A couple of days ago, I emailed the Illinois State Police a media query about an incident that occurred this past Sunday on I-55. A young woman with a CCW license was stopped between Bloomington and Chicago for a traffic infraction. Before the stop concluded, the Trooper asked to see the woman’s carry gun to do a “compliance check” to ensure she didn’t have a magazine over 15 rounds.
The officer had no probable cause or reasonable articulable suspicion that she was in violation of the law which had been struck down as unconstitutional the preceding Friday afternoon.
Here is the reply they sent towards the end of the day yesterday. I received it as I was en route to the Charleston GSL meeting or I would have posted it yesterday.
Here it is, exactly as received.
ISP has not given or planned to give direction to ISP officers to check for compliance with the Protect Illinois Communities Act during traffic stops. ISP is not taking any actions inconsistent with the various court orders and cases. ISP will continue to follow guidance from the Attorney General’s office. It is not a standard practice to request to see the firearm of someone with a Concealed Carry License without probable cause, reasonable suspicion, or by way of consent.
ON BACKGROUND:
Without knowing the totality of the circumstances of this alleged incident, we cannot asses to any degree of certainty the roadside decision making of an officer. Changing, adding, or the absence of a single fact can be significant to the analysis. Can you please provide us with additional details – the date, time, and location of the incident, and especially the Trooper’s name? Having that information will allow us to look into this, correct any potentially poor decision making, and provide clearer guidance to officers in the field if needed. ISP takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and investigates any complaints forwarded to us – File a Complaint
This would suggest maybe the ISP has a rogue officer.
Or perhaps that this college coed is an attractive female had something to do with it.
We don’t know.
But ISP claims it has not given any directives to conduct “compliance checks” of motorists with carry licenses nor do they plan to issue any said directives in the future. Time will tell.
Either way, stay safe out there. If you are subject to an ISP traffic stop or other non-consensual contact, let us know if you get the “magazine compliance check” routine in comments.
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