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Write Your Rep; Get Police Visit

Citizen

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Here is a story with unpleasant implications. I found it at David Hardy's website, http://www.armsandthelaw.com. The link to the story is below the story.

Illinois State Rifle Assoc. Press Release:


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



http://www.isra.org/


I think they picked on the wrong people. :)
 

openryan

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Wow, they really seemed to have crossed the line with this stunt.

Did this guy honestly think that nobody would put two and two together and realize the police were visiting everyone who had a written opposition?
 

IanB

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Serious problems there!

Just curious, why is this in the NM forum and not IL?
 

worrbaron

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Wow, it is stunts like this that make me wonder why anyone would want to live in IL.
 

Citizen

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nakedshoplifter wrote:
Just curious, why is this in the NM forum and not IL?

Because the dummy who started the thread didn't pay attention to which forum he was putting it in. What an idiot!

They'll let anybody onto this board.
 

John Pierce

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Citizen wrote:
nakedshoplifter wrote:
Just curious, why is this in the NM forum and not IL?

Because the dummy who started the thread didn't pay attention to which forum he was putting it in. What an idiot!

They'll let anybody onto this board.
I moved it. :quirky
 

HankT

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Citizen wrote:
Because the dummy who started the thread didn't pay attention to which forum he was putting it in. What an idiot!

They'll let anybody onto this board.
Personal attack! Personal attack!
 

Dutch Uncle

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Chairman Daley runs a very repressive regime in his socialist paradise, typical of any city or state run by a one-party political machine. I'll be very surprised if he or any of his flacks come out against this stalinist tactic. They probably consider it quite amusing. If the emails show no threats I hope a major lawsuit follows.

Just imagine, Comrade Daley, in Virginia, the honest citizens can even open carry in the General Assembly while lobbying their legislators! No fear and loathing, no attacks, just free men and women exercising their rights. A while back some VSP and BATF agents tried to imtimidate some Virginians at a gun show, but that was nipped in the bud, and the perpetrators were made to look stupid. I certainly hope the same happens in Ill.
 

SicSemperTyrannis

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Just to give "credt" where it is due: Henrico County, Virginiapolice officers also came under serious fire for their (mis)behavior at the gun show and in the next couple days afterwards. Congressional hearings were held about the Richmond gun show fiasco and the BATF and others were called to DC to explain their actions. Col. Stanley senta topdeputy to Congress to explain his officers actions and explain some (relatively minor) "lessons" the department had learned and to admit to a few mistakes they say won't be repeated.
 

lockman

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The "crap" with the Illinois state police (ISP) is still going on. There are two high profile cases going on where the "person of interest" has had their firearms seized and Firearm Owner Identification Card (FOID)revoked. In both cases the ISP has cited "safety of the community". No charges criminal or civil that would legally justify revocation have been leveled against either party.

Everyone I am sure has their opinion about Craig Stebick and Drew Peterson. But the law is the law. I just wish the ISP would follow it. They revoke your FOID card and cite "safety of the public" but yet let “the threat” wander about the public even after they have leveled the accusation in public documents. I guess the ISP believes the FOID card itself is a weapon or the card possesses magical properties that will prevent the "public threat" from harming anyone as long as his/her FOID card is safely in the hand of the ISP.

This policy is actually consistent with the premise of issuing a piece of paper to a victim of domestic violence and telling them this will protect you from the attacker (Since we released him on bail already). No firearm necessary you have are court issued order of protection, use it as a shield it shall protect you.:banghead:
 

Sonora Rebel

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If this tactic isn't intimidation by Sen Kotowski I dunno what is. "reminds me of that line: "Errand boys sent by grocery clerks.." No warrant... get off my property.

Try that in AZ... :cuss:Man... IL is worse than I thought. 'Really IS a socialist... no ... Stalinist state. Y'all need to get these pinko's out of office... or revolt.
 
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