We believe that a financial institution, and any other owner of private property, may post a sign to prohibit the concealed carrying of firearms on the premises. The Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act permits the “owner of private real property of any type” to post a sign prohibiting concealed firearms on the premises. 430 ILCS 66/65(a-10). While the law does not define “private real property,” the widely accepted meaning of that term certainly would include a bank branch or office that is not located on public property (which is addressed elsewhere in the law). The fact that your premises are open to the public does not change the fact that the premises is private property and that your institution may choose to prohibit concealed firearms on this property.

Having said that, as noted above, the law provides that the “owner” of the private real property may post a sign prohibiting concealed firearms on the premises.  As stated in our  Concealed Carry FAQ: “While the law does not define the term ‘owner,’ we believe it is intended to permit you to post the signs at your branches and other office locations even if your bank is leasing the property. You may wish to seek an addendum to your existing leases or obtain other written authorizations from the property owners for posting these signs, and when entering into new leases it would be advisable to include a provision expressly authorizing you to post these signs.”

Of course, any posted signs must comply with the Illinois State Police’s requirements, which are detailed on its website (with a PDF version of the permitted sign).