To comply with a new Illinois law on firearms, Northwestern will place signs explicitly prohibiting guns on all University buildings and properties. 

The Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act, which passed in July, allows registered gun owners with an appropriate license to carry a concealed weapon in most public places. Colleges and universities, however, are one of 22 types of locations where  “concealed carry” is not allowed under the law.  

 The University has a no-weapons policy that will remain in effect. The signs, which will show a black hand gun surrounded by a red circle with a diagonal slash through the center, will only be added because they are required by state law.

Illinois was the last state in the country to legalize concealed carry after a 2012 federal court ruling mandated lawmakers enact such a law. Its passage became especially controversial in Evanston when the City Council took advantage of a provision which allowed local municipalities to ban assault weapons. As of mid-January, 30 Evanston citizens had applied for a license to carry a concealed weapon.

The concealed carry act prohibits weapons in other locations including airports, amusement parks, arenas of professional or collegiate sporting events, zoos or museums and public parks.

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