‘Gun-free’ signs scarce; for many, that’s OK

Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close ‘Gun-free’ signs scarce; for many, that’s OK 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Although it’s been more than two years since Illinois approved allowing people to carry concealed weapons, few businesses appear worried about prohibiting patrons from exercising the right.

Just a handful have posted signs required under the law for places that do not want weapons carried on the premises.

And that seems fine with many customers, who say businesses displaying such a warning could be opening themselves up to criminals — who won’t pay attention to the law anyway.

A check of downtown Jacksonville businesses and offices Friday found four of 35 had notices posted that weapons were not allowed. Of those with a sign, one was a bank, two were state-run departments and the other was an educational institution.

Businesses, as well as private property owners, can prohibit people from carrying concealed weapons by putting a sticker or sign in the front window.

“My thought is this sign is telling criminals ‘Hey, come in here,’” Walter Reinhardt said. “‘We will not protect ourselves; we are ready to be robbed or murdered.”

Mike Woodyard agreed.

“I avoid them as much as possible,” he said. “Criminals look for ‘gun-free zones’.”

Josh Burns said he has stopped patronizing businesses that have the signs.

“If you want my business, lose the sign,” he said.

Some groups, especially in larger cities in Illinois, have pushed for more businesses to declare themselves gun-free zones.

But one of the common themes among those opposed to it is the thought that the signs do little to provide additional protection against those who are armed.

“I work in a popular strip mall that is gun-free,” Tonya Adams said. “No, this sticker does not make me feel safe at all. Just because the average person will obey it doesn’t mean the person that wants to rob me at the end of the night will.”

The signs, uniform in design, depict a red circle with a line through a black pistol. The sign has to be at least 4 inches by 6 inches in size.

A licensed person who is carrying a concealed gun in a restricted space can be charged with a misdemeanor. The state may suspend a person’s concealed-carry license for up to six months for a second violation and can revoke the license after three or more violations.

Nick Draper can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1223, or on Twitter @nick_draper.