More "Jack Booted Thugs" in Illinois
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.
ISRA Press Release:
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.
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.
ISRA Press Release:
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.
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Very disturbing. I'm glad I'm on the short end of my life and
not just starting out. I've got a suspicion that it's going to be
getting a lot worse before it gets any better - if it does![xx(]0 -
Maybe "WE" out of towners should fax Sen. Kotowski.
Like to see that crap tried in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma would run him out on a rail, tarred & feathered.
At least, I would like to think that.0 -
They posted the fax's and none were agressive, they simply asked him to reconsider the vote he was going to cast. Most of the people that send, call or write their legislators are VERY responsible, & respectable when doing so.
PJ0 -
quote:Originally posted by HobbyGuy
the term "Jack Booted Thugs" is inappropriate...
the faxes sent may have been a little more aggressive than your average howdy do, [;)] Speculation of an idle nature, sir.0 -
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Many of the Jews during the Holocaust were WWI vets. Many of them had war trophies. If, instead of turning over their guns when asked to do so by the Nazis, they would have kept at least one then what do you think would have happened during Kristalnacht? Instead of sweeping up the glass, what would have happened if someone did something about it. The JBTs didn't wear masks back then. I'm sure they could be found walking alone in civilian attire late at night in a dark alley.
It could have been very different.0 -
No real surprise here...There is a Full Court press on right now. Chicago TV is beating the drum day and night about the recent violence and the easy access of guns outside of Chicago that are brought in to the City.
Last night they interviewed Jesse J and he said the only way to
stop it was to cut off the flow of guns. No mention of the offenders, just blame the guns. Mayor Daley has been saying the same things.
Typical Democrapic Dogma...0 -
I think the term "Jack Booted Thug" is fully appropriate, especially considering the source. Yes, this is very disturbing. Consider the combination of the VT tragedy and the idea that anyone declared "mentally ill" will lose there Second Amendment rights.
Here we have a State Senator reporting to the State Police the names of anyone that opposes him as a threatening mentally ill person.
This shows the potential for abuse when personal medical records are openly disclosed and anyone can attempt to have someone else declared mentally ill.
AND LIBERALS SAID THE PATRIOT ACT WAS BAD!!!0 -
quote:
Originally posted by HobbyGuy
the term "Jack Booted Thugs" is inappropriate...
How about "Storm Trooper"0 -
District Legislative Office
1100 West Northwest Highway
Suite 114
Phone: 847-797-1192
Fax: 847- 797-1195
Email: Dan@SenatorKotowski.com
Springfield Office
M108 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: 217-782-3875
Fax: 217-782-2115
Email: Natalia Solomon, Legislative Aide
Copyright c 2007 All Rights Reserved. Senator Dan Kotowski 1100 W. Northwes0 -
i would have ordered them off my property. somethings got to give. 0 -
Investigating what crime?
How about "inquisitor"0 -
Senator Kotowski is a victim of violence by someone with a firearm. Some prefer to call him a gun violence victim. From his actions since then, I wonder about his own mental condition. It looks as though he suffers from a mental illness from a traumatic experience. 0 -
I am not anti police, I do have a problem with citizens being harased for legaly voicing their opinion. That is a violation of their first ammendment rights, and before you try to justify that, think real hard about the ramifications of incremental rights erosion.
"I am the central scrutinizer it is my job to enforce all of the laws that haven't been made yet"0 -
No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
-Mark Twain0 -
Edited by - HobbyGuy on 06/19/2007 11:44:35 AM
That will teach me to reply to a taunt without a qoute!
quote:
I am not anti police, I do have a problem with citizens being harased for legaly voicing their opinion. That is a violation of their first ammendment rights, and before you try to justify that, think real hard about the ramifications of incremental rights erosion.0 -
Gun Ban Zealot Fails to Answer Questions About Illinois Made Rifles
Last Update: 9:56 PM ET Mar 29, 2007
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., March 29, 2007 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- During a hastily called news conference Wednesday morning, former gun ban lobbyist, now State Senator, Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) incorrectly portrayed an Illinois- manufactured ArmaLite AR-50, a bolt-action .50 caliber rifle. This embarrassing display by the anti-gun zealot was an attempt to sway opinion within the State House to pass SB-1471, a .50 caliber gun ban.
