TSA investigating how Washington state lawmaker got gun on plane
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State Sen. Jeff Wilson. Photo: Courtesy of the Washington State Legislature
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is investigating how a Washington state lawmaker got a gun past the security checkpoint at Portland International Airport.
Catch up quick: Washington state Sen. Jeff Wilson (R-Longview) was arrested at Hong Kong International Airport after flying there for vacation late last week with an unloaded gun in his carry-on bag, his office said Monday in a statement.
- Wilson's statement said he became aware of the firearm mid-flight, after boarding a connecting flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong.
- Wilson has been charged in Hong Kong with possessing an unregistered firearm and was released Sunday after posting bail, his office said.
- You're not allowed to take guns on planes and can face stiff fines for doing so, per the TSA, unless you declare them in your checked baggage and store them properly.
The latest: "TSA takes this situation very seriously and is currently investigating the circumstances," the agency said in a statement shared with Axios.
- The agency said a TSA internal investigation involves reviewing CCTV footage and images from screening equipment.
- It's possible that corrective action or increased training will be required, per the agency.
What they're saying: "It was an honest mistake, and I expect the situation to be resolved shortly," the statement from Wilson said.
- Wilson's office says the state senator reported the gun to customs authorities in Hong Kong when he arrived there.
- His office added that although the gun is not registered in Hong Kong, Wilson has a concealed pistol license in Washington, where the gun is registered.
Background: Wilson was elected to the Washington State Senate in 2020 and is the ranking Republican on the body's State Government and Elections Committee.
- His office said Wilson was flying to Hong Kong with his wife to start a five-week personal vacation in Southeast Asia.
What's next: Wilson has a court hearing scheduled on Oct. 30.
Of note: TSA officers have successfully detected 43 firearms at security checkpoints at the Portland airport to date, the agency said.
- A passenger bringing a firearm to an airport security checkpoint can face a maximum civil penalty of nearly $15,000.