Rep. Victoria Spartz Charged With Gun Violation At Dulles Airport

Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., was charged with a weapons violation at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority confirmed to NBC News on Monday.

The spokesman, who said the congresswoman was charged Friday, cited a section of Virginia state law related to the dangerous use of firearms or other weapons, which makes it a misdemeanor to “possess or transport” a firearm or a variety of other dangerous weapons “into any airport terminal of an airline.” The law classifies the violation as a felony.

NBC News has reached out to Spartz’s office for comment.

Spartz, the first Ukrainian immigrant to serve in Congress, is seeking reelection in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District, which includes the suburbs north of Indianapolis and is considered solidly Republican by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. She won her primary in May, defeating an opponent who attacked her support for aid to Ukraine and other issues.

Spartz is not the first lawmaker in recent years to face a gun-related offense at an airport.

Then-Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., was cited in 2022 for having a loaded handgun at a security checkpoint at an airport in his home state. He had been caught twice with a gun at an airport during his two years in office. Cawthorn lost his 2022 primary.