No-gun stickers have recently appeared on doors throughout SIU’s campus in response to the new concealed carry legislation, which went into effect Jan. 5.

Though no concealed carry permits have yet been issued, Democratic State Rep. Brandon Phelps of Eldorado said it is important to raise awareness about the new law before the Illinois State Police start issuing permits.

“The bill does exclude any buildings on a university campus,” Phelps said. “They’re probably just posting the signs as a precautionary measure.”

Phelps, who has been working on concealed carry legislation for Illinois for more than 11 years, co-authored the bill, which was able to please Congress members on both sides of the issue.

“I was just tired of seeing law-abiding citizens being denied their constitutional rights,” he said.

Phelps said the new concealed carry legislation is one of the most restrictive in the nation.

“We didn’t reinvent the wheel on this,” he said. “Illinois is the last state in the country to pass a concealed carry bill.”

Though the law has already gone into effect, there is still controversy about the restrictive nature of the law, especially regarding locations where firearms will not be allowed.

In addition to universities, prohibited locations include government buildings, hospitals, public transportation, amusement parks, zoos, libraries, playgrounds and airports, among others.

Additional provisions for universities in the new law include prohibiting persons from carrying firearms within any vehicle owned or controlled by the college or university, establishing the college’s own policies involving discipline and designating areas for parking vehicles that carry firearms.

Colleges may permit carrying and use of firearms for recognized programs, such as a shooting club, firearm instruction, military science and law enforcement training.

“There are a lot of restrictions. People need to know that,” Phelps said.

The state police were given 90 days to set up a system for issuing permits and for handgun training programs.

A task force has been formed to merge Firearm Owner Identification cards and concealed carry licenses into a designation that can be included on an individual’s driver’s license or state ID card.

For more information on the concealed carry law, visit ccl4illinois.com.

Christy Stewart can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter at @DE_Christy or at 536-3311 ext.268.