US state senator charged over 'gun in luggage'

A US state senator, Jeff Wilson, appeared at Shatin Magistrates' Court yesterday over a revolver seized from his baggage at Hong Kong International Airport on Saturday.

The 63-year-old Washington state Republican was charged with one count of possession of a firearm without a license.

He is believed to be the first American state senator to be charged with such an offense in the city.

Wilson, who does not have any form of fixed residence in Hong Kong, was found to have the revolver in the passenger baggage claim area upon arriving, customs officers said.

Wilson, a businessman, was arrested after being unable to provide a license for the revolver.

He was not required to enter a plea when he appeared before magistrate Kelly Shui.

He was granted bail of HK$20,000 but had to hand in his travel documents. He was also banned from leaving Hong Kong.

Shui adjourned the case to October 30 to West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts.

Upon leaving the court building Wilson and his wife were photographed by local media. They then scolded the media, declared they had to delete the photos and banned them from sending the photos to others, saying they did not have the right.

Wilson and his wife also called police to say no photography should be allowed even outside the court.

After police mediation, the couple said they would take pictures of reporters outside the court. Reporters then left the court accompanied by security guards.

Customs and Excise Department officials said they had no comment on the case since legal proceedings are under way.

Wilson represents the 19th legislative district in Washington state, taking office on January 11, 2021. His term ends on January 13, 2025.

"Wilson, elected in 2020, has long been active in the Longview-Kelso business community, with ventures in sanitation and environmental services," his website states. "In addition to his senate duties he serves concurrently as a commissioner for the Port of Longview, where he has been a leader in efforts to reduce taxes, eliminate fees and bring good-paying jobs to the community."

In August, Wilson helped guns to be displayed at museums as a new law that he had sponsored was said to end a glitch that prevented firearms donations and loans. According to Washington's firearms-transfer law, approved by voters in 2014, anyone acquiring a firearm must undergo a criminal background check.

That means the state's museums cannot possess a firearm as they are not individual people and so cannot undergo a criminal background check.

"[They] gave an exemption to theatrical productions, but they forgot about museums," Wilson said.

"Guns are part of our history and culture. How can you tell our nation's story without firearms?"

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com