Sen. Jeff Wilson of Washington State was detained by Chinese officials at the airport in Hong Kong for attempting to board an aircraft with a loaded handgun. The weapon was not discovered by Portland’s TSA agents.
Senator Wilson was detained at the Hong Kong airport in an unexpected turn of events. His offense? holding a firearm that is not registered. The fact that Wilson personally informed the airport authorities after finding the prohibited weapon in his luggage, however, makes this case truly noteworthy. Even after posting bond, the Senator’s future remains uncertain while the case progresses in court.
Republican legislator and wife are taking a personal vacation and paying for it themselves. But their time will be limited because of an imminent hearing in Hong Kong.
Wilson remarked,
“It was an honest mistake, and I expect the situation to be resolved shortly.”
The clarification provided by his office reads, “Wilson said he did not realize his pistol was in his briefcase when he passed through airport security in Portland, and baggage screeners failed to note it. Wilson said he discovered the weapon mid-flight between San Francisco and Hong Kong, when he reached into his briefcase for a piece of gum, and felt his unloaded revolver inside. When the plane landed, he immediately went to customs officials and called their attention to the issue.”
Wilson, an American citizen, has been told to hand over his travel documents at a recent hearing at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts, according to KOMO News. Wilson may face dire repercussions as a result of the impending hearing, which will take place at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court. Carrying an unauthorized handgun is absolutely prohibited by Hong Kong law, and offenders risk a steep $12,800 fine and up to 14 years in prison. Wilson’s future is still in question even though the court website specifies a minimum sentence of two years.
While the Senator’s weapon is not legally registered in Hong Kong, his office has stated that he is properly registered with a concealed carry permit in Washington.
Wilson and his wife intended to go to Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia. But they had to change their plans because of a legal matter. They intend to resume their exciting adventure once the issue has been resolved.
According to a TSA official, the organization that oversees luggage handling at all U.S. airports is aware of the issue and has started an inquiry. “Firearms are not permitted in the secure area of airports and represents an expensive mistake for those who are stopped at checkpoints with firearms in their possession,” stated the spokeswoman. “The penalty for bringing a firearm to a TSA checkpoint may be as high as $15,000, and those stopped are ineligible for TSA PreCheck for up to five years.”
REVEALED: The 3 reasons you should NEVER use Vegetable Oils…
When Wilson gets back to the United States, will he be charged? The TSA statement doesn’t yet offer a conclusive response.
