Va. Senator Claims Ownership Of Gun That Led To Aide's Arrest In U.S. Capitol Complex

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Sen. Jim Webb finally admitted he owns a gun that an aide was arrested for carrying into the U.S. Capitol complex in March. <br/><br/>Webb previously had refused to say whether the

Sunday, June 17th 2007, 9:21 pm

By: News On 6

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Sen. Jim Webb finally admitted he owns a gun that an aide was arrested for carrying into the U.S. Capitol complex in March.

Webb previously had refused to say whether the gun was his, although his senior aide _ Phillip Thompson _ had told police the weapon belonged to the Democratic senator.

``It's my gun,'' Webb told the Richmond Times-Dispatch in a recent interview. But how and why it was in Thompson's possession remains unclear. Webb said he didn't give the gun to Thompson, ``nor did I ask him to do anything with it.''

Thompson was arrested on an illegal handgun charge when he carried the loaded pistol and two loaded magazines in a briefcase into the Russell Senate office building. A federal prosecutor later dropped the charge.

Webb said little about the incident in March, saying he did not want to prejudice the outcome of Thompson's case.

``It was a matter under legal consideration, and I was precluded from saying anything,'' Webb told the Richmond newspaper.

Webb declined to say whether he complies with the District of Columbia's law that prohibits carrying a handgun or concealed weapon without a license.