As Kotowski incorrectly described the use of the .50 caliber rifle, he stated that this rifle was designed and manufactured for law enforcement and military applications. In contrast, Mark Westrom, President of ArmaLite, an 85 employee Geneseo, Illinois based company, stated correctly that the AR-50 displayed was, in fact, a target rifle used by legitimate, law-abiding citizens for hunting, target shooting, and collecting -- not by law- enforcement or military. In fact, ArmaLite has never sold an AR-50 to any military or law enforcement organization.
"Senator Kotowski was here today to simply portray our rifle as a weapon of choice for terrorists and easily obtained by anyone. I debunked one of his many mistruths by explaining that this rifle is a target shooting model, and has no military specifications," said Westrom.
Westrom continued, "Our manufacturing and distribution is closely monitored by the Federal Government, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives enforcing compliance with stringent laws and regulations that control manufacturing, distribution and sales to ensure that only law-abiding citizens acquire these firearms through legal channels."
Also during the press conference, Kotowski expressed little concern for the economic and social impact that SB-1471 would have on hard working Illinois citizens. If SB-1471 became law, 185 jobs in the Quad Cities area would be moved out of state so that ArmaLite and its suppliers could adhere to the gun manufacturing ban provided for in the law.
As a former lobbyist for an Illinois based gun-ban organization, Senator Kotowski should know that one's word is their credibility. It is obvious to all who were in attendance that Senator Kotowski conveniently avoided the facts while employing one mistruth after another to promote his anti-gun crusade.
"If he's willing to be this dishonest and misrepresent our rifle, I wonder what other facts he is omitting or not telling his colleagues," added Mark Westrom.
ArmaLite, a privately-held 85 employee firearm manufacturing company based in Geneseo, Illinois that combined with their supplier companies (who employ 100 jobs) supplying parts to ArmaLite would be forced to move out-of-state. This move would place their 185 employee's with tough choices to leave their homes to continuing working for these companies who except for the .50 caliber AR-50 supply many of the firearms our Armed Forces and Law Enforcement (Illinois State Police and US State Department for example) use to defend our country and communities on a daily basis.
http://www.markeWar on Terrorch.com/news/story/gun-ban-zealot-fails-answer/story.aspx?guid=%7B336EE477-A1F6-4FCC-B52A-53CDDA7ACF95%7D0 -
Sounds like a good news tip for Bill O'Reilly. 0 -
Fair enough. 0 -
E-mail sent to this despicable worm.[}:)][}:)][}:)] 0 -
The USA is the best country on earth,but it wont last much longer.The next big fight is going to be on our home land, and there wont be much left to brag about when its over.
Greed is what it is all about,three cars in the driveway,boats,recreational vehicles, moe money, moe money, we must have the best of everything and two of them to boot.That was all right for the last couple of decades, but now it is the rich and the poor, and not much hope for the poor.
When they come to take our guns, and they will,I will be making all sorts of weapons, traps,and anything I can do to make the transition as hard as it can be.
Call me crazy, but for one,"IVE HAD ENOUGH" I,fear the party is over.
LOVE THIS COUNTRY AND THE ARMED FORCES THAT KEEP US SAFE may God bless each and everyone of you.
SB0 -
More joy in living in the land of daley man I hate this state. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Gotteskrieger
i would have ordered them off my property. somethings got to give.
+1
If this artical is real, that is seriously wrong. Someone should have their ass handed to them for that. Complete intimidation tactic in my opinion. Hope that Senator gets his butt kicked out of office ASAP.0 -
Chicago policeman " I was just following orders ".
" Very disturbing. I'm glad I'm on the short end of my life and
not just starting out. I've got a suspicion that it's going to be
getting a lot worse before it gets any better - if it does!"
- zip
Me, too.
Doug0 -
wow thats funny, i live in the state of chicago and have heard nothing of this on any of the local news channels....[V].....hmmmm.i just wish chicago would just finally say they are another state and just leave the rest of us downstate alone.EVERYONE would be much happier...well at least i know several of us would anyways..[:D] 0 -
i think "jack booted thugs" was a pretty accurate description 0 -
Illinois Nazis. I hate Illinois Nazis.
Jake Blues said it well.0 -
"Jackbooted thugs" is not the proper terminology. Hitler's storm troopers wore the jack boots as they stomped through the streets.
This is more like the work of the Gestapo. They wore business suits, and dress shoes. In appearance, the Gestapo were much more subtle than the storm troopers.0 -
I've been thinking about this and can't seem how in anyones world this is acceptable. What can be done about this? Is this acceptable for them to act in this way by law?
No matter how or which angle I think of this it seems like intimidation.0 -
I used the term JBT's because it does fit, try sending a message to Daley and you'll probably never be heard from again.[:0] 0
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