Local News in Brief : Gun Sets Off Detector at Court; Woman Held

A Pacoima woman was arrested when a .25-caliber pistol in her purse was discovered by a recently installed metal detector at the San Fernando Courthouse, authorities said.

Josefina Salazar, 39, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon, said Lt. Edwin M. Powell, a Los Angeles County deputy marshal in charge of the courthouse.

She posted $500 bail and was released shortly after her arrest, said Lt. Tony Pennington of the San Fernando Police Department.

Deputy marshals found the gun after Salazar passed through the metal detector, which was installed last week at the front door of the courthouse, Powell said. Salazar had gone to the courthouse to get an extension on a traffic ticket and apparently did not see the signs outside the front door warning against taking weapons inside, Pennington said.

Salazar told police she had the gun for protection because she often carries large sums of money from the beauty parlor she runs, Pennington said. She had $600 in her purse when arrested, he said.