A Republican state senator was arrested in Hong Kong after bringing a gun in his carry-on luggage
- A Washington state senator was arrested in Hong Kong after he said he accidentally brought a gun in his carry-on.
- Jeff Wilson said he realized he packed the unloaded firearm after searching in his briefcase for chewing gum.
A Republican state senator confirmed that he was arrested at Hong Kong International Airport on Friday after bringing a gun in his carry-on luggage.
Senator Jeff Wilson, of Washington state, said he realized he'd mistakenly packed the firearm after rummaging in his briefcase for some chewing gum, and finding the unloaded revolver.
"It was an honest mistake, and I expect the situation to be resolved shortly," Wilson said in Monday's statement.
He added that neither he nor baggage screeners noticed the weapon when he passed through airport security in Portland, Oregon.
And after his flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong landed, Wilson said he immediately told custom officials about the gun. He and his wife were starting a five-week vacation in southeast Asia, per his statement.
According to Hong Kong newspaper The Standard, the politician appeared in a magistrates' court and was charged with possessing a firearm without a license. He was released on $2,500 bail and ordered to surrender his travel documents.
According to CNN, he could face up to 14 years in prison.
The Standard also reported that Wilson and his wife verbally abused reporters outside the courthouse, and asked them to delete pictures of him, before police officers intervened.
A Transportation Security Administration representative told CNN it was aware a passenger passed through security with an unloaded firearm.
"The individual was arrested upon arrival in Hong Kong. TSA takes this situation very seriously and is currently investigating the circumstances," they said.Taking a firearm to a TSA checkpoint could result in a fine of up to $15,000, and being ineligible for TSA PreCheck for up to five years.In his statement, Wilson said the gun was registered in Washington state and he holds a concealed pistol license. Hong Kong's firearm laws are much stricter than in the US, with licenses only given to police, security guards, and shooting ranges.Wilson's next court hearing is on Monday, per The Standard.