Hong Kong Court Dismisses Firearms Charge Against Washington State Senator Jeff Wilson

Sen. Wilson acquitted following 'honest mistake' of carrying unregistered firearm into Hong Kong, issued 'bind-over' order requiring good behavior for two years or face a $255 fine.

Washington state Senator Jeff Wilson was acquitted in a Hong Kong court following his self-declared incident of carrying an unregistered firearm into the region, calling it an 'honest mistake'. Wilson discovered the firearm during his flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong.
Though Wilson's firearm was not registered in Hong Kong, it is registered in Washington, and he holds a concealed firearms license. His luggage passed through security checks in Portland and San Francisco undetected.
Principal Magistrate Don So issued a 'bind-over' order instead of a plea to possessing an unlicensed firearm, stating that Wilson must maintain good behaviour and avoid further firearm offenses for two years in China or face a fine of 2,000 Hong Kong dollars ($255).
Hong Kong's gun laws are stricter than in the United States with the charge of carrying an unlicensed gun carrying a potential fine of up to 100,000 Hong Kong dollars ($12,800) and a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
The case was resolved without a conviction, leaving Wilson free to continue his five-week vacation in Southeast Asia with his wife. He stated he packed quickly for the trip and failed to check the contents of his luggage, attributing the presence of the gun to a careless error.

South China Morning Post