Illinois is at it again!

[Watchdog]

State Rep. Daniel Didech is one of two legislators sponsoring a new bill that will require potential gun owners to reveal their public social media accounts to police before they are given permission to purchase a firearm. Interested forum members may read about this by clicking here. Or here.

I can't find a bill number and/or text for this yet, but I'm going on the assumption that this will apply to all firearms...handguns, rifles, and shotguns.

The Illinois State Rifle Association has already issued statements against the bill. The ACLU has also come out strongly against it, saying there's too much leeway regarding what law enforcement could do with that information.

This comes on the heels of other new Illinois gun laws that went into effect January 1, laws that further restrict the rights of gun owners.

SB 3256, creates a 72-hour waiting period for all firearm purchases. This changes the current state law that invokes a 72-hour waiting period only for handguns.

And HB 2354, addresses the mental well-being of gun owners. It gives police and family members the ability to petition for a restraining order if a person poses a significant danger to themselves or others.

The law also allows police easier access to warrants to search homes and seize weapons if the court has reason to believe the banned person has guns. This law is your basic Red Flag Law or ERPO.

I'm not clear on what the "social media law" would allow. Does it mean social media users would be required to furnish law enforcement with their user names and passwords?

Would gun forums such as this one be considered "social media" in the eyes of the law if someone wanted to really nitpick the definition? Your guess is as good as mine.

So, that seems to be the latest Second Amendment news from the Land of Lincoln.

 

[10ring]

I'm not clear on what the "social media law" would allow. Does it mean social media users would be required to furnish law enforcement with their user names and passwords?

Would gun forums such as this one be considered "social media" in the eyes of the law if someone wanted to really nitpick the definition? Your guess is as good as mine.

I believe any forums would constitute social media under such laws, and it would make no sense to have this requirement unless you were also required to provide them with sufficient information to allow them to look at what you posted. That may or may not include passwords, depending on the nature of the forum.

Merriam-Webster definition of social media: "forms of electronic communication (such as websites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (such as videos)"

Given the intent and goals of such laws, we have to assume that they will be interpreted as broadly and intrusively as possible. By the way, bear in mind there is already software available, although probably not publicly available, that will perform social medial searches by a person's name, DOB, etc. They aren't great right now, but their capabilities are improving.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Any discussion forum is "social media." At their heart, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., are just discussion forums. The comment section of the local newspaper website is social media . . .

 

[g-dad]

The ACLU has also come out strongly against it, saying there's too much leeway regarding what law enforcement could do with that information.

I saw this earlier today and the comment from the ACLU really stuck out. As much as I dislike most of what they do I commend them for appearing to take a stand against this proposed action. I also realize they can change their collective minds.

 

[delcrossv]

Here's a link to the text. As mentioned on another thread, this has serious issues under the 1st, 2nd and 4th Amendments. Committee meeting in 2/13. You don't have to be an illinois resident to file a witness slip .

Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB0888

Electronic witness slips:

House Hearing Details

 

[white cloud]

Social Media

Before I retired, I was a director at a large software company. We were solemnly advised not to put anything in an email that we didn't want to see on a billboard beside the highway. I suspect the same criteria might be needed for gun forum posts real soon. I am considering removing my account from some AR related forums.

As my lovely wife said, George Orwell was only off on his timing.

 

[Walkingwolf]

If it passes how are they going to afford the staff to research social media accounts?

 

[Ozark Marine]

If it passes how are they going to afford the staff to research social media accounts?

There's always money available in IL to restrict law abiding legal citizens from owning guns.

 

[delcrossv]

But wait! There's more!!

A partial list, with links to the bills.

More Anti-Gun Legislation Introduced in Illinois | Davenport Guns

 

[yeti]

State Rep. Daniel Didech has no regard for his subject's civil liberties. Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography
I know he doesn't respect his constituents, but his disregard for the 2A, 1A, & 4A are staggering. His campaign was funded heavily by Mike Madigan, which does not bode well. Heck, even the ACLU was appalled and that takes a lot when connected with any 2A issue!

If you live in IL and in Wheeling, Vernon Hills, Mundelein or Buffalo Grove especially, I'd email and call asap.

 

[GaryS]

Will people in IL be required to provide social media access before being able to vote? How about before being able to write a letter to a politician? How about a background check if someone wants to join a church?

 

[delcrossv]

I think it's a new record. I filed 5 witness slips today.

 

[delcrossv]

Will people in IL be required to provide social media access before being able to vote? ...

It would be advisable not to give Speaker Madigan any ideas. He'd love that one.

 

[hoosierone]

For those unfamiliar with Illinois, for many years the legislature introduces a slew of anti 2A bills, mostly sponsored by Chicago pols.

If you like freedom and low taxes, Illinois is not the place to live. Won't say any more.

 

[Watchdog]

After reading the text of the bill (HB0888), part of it seems a bit vague.

In part, it says "Provides that each applicant for a Firearm Owner's Identification Card shall furnish to the Department of State Police a list of every social media account."

So it says the applicant must provide a list of accounts. It doesn't say a thing about furnishing the user names and/or passwords for those accounts.

So if the account is password protected, how will the Illinois Department of State Police access the account(s)? Shouldn't a warrant be needed? And absent a warrant, if they hack into the account, or get the information from the account's server, wouldn't that constitute an illegal search?

Granted, for Internet forums such as this one, no password or user name is needed to view anything said by anyone, but still...how would law enforcement know who's saying what? If all they have is a list, they wouldn't have a clue who (for instance) Watchdog really is.

What am I missing here?

 

[vytoland]

those that control illinois would do the public a service by.....fixing the pot holes in the streets, eliminating the gangs in chicago, clean up the slums, reduce the social programs, taxes and the government departments and employees and promote educational opportunities

 

[S&WsRsweet]

We have a few folks from the Chicago area that’s moved here to retire .They love it .Come on down ,plenty of jobs ,weather overall is good .We love freedom loving folks y’all fit right in .

 

[stansdds]

We have a few folks from the Chicago area that’s moved here to retire .They love it .Come on down ,plenty of jobs ,weather overall is good .We love freedom loving folks y’all fit right in .

Just don't bring your political thinking with you!

 

[delcrossv]

Just don't bring your political thinking with you!

Well, not everyone in Illinois is a goof.

 

[S&WsRsweet]

delcrossv is right as a matter of fact especialy folks not from the cities are some true outdoors ,hunting,fishing sportsmen and women .They just get outvoted much of the time .These guys run around in cargo shorts in February I must admit they be tough.