Scotty McCreery was cited with a misdemeanor violation for carrying a pistol through Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina last week.

The American Idol Season 10 champion told Entertainment Tonight that he forgot the gun was in his backpack.

"I have been a concealed carry permit holder for awhile now after being robbed at gunpoint in 2014, and I take gun safety very seriously," the singer explained. "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 rightly 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," he continued. "Great to know our airport security force is on the job. I have learned a lesson that I won't forget."

In 2014, suspects armed with guns invaded an apartment McCreery was staying at and robbed the singer and his friends.

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