US Senator Arrested in China for Having a Gun in His Carry-On Luggage

US Senator Jeff Wilson was arrested at Hong Kong airport after arriving on a flight from San Francisco on the evening of October 20 for carrying a weapon in his hand luggage, reports CBS.

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Wilson was released on bail on October 23. Wilson, a Republican from Washington state, said he has been charged with possession of an unregistered firearm and is scheduled for trial on October 30.

“This was an honest mistake and I expect the situation to be resolved soon,” his office said in a statement Oct. 23.

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The state lawmaker said he didn't realize the gun was in his briefcase when he went through U.S. airport security and only discovered the unloaded weapon mid-flight. Wilson said he reported the problem to customs officials after the plane landed.

Possession of a gun or ammunition without a license in Hong Kong carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison and a fine of $12.

Wilson said he went with his wife on a five-week personal vacation to Southeast Asia.

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A Hong Kong judge granted Wilson bail on October 23 and confiscated his travel documents. He can't leave the city.

Weapons at airports

In a statement, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said it "was aware that a passenger on a flight departing Portland International Airport (PDX) on Saturday (October 21) cleared security and was traveling with an unloaded firearm in his carry-on baggage." . She is currently investigating the circumstances."

“TSA officers across the country are catching firearms at security checkpoints,” the agency noted, warning that traveling with a gun could be “a costly mistake for those stopped at security checkpoints.” This could result in a fine of up to $15.

In January, the TSA said more than 2022 firearms were confiscated from airport passengers in 6542, the highest number ever.

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Washington State Senate Republican Leader John Brown said he is closely monitoring the situation and hopes it will be resolved in a timely manner.

“We are learning about the Wilson incident at the same time as the press and the public here in America. My understanding is that it was just an unintentional mistake,” Brown said.

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