Washington state senator arrested at Hong Kong airport

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A state senator from Washington was arrested at Hong Kong International Airport on Friday and charged with possession of an unregistered firearm after unexpectedly finding his gun in his carry-on bag.

Jeff Wilson, a Republican who represents Washington’s 19th District, was travelling from San Francisco to Hong Kong when he discovered the unloaded firearm in his bag as he was reaching for a piece of gum.

Upon landing, Mr Wilson notified customs authorities about the firearm.

“It was an honest mistake, and I expect the situation to be resolved shortly,” Mr Wilson said in a statement provided by his office on Monday.

Mr Wilson insisted he was unaware the weapon was in his bag and claimed it went undetected by baggage screeners at the airport in Portland, Oregon.

The firearm is properly registered in Washington state, where Mr Wilson holds a concealed pistol license. Mr Wilson was released from jail on Sunday after posting bail. A hearing is set for 30 October – Mr Wilson will remain in Hong Kong until then.

In Hong Kong, it is illegal to carry an unlicensed firearm. It is punishable by up to 14 years in prison and a fine of an equivalent of $12,800 USD.

It is unclear how the unloaded firearm managed to successfully pass through baggage detectors. Mr Wilson told Oregon Public Broadcasting that he “should have never been out of security in America.”

The Independent has reached out to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for comment.

The state senator said he hopes to resume his planned trip to Southeast Asia after the issue is resolved. He is travelling abroad with his wife on a personal five-week vacation. The two are planning to visit Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia.