Hong Kong Drops Charges Against GOP State Sen. Jeff Wilson Who Brought Gun In His Carry-On Bag

Washington State Sen. Jeff Wilson (R) was arrested in Hong Kong last month for firearms possession.

Wilson and his wife were reportedly on their way to begin their five-week trip in Southeast Asia when he discovered his unloaded gun in his carry-on.

It turned out to be an “honest mistake,” though, Wilson said, and claimed that he was unaware of the handgun in his carry-on until he reached inside for gum but felt the revolver instead.

“This was a mistake on my part, and I regret it,” Wilson said in a statement. “I packed quickly and failed to check the contents of my briefcase.”

After realizing he had a gun in his bag, he said that he “understood immediately what had happened, and that [his] only option was to report to the proper authorities, cooperate fully, and respect the laws of the land where my plane was about to touch down.”

Once he arrived at Hong Kong International Airport, the Washington state senator reported the handgun to customs, where he was arrested shortly after because he did not have a valid license to carry the handgun in Hong Kong.

Before his hearing on October 30, Wilson was detained for three days until his release on October 23.

The Chinese court dropped their charges against him, acknowledging his self-declaration at customs and cooperation during the hearing. Though charges were dropped, Wilson’s handgun was confiscated. He was also ordered to “abstain from possessing firearms and ammunition for 24 months.”