We’ve seen one Illinois lawmaker on the verge of being busted by law enforcement seek treatment for rumored depression from coming to terms with the consequences of his actions. Will we see another follow in this new tradition?
An Illinois State Senator running to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress was arrested Wednesday morning after he allegedly tried to bring a gun onto a plane at O’Hare International Airport.
Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) was charged with a felony count of attempting to board an aircraft with a weapon, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. The charge carries a penalty of 1 to 3 years in jail.
The article notes that he just announced his campaign for the seat of Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. last week. I’m rather shocked that a sitting State Senator is being held in jail, and that he’s actually being charged.
Interestingly, the guy has a C- from NRA from the last election. That’s hardly pro-gun, but then again, he represents Chicago. I don’t know if that makes him not a complete foe of the Second Amendment or just not a complete foe by the already terrible Chicago standard of recognizing the rights of citizens. (h/t @GunFreeZone)
According to a local paper/web site the reason he had the gun on him was that he “forgot”in was in the bag after working “security”last night.
Might sound believable except that the gun was reported to be a 25 calibre semi auto.
NukemJim
Yeah, it was securing *his* car, *his* home, *his* family…
Gotta wonder why a state senator needs to moonlight as a security guard.
Or is it a little quid pro quo?
He gets $67,800 a year in salary. Not exactly a king’s ransom in Chicago. I understand the extra work, but a security seems strange. (actually, it kind of makes me like him).
Why would a security guard in Illinois need a carry permit? No one else in the state can carry. Security guard should be the easiest job in the state. /sarc
There is a provision for both uniformed and plainclothes security to carry in Illinois along with certain elected politicians and over 100 different state departments. I’ve met an “officer” of one of these firms who is on duty 24/7 in case of emergency so can carry 24/7.
There are no carry permits in the state. One way around this is to be a licensed security guard. One would need not only a PERC card but also a tan card to carry concealed.
Wow, a felony? Really? I would have thought that would just be a misdemeanor. This happens a lot at the airport where I work.
Yeah, I am of two minds here. If they determine he was not a threat, then drop the felony charge, slap him on the wrist and let him go. However, if he is a Chicago resident and did not jump through all the silly loops to get the gun registered, then throw the book at him. Enough of the double-standard for pols.
He’s a Chicago politician; he’s guilty of something.
I think it’s because of the C- NRA rating. Being that he is a chicago politician that C- on a curve makes him just right of Charlton Heston.
If he was your average hypocrite Feinstein like anti gun yet has a gun for themselves politician it probably would have just been a slap on the wrist, if he was arrested at all.