{"id":2078370,"date":"2023-10-24T20:09:01","date_gmt":"2023-10-25T00:09:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/washington-state-sen-jeff-wilson-arrested-charged-over-firearm-in-bag-at-hong-kong-airport\/"},"modified":"2023-10-24T20:12:02","modified_gmt":"2023-10-25T00:12:02","slug":"washington-state-sen-jeff-wilson-arrested-charged-over-firearm-in-bag-at-hong-kong-airport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/washington-state-sen-jeff-wilson-arrested-charged-over-firearm-in-bag-at-hong-kong-airport\/","title":{"rendered":"Washington State Sen. Jeff Wilson arrested for carrying firearm in bag at Hong Kong Airport."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwashington-state-sen-jeff-wilson-arrested-charged-over-firearm-in-bag-at-hong-kong-airport%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2078370&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><blockquote>\n<h2>A Washington State Senator Arrested at Hong Kong Airport \u200dfor \u200dCarrying \u2062Firearm<\/h2>\n<p>A Washington state senator was\u200b arrested at the airport in Hong Kong on Oct. 20\u200d after discovering a \u2064firearm in his carry-on bag that was not licensed there, \u2062according to a statement from his office.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>Republican state Sen. Jeff Wilson was charged with possession of \u200ban unregistered firearm and released two days later after posting bail of 20,000 \u2062Hong Kong\u2062 dollars ($2,556),\u2062 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thestandard.com.hk\/breaking-news\/section\/4\/209560\/US-state-senator-charged-for-illegal-possession-of-firearms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Standard<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>If convicted, \u2064he faces \u2062a maximum\u200b penalty\u200b of\u200b seven to\u200d 14 years in jail and a fine of up to HK$100,000 (about $12,800) under Hong Kong\u2019s strict <a href=\"https:\/\/www.police.gov.hk\/ppp_en\/11_useful_info\/licences\/arms_faq.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">gun control laws<\/a>, \u200cwhich state that\u200b no individual is allowed to possess any arms or ammunition unless they hold a license from the Commissioner of Police.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote>\n<h2 class=\"mb-3 font-sans text-[16px] font-semibold uppercase leading-[19px] text-[#2F2F2F]\">Related Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-4 sm:line-clamp-3\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/china\/ex-councilors-call-for-boycott-of-hong-kong-governments-sham-elections-5513841?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-sm sm:text-base\">Ex-Councilors Call for Boycott of Hong Kong Government&#8217;s Sham Elections<\/h3>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">10\/23\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[70px] sm:basis-[120px]\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/china\/ex-councilors-call-for-boycott-of-hong-kong-governments-sham-elections-5513841?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\">\n<picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" https:><\/source><source type=\"image\/*\" https:><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-4 sm:line-clamp-3\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/china\/1-in-4-adult-deaths-in-hong-kong-is-associated-with-sepsis-cuhk-5513105?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-sm sm:text-base\">1 in \u20634 Adult Deaths in Hong Kong\u200b Is Associated \u2062With Sepsis: CUHK<\/h3>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">10\/20\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[70px] sm:basis-[120px]\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/china\/1-in-4-adult-deaths-in-hong-kong-is-associated-with-sepsis-cuhk-5513105?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\">\n<picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" https:><\/source><source type=\"image\/*\" https:><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Mr. Wilson is\u2063 set to \u200cappear\u200d for a hearing on the matter on Oct. 30.<\/p>\n<p>According \u200cto his office, the Republican senator was \u200dtraveling with his wife and was \u200don the first leg of a five-week personal \u2062vacation to Southeast Asia\u200c when he discovered the pistol in his carry-on \u200cluggage while\u2063 mid-flight between San Francisco and \u2062Hong Kong.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>While the\u2064 pistol, <a href=\"https:\/\/washingtonstatestandard.com\/2023\/10\/23\/washington-senator-arrested-at-hong-kong-airport-for-carrying-handgun\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reportedly<\/a> \u200ba .38 caliber revolver,\u2063 was not registered in Hong Kong, it is properly registered in Washington state, and Mr. Wilson holds \u2063a concealed pistol license, \u2063his office said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The lawmaker\u2014who is the ranking member \u2064of the Senate State Government &#038; Elections Committee, and also\u200d sits on the Housing and Local \u200cGovernment, Human Services, and Transportation\u200c committees\u2014said he had flown \u2063to Hong Kong \u200bfrom Portland International Airport \u200bwhere he had passed through airport security.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>However, baggage screeners\u200c at \u200cPortland\u2062 International Airport failed\u2064 to detect \u200bthe gun, his office said.<\/p>\n<h2>&#8216;An Honest Mistake&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p>Mr. Wilson \u200c&#8221;felt his unloaded revolver inside&#8221; when he reached into his briefcase for a piece of gum\u200d during \u2063the flight, \u200daccording\u200d to his office.\u2062 &#8220;When the plane landed, he immediately went to customs officials and called their \u2063attention to the issue,&#8221; the statement \u2063said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>News reports that the\u2064 weapon\u200d was discovered during a bag check were \u200cfalse, his office stressed.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It was an honest mistake, and I expect the situation to be resolved shortly,&#8221; \u2063the senator, who is also a port commissioner\u200b in\u200d Longview,\u2062 said.<\/p>\n<p>According\u200b to Mr. \u200cWilson&#8217;s office, he is paying for the personal \u200cvacation \u200ctrip at his own expense and plans to visit Thailand, Cambodia, and\u200b Malaysia in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n<p>Mr. Wilson, who was first elected in 2020\u200b and represents\u200c the 19th Legislative\u2064 District in\u200c southwest Washington, also planned to meet \u2063with \u2063counterparts at\u2062 the port of Shanghai, \u200bthe statement\u200b said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>&#8220;Wilson said\u200b he hopes to resume his itinerary when the matter is resolved,&#8221; the statement \u200dadded.