PITTSBURGH, PA — Allegheny County Police have charged 58-year-old Franklin Barker of West Virginia after a loaded handgun was discovered in his backpack at the alternate security checkpoint at Pittsburgh International Airport.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:50 a.m. on June 11, 2024, when Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers detected the firearm during a routine screening and promptly alerted the Allegheny County Police. Upon investigation, authorities determined that Barker did not have a valid concealed carry permit.
Barker is now facing a misdemeanor charge of carrying a firearm without a license. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has also been notified of the incident.
The TSA reminds passengers that bringing firearms to an airport security checkpoint can result in federal civil fines up to $10,000, with repeat offenders facing fines up to $13,910. Travelers are urged to familiarize themselves with regulations regarding the transportation of firearms to avoid such serious consequences.