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.
 
 

SOURCE Illinois State Rifle Association