Holy Moses Batman! Police used to intimidate.

[aileron]

I have heard not too many good things about PNR news wire... but if this is true... holy smokes. That conduct is unacceptable if we are to be a free country.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-18-2007/0004610614&EDATE=

ISRA Asks Senator Kotowski to Explain State Police Infringements on First Amendment Rights of Illinois Gun Owners

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.

 

[Admin]

WOW!!!!!!

 

[pdm]

Is Park Ridge in Cook County? That's the epicenter of anti-RKBA sentiment in IL, from what I've heard.

 

[KMaurer]

Yeah, Park Ridge is northeast of O'Hare Airport, just across the expressways.

Ken

 

[dreppucci007]

Whoa

 

[pdm]

Yeah, Park Ridge is northeast of O'Hare Airport, just across the expressways.

Ken

Then unfortunately, it doesn't really surprise me. Disappointing nonetheless.

 

[Major Blood]

Wow...Peace Officers actually mis-using authority and overstepping their bounds? Govt. sanctioned violations of a citizen's civil and constitutional rights? Man, now that my eyes have been opened to an injustice against someone that shares a position and outlook similar to my own, I wonder if anyone else has ever felt these kind of strong-arm tactics from the police?

...is this supposed to be "breaking news" or something?

Tsk tsk...you are all to report to Mr. Blood's office with your late passes...

 

[drgrant]

This doesn't surprise me at all. IL has been a fully enabled communist state
for awhile. The downstaters have been able to hide out a bit from the
rest, but not without suffering the abuses created by the "ruling class" in and
around shitcago and crook county. [sad2]


-Mike

 

[Scrivener]

Just to put this in perspective, we don't know the nature of the calls to Kotowski. If they were of the "This legislation is misguided, fails to address the problem it is ostensibly intended to, while further eroding the rights of gun owners," then there is indeed intimidation here.

On the other hand, if the calls were from ignorant mouth-breathers calling Kotowski "a f***ing Commie p***y" and stating they'll turn in their guns "one bullet at a time," police involvement would be warranted.

 

[Admin]

On the other hand, if the calls were from ignorant mouth-breathers calling Kotowski "a f***ing Commie p***y" and stating they'll turn in their guns "one bullet at a time," police involvement would be warranted.

Funny but true.

 

[matt1956]

Just to put this in perspective, we don't know the nature of the calls to Kotowski. If they were of the "This legislation is misguided, fails to address the problem it is ostensibly intended to, while further eroding the rights of gun owners," then there is indeed intimidation here.

On the other hand, if the calls were from ignorant mouth-breathers calling Kotowski "a f***ing Commie p***y" and stating they'll turn in their guns "one bullet at a time," police involvement would be warranted.

Correct, however...

"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."

Now, that is this particular incident... I am sure that they do get the "I'll show you where to stick you gun laws and even help you shove them in" comments (not that those are not warrented, but still not appropriate)

 

[dwarven1]

"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."

Doesn't sound like it, Scriv.

 

[Twigg]

,,,and some folks think we have it bad here.

This is what things could be like if Devil Patrick gets his way.