Good morning, Washington. How about this weather, huh? We couldn’t believe our ears when we heard some friends complaining about the warmth yesterday. “Sure, it’s nice,” they said, “But isn’t it a little early to be this nice?” Bah! Well, take solace, warmthophobes: it’ll be cooling down to the more April-appropriate sixty degree range soon enough.

Webb Denies Giving Gun To Aide: Details regarding Webb aide Phillip Thompson and the gun he brought to the Capitol continue to emerge. Via WTOP, the AP reports that, although he continues to voice support for Thompson, Senator Webb is now saying that he didn’t give Thompson the weapon in question. Webb isn’t confirming or denying whether the gun in question belongs to him, but has implied that the incident may have arisen from a mixup while his staff packed cars for a trip to New Orleans. The most interesting tidbit: Webb’s assertion that legislators need to carry guns.

Webb also stressed his support for the Second Amendment, saying he thought the right to carry a gun was important because legislators don’t have armed protection like the president and other members of the executive branch.

“We are required to defend ourselves, and I choose to do so,” he said.

Er… Okay. So what are these guys around for?

Kaine Raises Public Defender Pay: If you’re poor, don’t get arrested in Virginia. It’s sound advice for any state, but particularly true for the commonwealth to our south, where public defenders are paid the lowest fees in the nation. Now Governor Kaine is remedying the situation, proposing an amendment that will raise caps on advocates’ fees, as WJLA reports. But don’t applaud Kaine’s commitment to justice just yet — although his spokesman denies a connection, the measure is also likely to have the benefit of derailing a federal class action lawsuit that was about to be brought against the state.

Briefly Noted: Kaine makes only minor conservation-incentive-related changes to electricity re-regulation bill… Pedestrian and fatal bicycle accidents in Maryland… Gang initiation broken up in Fairfax… Jeweler packs up shop, takes customer’s jewelry with him…

This Day In DCist: One year ago we talked to Frank Foer and offered a chance to pick up Lulu’s memorabilia. Two years ago we were doomsaying about the real estate market and talkin’ waffles.

Image posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user Terecico