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Washington state senator arrested in Hong Kong after discovering firearm in his luggage

Sen. Jeff Wilson, a Republican out of Longview, said he didn't know his pistol was in his briefcase when he went through airport security in Portland.

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Senator Jeff Wilson was arrested at Hong Kong International Airport Oct. 20 after he discovered his own revolver in his carry-on luggage and reported it to customs, according to his office. 

Wilson, a Republican out of Longview, was charged with possession of an unregistered firearm and released Oct. 22 after posting bail. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 30.

The revolver is properly registered in Washington state.

“It was an honest mistake, and I expect the situation to be resolved shortly,” he said in a prepared statement from his office.

According to the statement, "press accounts" that indicate the weapon was discovered during a bag check are false.

According to the statement from his office, the revolver was in Wilson's briefcase. It was not detected by security at Portland International Airport.

Wilson said he found the revolver mid-flight between San Francisco and Hong Kong when he was searching for gum. 

Wilson went to customs officials when the plane landed, according to the statement from his office. 

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