Hang on Sloopy rocker is charged with taking a loaded gun in his carry-on bag on a Delta flight

  • Rick Derringer, 69, was charged with unlawfully entering airport's secure area
  • Carried loaded gun in carry-on bag on flight from Cancun to Florida with Atlanta stopover, prosecutors said
  • TSA at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport noticed ammo in bag
  • He was carrying a Cal-Tech 380 handgun and, in total, 12 rounds of ammunition
  • Criminal complaint says he has Florida pistol permit and thought he could bring gun on planes 

By Associated Press and Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 14:02 EST, 10 February 2017 | Updated: 15:12 EST, 10 February 2017

Rock guitarist Rick Derringer carried a loaded gun in his carry-on bag on a Delta Air Lines flight from Cancun, Mexico, but was stopped after landing in Atlanta, prosecutors said.

A federal air marshal quoted in court records says the Grammy-winning musician and 'Hang on Sloopy' singer told him that he flies as many as 50 times per year with the gun in his carry-on bag, and has never had a problem.

A criminal complaint says Derringer, 69, has a Florida pistol permit and thought he could bring the gun on airplanes. Bringing a weapon on a plane is banned by federal law.

Prosecutors say Derringer carried a loaded gun in his carry-on bag on a Delta Air Lines flight from Cancun, Mexico, but was stopped after landing in Atlanta, prosecutors said. Pictured: Rick Derringer performs during a 2006 campaign rally

Prosecutors say Derringer carried a loaded gun in his carry-on bag on a Delta Air Lines flight from Cancun, Mexico, but was stopped after landing in Atlanta, prosecutors said. Pictured: Rick Derringer performs during a 2006 campaign rally

Derringer was charged with unlawfully entering an airport's secure area January 9. 

He was going through recheck at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport when a TSA supervisor saw a gun magazine in his bag, WSBTV reported. 

He was carrying a Cal-Tech 380 handgun and, in total, 12 rounds of ammunition.

His gun was impounded and he was allowed to continue on to Florida.

He was going through recheck at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport when a TSA supervisor saw a gun magazine in his bag
He was carrying a Cal-Tech 380 handgun and, in total, 12 rounds of ammunition

A criminal complaint says Derringer, 69, has Florida pistol permit and thought he could bring the gun on airplanes. Bringing a weapon on a plane is banned by federal law. He was charged with unlawfully entering an airport's secure area Jan 9. Pictured: Derringer in concert

A spokesperson told the television station that the TSA does not screen passengers in Mexico.

Derringer's representatives didn't immediately return calls and emails.

A Transportation Security Administration spokesman had no immediate comment.

Derringer sang the 1965 hit 'Hang on Sloopy' and recorded songs including 'Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo' and 'Real American.'

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