In the case of congressional Democrats, the office of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) asked D.C. Police to provide them with weapons they could display at their event. Assault weapons in the custody of police are permitted in D.C., according to Feinstein spokesman Brian Weiss.

Following the event, Feinstein told reporters the weapons were police evidence, but at the time she declined to say from which police agency.

“Senator Feinstein’s office coordinated this process with all relevant agencies and departments to make certain all applicable laws were followed,” Weiss said in a statement.

U.S. Capitol Police and the Senate Sergeant at Arms inspected the weapons to ensure they were inoperable before they were permitted inside the Dirksen Senate Office building for the event, according to Weiss and Capitol Police spokesman Shennell Antrobus.