US lawmaker arrested in Hong Kong over firearm

ISTANBUL

US State Senator Jeff Wilson was arrested at Hong Kong airport for the possession of an unlicensed firearm, his office confirmed on Tuesday.

Wilson, a Republican senator from Washington state, was arrested at the Hong Kong airport on Saturday (Hong Kong time) “after he discovered a pistol in his carry-on luggage and reported it to customs authorities,” his office said in a statement.

He was charged with possession of an unregistered firearm. However, a court released him on Monday (Hong Kong time).

He has been barred from traveling outside and is set to appear in West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on coming Monday.

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

Accompanied by his wife, he is on a five-week vacation in Southeast Asia.

According to his office, Wilson “did not realize his pistol was in his briefcase when he passed through airport security in Portland (US), and baggage screeners failed to note it.”

The lawmaker said his pistol was not registered in Hong Kong, but “it is properly registered in Washington state, and that he holds a concealed pistol license.”

Outside the courthouse, police had to be called in after Wilson got angry when journalists took photos of him.

He demanded his photos be deleted, Hong Kong Free Press reported.