All he wanted was to talk to his representative about a political issue — something supposedly guaranteed by the First Amendment’s right to petition clause."Use the First, Lose the Second," my Rights Watch column for the December 2008 issue of GUNS Magazine, is now online.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Use the First, Lose the Second
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7 comments:
That is absolutely disgusting. I hope he can get his representative, the interfering staffer and the police that all acted in collusion to deprive this man of his constitutional rights under color of law brought up on criminal charges. He should get his guns back along a cash settlement and they should do some time in jail so that they others inspired by their example to trample upon the people will be warned.
Strong hand tactics are around. Here's an example I saved from Illinois.
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
I guess it is time to stop "playing by the rules" when the rules are only used against you. Unintended consequences can hurt.
I enjoy your column in GUNS and thought it was very important and well written.
Thank you. My editor told me "This one hit a nerve. Lotta folks want copies."
The arrogance and injustice of it all just reeks, and some people are getting sick of it.
The arrogance and injustice is gonna be even worse under an Obama Administration that believes in its own kool-aid.
Excellent article David.
Very hard hitting.
The moral from the folly of "Legally Registered Firearms" was especially well taken....
III
1894C
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