Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill) has issued an apology indicating that two members of his staff were involved in today's weapon scare at the Cannon House Office building. The weapon turned out to be a toy ---after a security lockdown at the Cannon Bldg....
The Shimkus statement on paper calls this "an unfortunate Halloween misunderstanding," and says it occurred as a result of "my staff's efforts to put together a Halloween costume during their lunch hour."
He says the "staffers wish to convey their deepest regrets to all Members. fellow staff, and visitors to Washington who were inconvenienced by this incident."