoked 9-11 as to why he needs protection and carries it to work. not that a handgun is going to stop an airliner, but whatever.


well.. maybe he thought he could stop the perps in their tracks before they got to the airliners..yet another lapse in judgment

[RedskinsDave]

If Jimmy is so worried about his safety he could have stayed in the his home writing books about boys penises and left the lawmaking to someone else.

[shally]

If Jimmy is so worried about his safety he could have stayed in the his home writing books about boys penises and left the lawmaking to someone else.

well.. you know what the shrinks say about guns being a substitute for...
i guess jimmy just brought his to work for show and tell...:rolleyes:

[Keino]

There's a whole bunch of laws I disagree with but I follow.

It's funny, I don't have anything to contribute to this thread, but I don't follow laws I don't agree with. SPeed limit 55? Nope, don't agree....and so on and so forth.

[RedskinsDave]

It's funny, I don't have anything to contribute to this thread, but I don't follow laws I don't agree with. SPeed limit 55? Nope, don't agree....and so on and so forth.

You rebel you.

[redskin_rich]

I know people that carry a gun on them everywhere, even church.
There is nothing here but a stupid mistake, unless someone thinks something sinister was in the works and that is laughable.

[dj_stouty]

Isn't Jim Webb supposed to be the newest "tell it like it is guy" in the Senate? If so, why is he being so cryptic? Why does he keep dancing around this topic?

[redskin_rich]

Isn't Jim Webb supposed to be the newest "tell it like it is guy" in the Senate? If so, why is he being so cryptic? Why does he keep dancing around this topic?
I would say because it was a screw up and he is waiting for the spin doctors to give him a prepared statement. Why did the White House withhold the news that Cheney shot a guy in the face for over a day? Same difference, except no one was harmed with Webb's screw up.

[BurgundyNGold]

It's funny, I don't have anything to contribute to this thread, but I don't follow laws I don't agree with. SPeed limit 55? Nope, don't agree....and so on and so forth.
Yeah, I'm with you for the most part. If I think a law is unjust, then it is my responsibility as a free man NOT to follow it. ;)

[akhhorus]

Yeah, I'm with you for the most part. If I think a law is unjust, then it is my responsibility as a free man NOT to follow it. ;)

I was protesting the Redskins' rules on indecency at the 05 draft party, at least I have the courage to protest publically!

(I hope the mods enjoyed this joke)

[dj_stouty]

Yeah, I'm with you for the most part. If I think a law is unjust, then it is my responsibility as a free man NOT to follow it. ;)

Yup...and if we decide not to follow those rules (such as not paying taxes, or going 90mph in a 45mph zone) then we face the consecuences if caught.

[BurgundyNGold]

Yup...and if we decide not to follow those rules (such as not paying taxes, or going 90mph in a 45mph zone) then we face the consecuences if caught.
Ad absurdum!

:D

[Keino]

Yup...and if we decide not to follow those rules (such as not paying taxes, or going 90mph in a 45mph zone) then we face the consecuences if caught.

And exploit the loopholes to get out of and/or minimize said consequences ;)

[Spence]

Prosecutors today dismissed the gun charge filed last month against an aide to Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) who was caught bringing a loaded pistol into the Russell Senate Office Building.

U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Taylor said in a statement late today that his office had concluded that the essential elements of the charge -- carrying a pistol without a license -- could not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
...
To prove the charge, prosecutors would have had to show that Thompson knew he had the gun.

Defense lawyer Richard Gardiner, who was representing Thompson, said he was told by the prosecutor on the case that a video recording of the incident had been reviewed and that statements had been taken from all of the officers present when the gun was discovered.

"There was apparently complete unanimity that Mr. Thompson was totally stunned and clearly did not know that the gun was in there," Gardiner said.Source (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042701759.html)

[dj_stouty]

Sweet. I'm sure the next guy caught trying to bring a gun into a government building can use the exact same excuse.

[shally]

Sweet. I'm sure the next guy caught trying to bring a gun into a government building can use the exact same excuse.

different rules for most politicians.. you know that..

[WarEagle]

Sweet. I'm sure the next guy caught trying to bring a gun into a government building can use the exact same excuse.

They must have security camera video of the gun find. Probably shows the aide's palms on his cheeks with his mouth opened, like the kid from "Home Alone." Clearly surprised...not guilty...next case.

[dj_stouty]

different rules for most politicians.. you know that..

Well, lets see if Michael Vick can get away with the exact same excuse. :rolleyes:

"What? My boss' gun is in my bag? I had no clue!!!"

"What? My family had 30 pit fighting dogs in my backyard? I had no clue!!!"

[BurgundyNGold]

Well, lets see if Michael Vick can get away with the exact same excuse. :rolleyes:

"What? My boss' gun is in my bag? I had no clue!!!"

"What? My family had 30 pit fighting dogs in my backyard? I had no clue!!!"
:lol1:

[redskin_rich]

Sweet. I'm sure the next guy caught trying to bring a gun into a government building can use the exact same excuse.
Doubtful but if he is a war vet and an associate of a fellow war vet that happens to be a senator, maybe.

After this story broke, it was reported hat many senators do, in fact, carry weapons and bring them through security after declaring them. They are legal to do this, all Webb did was make a mistake in procedure. Unless you want to make the accusation of something malicious, there is nothing to harp on here but ignorance.

[dj_stouty]

Doubtful but if he is a war vet and an associate of a fellow war vet that happens to be a senator, maybe.

After this story broke, it was reported hat many senators do, in fact, carry weapons and bring them through security after declaring them. They are legal to do this, all Webb did was make a mistake in procedure. Unless you want to make the accusation of something malicious, there is nothing to harp on here but ignorance.

I'm actually more pissed at Webb than his employee. If Webb wants to walk around and claim that he is a friend of the gun owner rights, then he needs to be more responsible and not hand over his registered gun to a staffer. That is pure irresponsibility.

[shally]

I'm actually more pissed at Webb than his employee. If Webb wants to walk around and claim that he is a friend of the gun owner rights, then he needs to be more responsible and not hand over his registered gun to a staffer. That is pure irresponsibility.

no question, it sounds like he took one for his boss

as for vick, the difference is that he already has a history of less than exemplary behavior.. we will see how this plays out, but he is going to have some difficulty reaching "plausible deniability" due to the cost of maintaining that number of dogs alone ( $100 per day in food ??)

[Spence]

no question, it sounds like he took one for his boss
Doesn't look like he took one at all. That's the gist of the update I posted.

The important thing is that this news be hidden from Akhh. If he ever finds out that the "I had no idea" excuse works, he'll enroll in acting classes and start packing heat everywhere he goes.*

*Assuming he doesn't do that already.