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.

 

[elpac3]

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 . . .

Given the inflammatory wording now so common in many "news papers" and "news articles" I would dare to suggest these have now migrated into the realm of social media

 

[500SNW]

This seems like they are copying a recently proposed AND ADOPTED bill in New York. I didn't think this crazy idea would spread, but I can now see certain other states following suit.

https://legislation.nysenate.gov/pdf/bills/2017/S9191

Page 3 lines 7 thru 10 are especially disturbing. What does that have to do with guns?

 

[HeyJoe]

This seems like they are copying a recently proposed AND ADOPTED bill in New York. I didn't think this crazy idea would spread, but I can now see certain other states following suit.

https://legislation.nysenate.gov/pdf/bills/2017/S9191

Page 3 lines 7 thru 10 are especially disturbing. What does that have to do with guns?

this bill hasnt been passed in New York

 

[delcrossv]

ISRA Thursday Bulletin for 2/14/19 Happy St. Valentine's Day (NOT)

"Another Illinois gun company has bitten the dust, at least in Illinois. Lewis Machine and Tool (LMT) is the brainchild of Karl Lewis and was located in Milan, Illinois since 1980. LMT produces firearms for 45 countries around the world, specializing in high quality firearms for elite units like the British Special Air Services to their latest contract with the Estonian Defense Forces. Those two contracts alone brought $55,000,000 into Illinois. Remember they deal with 43 other countries. I don't know the value of those contracts but it could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars and beyond. Also remember that most of this money comes from oversees into Illinois - or did. No more. The need for expanded facilities and the relentless bombardment of anti-gun initiatives by the Illinois General Assembly, including burdensome taxes and threats from assorted Illinois Governors, forced LMT to move to the welcoming arms of Eldridge, Iowa. The Illinois General Assembly should get the Economic Development Awards from Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri.

HB 2331 - Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan) has proposed a new sales tax of 3.75% percent on firearms and firearm components. The money is supposed to be used for youth programs. The programs are not specified but my guess is the monies would be shoveled into anti-gun programs.

State Representative Brad Holbrook (R-Shelbyville) filed HR0101 which calls for a study to possibly make Chicago the 51st state. You will find HR0101 on the Bills and Resolutions page on the ilga.gov website. I am hearing HR0101 is gaining traction outside of Chicago.

At this writing there are 64 gun bills the ISRA is tracking with as many as 150 to 200 more expected to come. I know many of you are waiting to file witness slips. The ISRA will not call for witness slips unless we know a bill is going to be heard in Committee. Yesterday, Wednesday, was a good example. In the House Judiciary Committee, 68 bills were posted for hearings and of those, 17 were gun bills. We were told that none would be heard and none were heard.

The State of Illinois uses electronic witness slips. A witness slip that is filed on a bill that is not heard will vanish after the hearing. So, if anyone filed a witness slip on one of the bills posted for Wednesday's hearing, those are now gone and a new witness slip will have to be filed next time. When the ISRA calls for witness slips, we really need them. We will try to be as accurate as possible."

 

[white cloud]

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

If one has access to Facebook or whatever (I will be the government can get access), it only takes a moderately talented software developer to come with an automated search. This is most assuredly not a manpower problem.

 

[delcrossv]

Special alerts from the ISRA

There's two meetings with legislators scheduled. One for this Thursday, 2/21 and one for 2/25. If you can attend either please consider doing so:

WHAT: Public Meeting on "gun control" and "gun violence."

WHO:
1. Congressman Brad Schneider
2. Mayor Harriet Rosenthal, Village of Deerfield
3. Illinois State Senator Julie Morrison
4. A pair of "moms" from Mike Bloomberg's groups

WHEN: Thursday, February 21, 2019, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

WHERE: Patty Turner Center, 375 Elm Street, Deerfield, IL 60015

YOUR ACTION: Some of the biggest threats to your gun rights, your freedom,and the safety of your family will be gathered together in one room on the evening of Thursday, February 21st. Plan on attending.




WHAT: Meetings with voters.

WHO: State Representative Kathleen Willis

WHEN: Monday, February 25, 2019, 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM

WHERE: Addison Public Library, 4 Friendship Plaza, Addison

YOUR ACTION: Plan on attending to speak to Rep. Willis who is the sponsor of many of the anti-2A bills in the Illinois House.

 

[dmn57]

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

So sad, but so true. One would think a better use of time and effort would be to enforce current laws designed to prevent convicted felons from purchasing firearms, as was done by the Aurora shooter.

 

[Racer X]

So sad, but so true. One would think a better use of time and effort would be to enforce current laws designed to prevent convicted felons from purchasing firearms, as was done by the Aurora shooter.

And if someone is convicted and the sentencing is say 2-10 years, but out in 20 months with good behavior is a joke.

Whatever happened to 3 strikes?

The scared bleeding hearts want even more laws, but they neuter the sentencing so its just sad.

There was a case about 15-20 years ago where a convicted felon transported 5 stolen handguns across state lines and sold them. I think when he was caught, the total max sentence was 412 years. He was out in less than 10. So, several dozen more felonies, and STILL not locked up for good? Felon in possession of firearms, transporting stolen goods across state lines x5, selling stolen goods x5, selling firearms to felons x5, and committing all these felonies while in possession of a firearm/s adds even more felonies. Oh, filing off the serial numbers x5.

 

[deno56]

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

They will add a tax to the purchasing a gun, like they did on ammo in cook county to offset the cost of shooting victims that have no insurance.

 

[Racer X]

They will add a tax to the purchasing a gun, like they did on ammo in cook county to offset the cost of shooting victims that have no insurance.

Seattle added an ammo and firearms sales tax. The shops just moved outside Seattle City limits. The one I frequented expanded at their new location and is doing GREAT!

The city realizes the tax did NO good, and they lost out on the @600k in taxes they were getting. Idiots.