A senator from the US state of Washington was arrested on Friday night at Hong Kong International Airport over a gun in his carry-on bag, his office said.
Jeff Wilson, a Republican from the city of Longview, was charged with possession of an unregistered firearm after he arrived in the Chinese territory with an unloaded pistol, his office said in a statement.
He was released on Sunday on bail and faces a hearing on Monday next week.
Photo grab from Wilson’s website
Wilson traveled from Portland International Airport, with a layover in San Francisco, for a five-week vacation in Southeast Asia with his wife, the statement said, adding that baggage screens in the US did not detect the weapon.
Wilson discovered the firearm on his way to Hong Kong and informed customs officials right after he landed, it said.
“It was an honest mistake, and I expect the situation to be resolved shortly,” Wilson said in the statement.
He also denied reports that the weapon was discovered during a bag check, saying he “immediately went to customs officials and called their attention to the issue” upon landing.
Previously, Hong Kong media reported that he was detained after a baggage screener found a gun in his belongings.
Firearms are a growing concern at US airports, where authorities intercepted almost 20 guns a day at security checkpoints during the third quarter. The number is on record pace again this year, as looser restrictions make gun carriage more commonplace. Americans are allowed to travel with firearms in checked luggage, but bringing them into the cabin, as with carry-on baggage, is illegal.
In Hong Kong, firearms are strictly regulated, with few, mainly police and private security contractors, allowed to carry guns. The maximum penalty for possessing arms without a license is 14 years in prison and a fine of HK$100,000 (US$12,784).
Wilson said that while his pistol was not registered in Hong Kong, it is properly registered in Washington state, where he holds a concealed pistol license, the statement said.
Wilson said he found his gun mid-flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong when he reached into his briefcase for a piece of gum.
A spokesperson for the US Transportation Security Administration declined to immediately comment and said it would have a response later yesterday.
Wilson, a port commissioner in Longview, had planned to meet with counterparts at the port of Shanghai, in addition to traveling to Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia. He said he hoped to resume his itinerary when the case is resolved.
Taiwan last night blanked world No. 1 Japan 4-0 to win the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) Premier12 for the first time. Taiwanese ace Lin Yu-min (林昱珉) held defending champions Japan to just one hit and no runs in the first four innings, before catcher Lin Chia-cheng (林家正) opened the fifth inning with a solo home run. That was soon followed by a three-run homer from Taiwanese captain Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲) to put Taiwan ahead in the prestigious tournament of the world’s top 12 baseball teams. In addition to a superb performance from 21-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Lin, three more Taiwanese pitchers
Taiwan yesterday advanced to the gold medal match of the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) Premier12 for the first time in history, despite last night losing 9-6 to Japan. Taiwan advanced after the US defeated Venezuela in the first game on the last day of the Super Round. However, the US had no chance of advancing to the championship game unless it defeated Venezuela by at least nine points. The US won 6-5. As a result, the two teams — who both had one win and two losses in the Super Round — are to face off again in the
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電), the world’s biggest contract chipmaker, yesterday held an equipment installation ceremony for its first 2-nanometer fab in Kaohsiung, six months ahead of schedule, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said. “To cope with the strong global demand for advanced chips, TSMC is to start moving in equipment for its first-ever 2-nanometer fab half a year earlier than scheduled,” Chen said at an question-and-answer session at the Kaohsiung City Council. TSMC’s 2-nanometer process technology would help accelerate the development of artificial intelligence (AI) applications as well as the transformation of local industries in Kaohsiung, Chen said in a
TEAM TAIWAN: While lawmakers proposed declaring Nov. 24 a national day, the CPBL commissioner urged the legislature to pass the budget for sports development Lawmakers yesterday proposed designating Nov. 24 as National Baseball Day and updating the design of the NT$500 bill to honor the national team’s victory in the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s Premier12 championship on Sunday, as thousands of fans came out to see the players parade down the streets of Taipei. Players, coaches and staff from the national team returned home on Monday night after achieving their best-ever performance in an international baseball tournament. After receiving a rapturous welcome at the airport, the players turned out yesterday for a street parade in front of thousands of adoring fans waving Taiwanese flags and
RSS