Nineteenth Legislative District state Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, was arrested at the Hong Kong International Airport Friday evening for having an unloaded revolver in his carry-on luggage.
According to a spokesperson, Wilson did not enter a plea during an initial court appearance.
Wilson was granted bail of 20,000 Hong Kong dollars, equivalent to about $2,500. He surrendered his travel documents and was told not to leave Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 30.
Wilson was charged with possessing a firearm without a license. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of seven to 14 years in jail. During an initial appearance, Wilson said he understood the charges.
“It was an honest mistake and I expect the situation to be resolved shortly,” Wilson said in a statement to The Chronicle Monday morning.
The gun is legally registered to Wilson in Washington, but not in Hong Kong.
According to Wilson, he discovered the unloaded firearm in his carry-on luggage mid-flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong. Wilson traveled to the region for a five-week trip through Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia. Wilson was not acting in any legislative capacity during the privately funded trip, he said.
After landing in Hong Kong, Wilson alerted airport security of the gun he found during the flight. Media representatives for the Hong Kong International Airport and the Shatin Magistrates Courts did not respond to requests for comment before The Chronicle’s press deadline Monday.
In a phone call, a media representative for Wilson noted the unloaded firearm was undetected when Wilson went through American airport security.
Senate Republican Leader John Braun, who represents the 20th district, issued a statement on Wilson's arrest Monday afternoon.
“We are learning about the incident with Sen. Wilson at the same time as the press and public here in America. As I understand it, this was an honest mistake. I do not have any additional information to share at this point, but we are watching the situation closely," Braun said in the statement. "That said, I hope that this can be resolved in a timely manner."
Wilson took office in January 2021 and is the ranking member of the State Government and Elections committee. Wilson also serves on the Housing, Human Services and Transportation committees. He has served as a commissioner for the Port of Longview since 2016. In September, Wilson announced he planned to seek reelection to the Senate in 2024.
Wilson had several meetings scheduled for the trip, including with officials from the Port of Shanghai, his media representative told The Chronicle.
During the 2023 legislative session, Wilson sponsored legislation that exempts museums and historical societies from criminal background check requirements when firearms are loaned, gifted or purchased.
