Hong Kong court drops gun charge against US state senator

A US state senator arrested in Hong Kong for possessing arms without a license was released by a Hong Kong court on Monday after agreeing to a good behavior order to settle the case.

Republican Stephen Jeff Wilson from Washington state was arrested on Oct 21 for having an unloaded revolver in his carry-on luggage during a flight to the city, which he later said was an "honest mistake".

At a Monday hearing, prosecutors agreed to settle the case against Wilson by imposing a bind-over order, which is used in some common law jurisdictions to cover minor offences.

Wilson, who appeared under the name Stephen J Wilson in court records, promised to be on good behavior for a period of two years. The firearm was confiscated.

Wilson was not required to enter a plea, though breaching the court order would result in a HK$2,000 fine, said principal magistrate Don So Man-lung.

Last week, Wilson's office issued a statement saying he "(expected) the situation to be resolved shortly".

The state legislator said he did not realize his revolver was in his briefcase when he passed through US airport security and only discovered the unloaded weapon mid-flight.

Wilson said he reported the issue to customs officials after the plane landed in Hong Kong.

He was granted bail shortly after his arrest.

Possession of arms or ammunition without a license in Hong Kong carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail and a HK$100,000 fine.