Evanston aldermen unanimously approved an assault weapons ban Monday night, just six days after Illinois enacted the last concealed-carry law in the country.

Although the state legislation contains significant restrictions on local communities’ ability to regulate guns, it does allow cities to criminalize assault weapons, as long as any ban is passed by Wednesday. Evanston passed its ordinance with three days to spare before the state deadline.

The new ordinance amends city code to criminalize the possession, transfer, sale or display of assault weapons, with exceptions for military personnel and law enforcement. The legislation approved by the council permits federally licensed firearms collectors to own assault weapons, a significant change from the original draft. The draft was also revised to exclude hunting rifles from being classified as assault weapons. Last week, Ald. Don Wilson (4th) moved to postpone the council’s vote so amendments could be made.

Read more about the passage of Evanston’s assault weapons ban.

— Ciara McCarthy