Sangamon County Rifle Association
Right Reason on Second Amendment Rights
Springfield, Illinois
SC



Guns Save Life

"STOP THIEF"
Countering Illinois State Police Gun Show Stings

April 2006 GunNews




Back through the years
From the April 2001 issue of GunNews Magazine.
Editor's note:  The information contained is just as applicable today as the Illinois State Police continue to attempt to entrap gun owners in technical violations of gun laws at gun shows today!  

A CCRA Member brought information to the March 2001 Meeting about the Illinois State Police's new gun show sting operations.

Apparently Governor Ryan has ordered the ISP to go to these gun shows, make arrests of both dealers and private citizens.  From information our sources have gathered, it seems the ISP is using improper methods in making some arrests.  To make matters worse, they then seize thousands of dollars from the dealers.  In this issue of GunNews, we'll show you the State Police's tricks and tactics so you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of a sting gone bad.

Gun show promoters, the dealers and attendees need to work together to watch for and report individuals acting suspiciously or those attempting to make transactions without obeying Illinois laws.  

As a vendor or attendee

You should always carry your Firearms Owners ID (FOID) card on your person, just like your driver's license.  Be sure your FOID card is signed along the right side on the front.  Your card is NOT Valid unless it is signed.

To be on the safe side, inspect the FOID card of any Illinois resident who wants to touch or purchase any firearm or ammunition belonging to you.  This applies to the dealers at the shows as well  If someone wants to buy your firearm privately, make sure you not only get their FOID information, but also be sure to obey all waiting periods as they apply in Illinois.  Read the backside of your FOID card and follow those requirements rigidly.

If you are detained by the State Police at any gun show, remember it is your right to say nothing prior to speaking to an attorney.  Exercise that right.

Tactics used by the State Police

One common tactic of the undercover police officers is the "pay, grab and run."  The UC cop will walk up to a table, toss money on the table and take a box of ammunition then hurry away, sometimes saying "here's the money - I'm in a rush" as they leave.  Often the vendor will be busy writing up a form 4473 on a sale or transacting a sale with another customer.  The "buyer" in these cases ignores the dealer's verbal request for a FOID card as the UC walks away.  A few hours later -- often at the end of the show -- the State Police come back and arrest the vendor and seize their money from the show.  They say the bill was marked despite not providing proof or making the arrest promptly so the "marked bill" is not given out as change on a later transaction.  In some cases, the vendors have been asked to sign an admission of guilt on the spot. To add insult to injury, their money -- usually totaling several thousand dollars -- is not returned. In effect, the money becomes a de facto "fine."

This scenario has happened to more than one vendor in recent weeks.  In at least one incident, a middle-aged redheaded woman was the UC taking the ammunition from the table before the transaction could be properly completed.

Another tactic is for the UC's to try to complete a private transfer of a firearm between two private individuals.  The UC cops may not ask to see FOID cards before buying or selling a gun, making an arrest of the individual for failing to exchange the proper information (see the back of your FOID card).  They may not wait the appropriate waiting period and then make an arrest for that.

Know and Follow Illinois Law

Illinois' waiting periods -- 24 hours for long guns and 72 hours for sidearms - must be obeyed even on private transfers.

All Illinois laws apply to police officers -- waiting periods, FOID requirements for ammo and firearms purchases, etc.

Promptly report anyone acting suspiciously to gun show security or to show promoters for investigation.

We urge our members to obey all applicable Illinois laws and to tell fellow friends and gun owners what correct Illinois law is if they are not complying with the requirements.

Also, we are asking for any additional information on any future ISP stings that may occur at coming gun shows.  The tactics, particularly of tossing money and absconding with ammunition before completing the transaction are completely inappropriate and they must cease.  Contact anyone on the Steering Committee or email us at webmaster@gunssavelife.com if you have information.

Thanks in particular to CCRA members (you know who you are) for providing this information to us.

PROTECT YOURSELF
from ISP stings gone bad
By Paul Vallandigham
Attorney-at-Law, Urbana
First and obviously, as a dealer, you have to know and understand complex laws that govern dealers (FFLs), from both the state and federal levels.  Then obey them.  Don't cut corners. If you don't understand something, ask a LAWYER!  If you are not a dealer, know what the law requires of you.  Follow those requirements rigidly.

Secondly, if renting a table at a gun show, discuss the matter of "stings" with the show's promoters and work with them.  After all, most of the stings are intended to allow the local politicians to shut down the shows altogether, so the promoters have a very big interest in seeing this kind of activity stopped.

When someone absconds with a box of ammo and won't show their FOID card, shout "STOP THIEF!"

Dealers, gun show security, promoters and local police must all understand and work together to see that anyone fleeing a table before transactions are properly completed be treated as a shoplifter.

Third:  Ideally the show's promoters will also have an understanding with the local police that they will arrest the offender, even if he subsequently produces credentials showing he is a police officer conducting an attempted sting.  He can tell it to a judge, but this illegal behavior should not be allowed to go on in a gun show.

Fourth, in some shows, it may be possible for the promoter to check each person's FOID card, or verify non-residence at the door, and stamp hands appropriately.  This does not relieve the dealer of the responsibility to check the FOID card, but it will give an added layer of security. Most shows have someone checking firearms at the door to make sure they are unloaded, so checking for FOID cards should not be too much of an added burden.

Lastly ideally, you would like the support of the local police to keep these "grab and run" undercover police officers out.  If the local police let it be known that anyone not following the law's requirements will be arrested, I suspect that the ISP will avoid that jurisdiction.  Frankly, in most smaller communities, the police and prosecutors know all the FFL's and are grateful to have them in the community.  They do not want them harassed, or set up by undercover ISP anti-gun agents working to make some political hay for the Governor.
  



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Sangamon County Rifle Association
Springfield, Illinois
 Jim Butler, President
scra@insightbb.com
217/528-0963