Officials report a Transportation Security Administration agent failed to detect Washington state Sen. Jeff Wilson’s gun during routine X-ray screening at Portland International Airport in October, which led to Wilson’s arrest in Hong Kong.
TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers said the agent didn’t detect the weapon during luggage screening when Wilson was flying to San Francisco International Airport, en route to Hong Kong.
Wilson, R-Longview, said he discovered the weapon mid-flight over the Pacific Ocean and told authorities once he landed in Hong Kong, where he was briefly arrested.
Dankers said TSA is not releasing additional information about the incident due to “a pending civil enforcement action” against Wilson. According to TSA policy, the agency could impose fines ranging from $1,500 if an unloaded firearm is found at a security checkpoint to $5,370 if loaded.
Wilson’s revolver was unloaded, according to Wilson’s office.
The security breach was found after TSA conducted a review of the Oct. 20 incident, including viewing footage of the security checkpoint, security screening images, and statements made by TSA officers on duty. Dankers said TSA cannot discuss disciplinary actions against staff.
Initially, Wilson was accused of possessing an unlicensed firearm, but a Hong Kong magistrate dismissed the charges. Wilson called the incident an “honest mistake.”
“Over the Pacific, I reached into my briefcase for gum and felt my gun instead,” he said in a press release. “My heart sank. I understood immediately what had happened and that my only option was to report to the proper authorities.”
