Trot out the clowns, they’re already here

Thomas Barton, Political Commentator

ABC 7 News dissed distinguished Illinois State Senator Donne Trotter by announcing his arrest at O’Hare Airport for having tried to take an “unloaded .25-caliber pistol and an ammunition clip containing five bullets in a carry-on bag onto an airplane”.

What’s the big deal?

Chicagoans all know, or should, that Trotter is “anti-gun”.  For example,

“In 1995, Trotter voted ‘no’ on narrowly-defeated legislation to allow Illinois residents to carry concealed firearms. Illinois is the only state in the nation where citizens have no concealed carry rights. Two years later, he voted ‘present’ on a measure that ultimately passed both the Senate and the House that would have reduced the penalty for getting caught with a concealed firearm. That bill died through amendatory veto by then Gov. Jim Edgar.

There’s more. While police sources said that Trotter did have a valid firearms owner’s identification card, (FOID), it listed his Springfield office as his address, in apparent violation of state law requiring the card carrier’s residence be provided. It will be interesting to see if that pistol was registered in Chicago, as required by city ordinance.”

Picky, picky, picky.

According to ABC 7 News, “The senator has a FOID card and was licensed to carry the weapon on his job. However, [Asst. State’s Attorney] Scaduto told the court the gun was not registered in the City of Chicago. “ So? What’s the problem? Register it now.

Look, all we need is a standard retroactive administrative adjustment (SRAA) to square-up Donne with the law.  How hard can that be in the Chicago judicial system?  What - two phone calls hard?

He needs to “carry the weapon on his job” down in Springfield, we’re told.  Of course he does. It’s a lawless place down there.  Shootouts regularly break out in the Capital Building on the floor of the Senate. Gang bangers abound.

So what if Donne wants his piece on an airplane? He’s not a terrorist – except maybe when it comes to Illinois finances. We won’t talk about that, though. Sorry I mentioned it.

Recall that, once-upon-a-time, Chicago’s early and leading advocate of a strict ban on handguns was none other than First Ward Alderman Fred Roti, who, thanks to the testimony of former mob lawyer turned informant Robert “Bob” Cooley, was revealed to be a member of the Chicago mob. The Outfit doesn’t want average citizens packing either - just its wise guys.  

But nobody is accusing Donne of being mobbed-up just because he’s against citizens carrying a weapon, although he does.  He’s special. He’s an important Illinois State Senator, for heaven sakes.  Come on - he needs self-protection.

Donne wants Jesse Jackson Junior’s old congressional job.  Don’t forget, J. J. Jr. is a self-described martial arts expert, making his hands lethal weapons. They let him fly without handcuffing him.

(Although they might have flown him in handcuffs had he not resigned, but that’s another story – only lightly covered by the Chicago media, by the way.)

So let’s give Donne a break.  Stop dissing him!

Haven’t we all had occasion to recall, at the last minute, that we’re packing a piece as we’re about to climb aboard?