News
News

Rock star accused of bringing loaded gun to Atlanta airport

Rick Derringer, performing in 2012, was detained at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Monday. (Credit: Jeff Daly/Invision/AP)

Credit: Jeff Daly/Invision/AP

Credit: Jeff Daly/Invision/AP

Rick Derringer, performing in 2012, was detained at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Monday. (Credit: Jeff Daly/Invision/AP)
By Ellen Eldridge
Jan 11, 2017

Rock star Rick Derringer was detained at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport for having a loaded gun in his carry-on bag in a secure area, according to officials.

The Grammy-winning "Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo" singer was on his way back to the United States from Mexico on Monday night when TSA agents found the gun, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Federal law bans weapons on planes or in carry-on luggage.

Derringer, 69, was heading to a connecting flight to Florida, where he has a valid concealed weapons license, when a TSA supervisor noticed a gun magazine in the X-ray of his bag. The agent found a Kel-Tec .380 handgun and 12 rounds, Channel 2 reported.

The FBI has taken over the investigation.

About the Author

Ellen Eldridge
More Stories

Keep Reading

Hundreds flock to Atlanta for Sneaker Con to buy, sell, trade and build community around sneaker subculture Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Cobb Galleria (Chaya Tong/AJC)

Credit: Chaya Tong

Sneaker Con draws masses to Atlanta for shoes and status

One Sneaker Con attendee Saturday in Atlanta said: 'Once you have that rush of buying, buying, buying, it’s like a drug. You can’t stop.'

Emory University custodian charged after woman found dead in Atlanta park

Police found an unresponsive woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene, and charged a 57-year-old man who had worked for Emory University until Wednesday.

Finding his people, and his beautiful self

Photographer Arvin Temkar spent six months with a transgender drag performer, documenting an intimate look at how he has found himself and his community in Atlanta.

The Latest

Hundreds flock to Atlanta for Sneaker Con to buy, sell, trade and build community around sneaker subculture Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Cobb Galleria (Chaya Tong/AJC)

Credit: Chaya Tong

Sneaker Con draws masses to Atlanta for shoes and status

Things aligned right for the Hawks’ Asa Newell to land in Atlanta

Sweet Tea: Nothing beats a sunset

Featured

Roey Shoshan sits inside the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta in Dunwoody on Friday, June 27, 2025. Shoshan was born and raised in Israel and has lived in the United States for more than a decade. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

‘Leaves a tremendous mark on you’: Georgians recount arduous journeys home

In the midst of their travels, several Georgians found themselves at the center of a war zone when the Israeli Air Force preemptively struck Iran on June 13.

‘Diseases of despair’ afflict construction industry in Georgia

Male construction workers face a suicide rate 75% higher than that of the general population, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

1 dead, another critical after shooting at Atlanta park, police say

Atlanta police are investigating a fatal shooting at Coan Park just north of Memorial Drive in the Kirkwood neighborhood