Scotty McCreery cited for handgun at airport

Country singer Scotty McCreery has been cited after authorities say he had a loaded handgun with him in Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Authorities told local media organisations that they found a loaded nine-millimetre handgun in McCreery’s backpack at a security checkpoint on July 13. He told authorities he had been at a firing range and forgot to take the gun out. He was flying to Nashville, Tennessee.

Authorities say he had a valid concealed carry permit. He was cited for a misdemeanour concealed weapon permit violation and released.

McCreery told WTVD-TV in a statement that he has learnt a lesson he won’t forget, adding, “I take gun safety very seriously.”

The singer is an American Idol winner and North Carolina native.