State Sen. Jeff Wilson arrested at Hong Kong airport for gun in luggage

Washington State Senator Jeff Wilson was arrested at the Hong Kong airport last Friday for a gun in his luggage.

In a news release, Sen. Wilson said he found his pistol in his carry-on luggage and reported it to customs authorities.

Wilson was traveling with his wife to Southeast Asia. He said he noticed his gun when he was mid-flight between San Francisco and Hong Kong after he reached in his briefcase to get a pack of gum.

Wilson said he didn’t realize his gun was in his briefcase when he went through Portland Airport security and that the baggage screeners didn’t pick it up.

The news release said when the plane landed, Wilson went to officials about the issue.

“Press accounts indicating that the weapon was discovered during a bag check are incorrect,” said the news release.

Wilson was charged with possession of an unregistered firearm. He was released Sunday after posting bail and will have a hearing on October 30.

“Wilson noted that while his pistol was not registered in Hong Kong, it is properly registered in Washington state and that he holds a concealed pistol license,” a spokesperson for his office said.

Wilson said he was on a personal vacation at his own expense and, being a port commissioner in Longview, planned to meet with counterparts at the port of Shanghai.

“It was an honest mistake, and I expect the situation to be resolved shortly,” Wilson said.