Illinois State Police Harass Citizens on Gun Rights

[Hazcat]

Here is the report.

http://www.isra.org/

ISRA Press Release:
ISRA Asks Senator Kotowski to Explain State Police Infringements on First Amendment Rights of Illinois Gun Owners
 
Note to our members:
Please read the following ISRA Press Release, and if any of you have received similar visits from the Illinois State Police after contacting Illinois Legislators (via telephone, USPS mail, email, or fax), then please contact the ISRA office at 815-635-3198.


CHICAGO, June 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):

The ISRA is expressing great concern over reports that Illinois State Police (ISP) detectives have been visiting the homes of people who phoned or faxed Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) to express opposition to gun control legislation sponsored by the senator. The ISRA has recently conducted a thorough investigation into one complaint, and is gathering additional information on as many as several dozen other reported incidents of police questioning citizens who have spoken out against gun control legislation.

In the case investigated thus far, the respondent reports that ISP detectives arrived at his home, unannounced, and informed him that their visit was in response to faxes he sent to Sen. Kotowski. The detectives then went on to ask the citizen questions about his mental health and other personal matters. Although the citizen was not arrested, he reports that he feels that the detectives were there to deliver the message that it's not a good idea to criticize Dan Kotowski or the gun control measures Kotowski supports.

"The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of citizens to petition the government for the redress of grievances," said ISRA Executive Director, Richard Pearson. "Of course, the manner in which citizens exercise that right must not include any threats of harm against elected officials."

"When we first heard about the ISP visits to homes of people who had sent faxes to Sen. Kotowski, we were concerned that some folks may have acted inappropriately," continued Pearson. "However, upon inspection of the faxes in question, we see absolutely no reason for the ISP to visit citizens' homes -- other than to possibly put a damper on the citizen's desire to participate in the legislative process."

"At this time, we are asking Sen. Kotowski to produce any evidence he may have which illustrates threatening behavior on the part of citizens who have received ISP visits," said Pearson. "If Sen. Kotowski cannot produce any such evidence, then we will be asking Attorney General Madigan to conduct an investigation into the apparent use of the ISP to suppress the First Amendment rights of persons who express opposition to gun control legislation."

The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners.

Posted Tue Jun 19 06:37:41 CDT 2007

 

[Pathfinder]

Reminiscent of the Soviets use of "mental health" as a way to jail people the gummint didn't like, no?

I am so freaking glad I got the heck out that fascist state when I did.

And AG Lisa Madigan - the thirty something, unmarried woman with NO criminal cases under her belt who was elected solely because her daddy (Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan) put her on the ballot with Daley's blessing. And they thought Ryan was corrupt - well, OK he was, but so are they, in spades!

Gorget the AG, go to the courts NOW, preferably Federal as most of the state judges are in Daley's pocket.

[Hazcat]

Reminiscent of the Soviets use of "mental health" as a way to jail people the gummint didn't like, no?

I am so freaking glad I got the heck out that fascist state when I did.

And AG Lisa Madigan - the thirty something, unmarried woman with NO criminal cases under her belt who was elected solely because her daddy (Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan) put her on the ballot with Daley's blessing. And they thought Ryan was corrupt - well, OK he was, but so are they, in spades!

Gorget the AG, go to the courts NOW, preferably Federal as most of the state judges are in Daley's pocket.

Terrifying what elected officials think they can (and do) get away with.

[Lawrence Keeney]

Get the ACLU to file a civil rights lawsuit against the state police and the legislator who did that. If the ACLU wont touch it, there are any number of conservative legal groups who wouldnt mind taking it, probably.

[Shawn S]

I wonder if a filed police report in which one's mental health was discussed is going to come into play with the new bill on the table.  It wouldn't surprise me to hear that these people's background checks will now be flagged because of this.

[Sponsor]

[texcaliber]

I wonder if a filed police report in which one's mental health was discussed is going to come into play with the new bill on the table.  It wouldn't surprise me to hear that these people's background checks will now be flagged because of this.

It souldnt but then again the assualt on the 2nd and soooo many other travisties seem like they sould not of taken place either.
tex

[Rastus]

It souldnt but then again the assualt on the 2nd and soooo many other travisties seem like they sould not of taken place either.
tex

There is a reason the Founding Fathers established the 2nd ammendment.

It was not to protect hunting.