<\/p>\n<h2>Airport Security Failures<\/h2>\n<p>State Senate Republican Leader \u2064John Braun told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seattletimes.com\/seattle-news\/politics\/wa-state-senator-arrested-in-hong-kong\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Seattle \u2063Times<\/a> on Monday that officials \u2062are only just \u2062learning\u200b of the incident involving Mr. \u2062Wilson but that they stand by his account that it was an &#8220;honest mistake.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I \u2064do not have any additional information to share\u200b at this \u200dpoint, but\u2063 we are \u2063watching the\u2062 situation closely. That said,\u2063 I hope that this can be resolved\u2062 in a timely manner,&#8221; Mr. Braun told the publication.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>Meanwhile, Mr. Wilson told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.opb.org\/article\/2023\/10\/23\/washington-state-senator-jeff-wilson-arrested-gun-in-carry-on-hong-kong\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Oregon Public Broadcasting<\/a> that he will\u200d remain in Hong \u200cKong until\u2062 his upcoming\u2062 court hearing, and has been cooperating \u200bwith \u2062law enforcement \u2064officials.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Republican noted he is &#8220;quite happy and healthy.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>However, he stressed \u200cthat officials\u2062 at Portland International\u200d Airport should have spotted the gun in his carry-on\u2064 bag.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I should \u200bhave never been out of security in America,&#8221; Mr. Wilson \u200csaid. &#8220;We\u2019re\u2062 hopeful that I will successfully\u2063 adjudicate \u2063this and \u2062look\u2062 for a conclusion within a week, no\u200d problem,&#8221; he concluded.<\/p>\n<p>The Epoch Times has contacted the Transportation Security Administration for further information.<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2>What steps should be taken to ensure compliance with \u2063local laws and regulations regarding firearms and other restricted\u200d items \u2063when traveling internationally? What resources are available \u2062to assist travelers in \u2064understanding and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/washington-state-sen-jeff-wilson-arrested-charged-over-firearm-in-bag-at-hong-kong-airport\/\" title=\"Washington State Sen. Jeff Wilson arrested for carrying firearm in bag at Hong Kong Airport.\">navigating \u200dforeign gun control laws<\/a>? \u200dHow can travelers avoid unintentionally violating these laws\u200d and facing legal complications<\/h2>\n<p><span>  , the Washington state senator\u200d has been cooperative with authorities in Hong Kong\u2063 and has been fully \u200dtransparent about the incident.\u200c He\u2063 has expressed \u200cregret for the oversight and assured that it was unintentional. His office emphasized\u2062 that he has a strong\u200b record of supporting \u200bSecond Amendment \u200drights \u2062and has always been\u2062 a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mo-state-lawmakers-push-forward-2nd-amendment-protections\/\" title=\"Mo. state lawmakers push forward 2nd Amendment protections\">responsible gun owner<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>While it \u200dis unfortunate that this\u200b incident\u200c occurred, it highlights the importance of adhering to\u200c the laws \u200dand regulations of the countries we visit. It is crucial for travelers to familiarize\u2062 themselves with the\u2063 local laws \u2062regarding firearms \u200band other restricted items\u200c to ensure compliance and avoid any legal complications.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gun-violence-drives-up-crime-in-california-despite-most-stringent-gun-laws-in-the-country\/\" title=\"Strict gun laws in California have not curbed gun violence, leading to an increase in crime.\">strict gun control\u2064 laws<\/a> in Hong Kong indicate\u2063 that the \u200cpossession\u200c of firearms \u200bwithout a license is a serious offense, carrying severe penalties. If Mr. Wilson is\u2063 convicted,\u2062 he could face imprisonment of up to 14\u200d years and a substantial fine. However, it is important to note that each case is evaluated on its own merits, and Mr. Wilson&#8217;s cooperation and immediate reporting of the incident may factor\u200c into the final outcome.<\/p>\n<p>It\u200d is also worth noting that this incident does not reflect \u200dthe values or actions of the entire Washington state legislature or \u200dRepublican\u200d party. Senator \u200cJeff Wilson&#8217;s position as a ranking member of the Senate State Government &#038; Elections Committee and his \u200binvolvement in\u200d various \u200ccommittees\u2064 testifies to \u200chis dedication to public service and the wellbeing of his constituents.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, it is crucial to remember that everyone can make mistakes, and it is our response to \u200bthose mistakes that defines our character. Senator Jeff Wilson has taken responsibility for\u2063 the oversight\u200b and is actively seeking \u2062resolution. As we await the outcome of his upcoming hearing, we can only hope for a\u2062 fair\u2062 and just evaluation of the\u2063 circumstances surrounding this incident.<\/p>\n<p>In the future, it is imperative\u200b for all travelers to thoroughly check \u2063their belongings before \u200bembarking on \u200bany<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Washington state senator, Jeff Wilson, was arrested in Hong Kong on Oct. 20 for carrying an unlicensed firearm in his carry-on bag. He was charged with possession of an unregistered firearm and released two days later after posting bail, as per his office statement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":69,"featured_media":2078371,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2078370","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2078370","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/69"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2078370"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2078370\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2078371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2078370"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2078370"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2078370"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}