Joe Jackson, father of the late pop star Michael Jackson, leaves the courthouse during Dr. Conrad Murray's trial in the death of his son in Los Angeles September 28, 2011. REUTERS/Gus Ruelas

Michael Jackson's father Joe stunned onlookers by showing off what appeared to be a handgun at a Las Vegas awards show over the weekend.

The 84 year old was onstage at the Black Music Awards in Sin City when he opened his suit jacket to reveal a holster attached to his belt.

The musical family's patriarch was recalling a past confrontation with the King of Pop's bodyguards, and told the crowd, "I carry a piece (gun) everywhere I go... I'm gonna show it to you."

According to TMZ.com, he insisted, "I've been threatened a lot of times and so I need to be safe."

The entertainment website also published a photograph of Jackson speaking into a microphone at the event while showing off what looked like a revolver tucked underneath his jacket.