Woman charged with bringing gun to Bridgeview courthouse

A woman was charged after police say they found a loaded handgun as she was entering a courthouse in southwest suburban Bridgeview Wednesday.

Denise Smith, 47, was charged with one count of unlawful use of a weapon on government property and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon after Cook County sheriff’s deputies found her in possession of a loaded .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver as she tried to enter the courthouse, the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

Cook County sheriff’s office photo

Smith, of Oak Lawn, did not have a concealed carry license nor a valid Firearm Owner Identification Card, the sheriff’s office said.

Smith is scheduled to appear in bond court Thursday.