US state senator acquitted of illegal firearms possession in Hong Kong.

Given that he avoided trouble for the following two years, a Hong Kong court cleared U.S. State Senator Jeff Wilson of illegally possessing a handgun in the Chinese-controlled city.

Wilson, a representative for the 19th district in the Washington State Senate, was detained in Hong Kong on October 21 as he entered the airport carrying a handgun in his carry-on bag. He is a member of the Republican Party, a commissioner for the Port of Longview, and has been a member of the state senate since 2021.

Wilson was cleared of all charges of unlawful firearm possession by Hong Kong Principal Magistrate Don So. Wilson was also given a “bind-over order” requiring him to maintain peace and behave well for two years, in addition to a monetary fine of HKD$2,000 ($256).

He said he leaned toward thinking Wilson did not intentionally breach the law.

“He used to be a trade representative to China and Hong Kong, so this is not the first time he has visited either country. He ought to have known that China and Hong Kong had stringent inspection policies,” he stated.

Wilson was on the first phase of a five-week holiday in Southeast Asia, traveling with his spouse. The court was informed that he made a self-declaration of arms at customs and unintentionally transported a handgun.

According to a statement on his website, he did not realize his weapon was in his briefcase when he went through airport security in Portland, Oregon, and baggage screeners missed it.

According to the statement, the firearm was found when he went inside his bag for a piece of gum in mid-air between San Francisco and Hong Kong and touched his empty pistol.

In Hong Kong, it is against the law to carry a handgun without a license. Offenders risk a maximum sentence of 14 years in jail and a fine of up to $100,000 ($12,800).