Scotty McCreery is speaking out about his citation for trying to carry a gun through an airport checkpoint. The American Idol winner says that he has “learned a lesson” after being stopped with a loaded handgun and ammo in his backpack.
On Friday evening, the “I Love You This Big” singer gave a statement to Billboard about the incident.
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“I have been a concealed carry permit holder for a while now after being robbed at gunpoint in 2014, and I take gun safety very seriously,” he said.
“While in between tour dates last week, I went to go target shooting with a friend a few days before an early flight out of my hometown Raleigh-Durham airport. Unfortunately, I did not realize that I left my pistol in my backpack until the TSA found it during the security X-ray screening and rightfully confiscated it. I had my concealed carry permit on me so once they had checked everything out, they then released me to catch the next available flight. Great to know our airport security force is on the job. I have learned a lesson that I won’t forget.”
On July 13, McCreery was cited for “misdemeanor violation for trying to carry the firearm through an airport checkpoint and board a plane with it, according to authorities,” according to News & Observer.
The incident report said that law enforcement officials found a 9mm Smith and Wesson loaded handgun in his backpack along with two boxes of ammo.
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McCreery told the police that he’d been at a firing range before going to the airport and had forgotten to remove the weapon. Last week, the 23-year-old musician also opened up about the incident during an interview with People magazine.
