Updated List of Prohibited Items for the United States Capitol December 2, 2004

WASHINGTON -- Effective Monday, December 6, 2004, there will be new restrictions on items for all visitors to the United States Capitol Building. Since 2001, visitors have been restricted in the items they were permitted to carry inside the U.S. Capitol. This new list of prohibited items is merely an extension of the current prohibited items list. The revised list of prohibited items include:

• Aerosol Containers
• Any pointed object (i.e., knitting needles, letter openers, etc.) (Pens and pencils are permitted.)
• Any bag larger than: 14" wide x 13" high x 4" deep
• Cans and bottles
• Electric stun guns, martial arts weapons or devices
• Food or beverages of any kind
• Guns, replica guns, ammunition and fireworks
• Knives of any size
• Mace and pepper spray
• Non-aerosol Spray (Prescriptions for medical needs are permitted)
• Razors and box cutters

The following items are permitted inside the Capitol, but are prohibited from the House and Senate Galleries:

• Any battery operated electronic device (Medical devices are permitted)
• Cameras
• Strollers
• Video recorders or any type of recording device

This new list will help to further ensure the safety of everyone who works and visits the U.S. Capitol building. Signs will be posted around the Capitol complex to remind everyone of these prohibited items, as well as on all applicable Internet web sites. The United States Capitol Police would like to thank everyone for their cooperation with these new procedures.