Virginia prosecutors drop misdemeanor gun charge against Rep. Victoria Spartz

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Prosecutors in Loudoun County, Virginia, have dropped a misdemeanor weapons charge against Indiana Republican Representative Victoria Spartz. The decision came after Spartz completed a gun safety course following an incident in July, where she brought a firearm to Dulles International Airport. The Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney's office had filed the charge automatically, as the law mandates, after the discovery of the weapon.

Spartz faced a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of $2,500 in fines and up to one year in prison. The charge stemmed from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) finding a .380 caliber pistol in her handbag during a routine security check. Her office stated that Spartz accidentally carried the empty handgun, which was in a pocket of her suitcase, without realizing it was there.

Following the completion of the gun safety course, the case docket now reflects that authorities do not wish to pursue the charges further. The incident has drawn attention to the legal implications of bringing firearms to airports and the protocols that govern such situations.