Hong Kong drops gun charge against Washington state Sen. Jeff Wilson

Last week, Washington state Sen. Jeff Wilson said it was an honest mistake when he arrived in Hong Kong with a gun in his briefcase.

Wilson was promptly arrested, charged with possession of an unregistered firearm, released on bail, and instructed to remain in the country.

Now, a Chinese court has dropped the charge against him. His passport has been returned and he has been allowed to continue on his trip, according to a statement from his office.

“The Chinese authorities conducted themselves in a professional manner, and I commend them for their diligence,” Wilson said in a statement. “The mistake, after all, was fully mine. I am relieved we were able to resolve this matter efficiently, and I want to apologize for the concern I created."

"I think we all can learn from what happened here. First, of course, to always check your carry-on baggage before you go through airport security. But more important, when you make a mistake like this one, the right thing to do is to show respect and accept responsibility.”