My name is Shaun Kranish. I'm a twenty-year-old college student attending Rock Valley College, in Rockford, Illinois, a civil rights activist, and founder of I CARRY, an organization and community of members who meet at
http://www.ICarry.org. Our organization is dedicated to the restoration of rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution in Illinois. We believe that countless laws and restrictions are in place that not only infringe the right to keep and bear arms, but also present serious public safety risks across the state. We maintain that countless lives are jeopardized, damaged and destroyed because of unconstitutional laws restricting gun ownership, self-defense and possession in this state by law-abiding citizens.
I am a law-abiding citizen that, until Tuesday, October 11th, 2005, had never been arrested for anything. I attend morning, afternoon, and evening classes at RVC, and am an ordinary student who has always endeavored to follow every rule and regulation of my college. My most serious infraction was, on occasion, being a little late to class. On October 11th, everything changed dramatically.
As a civil rights activist, I cherish my right to freedom of speech. I have been exercising this right on campus in order to raise awareness of the horrible situation in our state. I have never worn anything offensive or alarming. For approximately two weeks prior to my arrest, I had been wearing a small, empty, nylon pouch on the side of my leg. This enclosed pouch could be called a holster, a carry-case, or a fanny-pack, as we refer to them in the pro-self-defense community, as a symbolic expression of the fact that I and others are being wrongfully deprived our Second Amendment rights in Illinois.
I want to stress that in the two weeks I wore my small, empty pouch as a statement to my beliefs, I received no complaints from anyone, alarmed no one, was never approached by campus security, police, or any faculty members about it. I not once was asked what it was or why I had it, nor was I ever asked to take it off. On the contrary, this small accessory to my clothing caused a number of fellow students to approach me and begin friendly conversations about the Second Amendment, gun-rights, and the ongoing suppressive situation in our state and country. Once again, no one was ever alarmed, no one ever reported what I was wearing, and furthermore, no one ever expressed a bit of concern. This small, empty, harmless nylon pouch was a part of my everyday life, and allowed me to express my views in an effective and noticeable way, much as a black armband would express loss. It was never intended to frighten or intimidate any person, and it never did.
Another addition to my attire was a custom-made windbreaker or jacket. The type of jacket is commonly referred to as a “coaches jacket” that often carries a team name or logo. Mine was navy blue, and had “I CARRY.ORG” in printed yellow on two equal-sized lines on the back. I wore this to communicate the existence of my organization and to provide a silent means to let others know how they might communicate with me about it. The front bore a small “I CARRY” on the top right at chest level. I wore this jacket every time I was on campus with no prior problem. The same can be said of the jacket as the pouch. Not even one of my fellow students, teachers, or active-duty police officers questioned either item until I encountered Chief Drought and Officer Crumb.
On Tuesday, the day of my arrest, after my morning class I decided to speak with school officials, particularly the College's President, about the school’s policy against self-defense. I hold a strong belief based on statistics, human right, the beliefs of the founding fathers of this country, the Second Amendment to the Constitution, and logic, that policies against self-defense are immoral and quite possibly the gravest threat to public safety. I wanted to share as many facts as possible, information on my organization, the Second Amendment, and the right to self-defense with someone who could really take it into consideration.
So, with honest intention, I walked into the school’s Administrative building, a small historical farmhouse converted into offices. I politely inquired about the possibility of setting up a meeting with the President and how one would go about it. I was asked what it was in regards to and informed the secretary that it was about school policy. She had asked if I had spoken to anyone else about the issue, and I said I had not. She said it would be best if I did that first before approaching the President, as he would most likely ask me to do the same if I were to speak with him. She suggested I seek whichever department the policy pertained to, and I replied that would most likely be the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
I thanked her for her help, and also asked for a business card in case I needed to get back in touch with the administrative office. She gave me one, and I thanked her again and told her I would be going to speak with someone at the DPS. I left the administrative building and drove straight there. The DPS is also the campus police department that houses deputized police officers who possess the same authority to enforce local and state laws as do ordinary city police. I walked into the small lobby or waiting room and asked the dispatch woman behind the glass-protected counter if I could perhaps speak to someone concerning school policies. She said yes I could, called one of the officers on dispatch, and then asked me to take a seat in the waiting area.
A few minutes later a man by the name of Chief Joe Drought came through the door that leads to the police offices. I stood up and introduced myself. I told him my reason for coming – I wanted to speak with someone regarding school policy. Another officer came in the standard entrance to the lobby, the one I had used when I entered. We spoke for a few minutes, and at some point the smug officer to my right, Edward Crumb, asked me to put my hands up. I complied of course, and he began fumbling with my empty carry pouch.
When asked if I had any weapons, I informed him that I did not, as he could plainly see. After Chief Drought frisked me to verify that was the case, i.e., that I was unarmed and defenseless, as school policy stipulates, we were able to continue our conversation. I began expressing my concern about the policy and explained how it puts the students at serious risk. We spoke about the Constitution and the right to keep and bear arms. I informed them of the organization I started, and we talked a bit about the laws in Illinois. Both officers claimed many times to agree with my views and claimed to share my beliefs. At one point in the waiting room, I was about to quote Thomas Jefferson, when Chief Drought said I didn’t need to, as he knew all of the quotes as well. This seemed encouraging to me – a knowledgeable and informed law enforcement officer that believes in freedom.
The Chief then asked me to come in the back, so we wouldn’t have to speak in the waiting room. He led me into a room, shut the door, and we sat down and talked some more. I don’t remember the specifics of our conversation, but I think it was still centered around what I thought were the beliefs we shared. At some point, he told me he had some other things to do and that Officer Crumb would be taking over. Officer Crumb came in the room, and we talked some more. I could tell he was a very haughty man by his attitude and demeanor. He would constantly patronize me with agreeing confirmations and quirky smiles, but this didn’t bother me. To each his own – I was perfectly satisfied in discussing my beliefs.
Officer Crumb was more interested in my actions that day, and he repeatedly tried to get me to fill out and sign a statement. I didn’t see the need for this, as I had done nothing wrong. I also didn’t know the legal implications involved in the document, so I respectfully declined. However, I cooperated by answering his questions, and we went through the entire story a number of times. I didn’t feel the need to stay silent, as I was confident I did absolutely nothing wrong. Furthermore, I never expected in the slightest that I would and most importantly COULD be arrested for doing nothing except conducting myself in a perfectly peaceful and lawful manner. So, though not free to leave, I answered his questions, all of them, and truthfully.
I was confined to the room for about an hour and a half to two hours. I grew very tired of going over the story, and even more tired of waiting countless times as he stepped out of the room and made phone calls and did whatever. I naturally like to cooperate with others, make friends, and develop good relationships. Even though it was now about noon, and I hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch, I still cooperated. At about this time, I realized my next class was soon approaching. I had a class at 12:20 p.m. that day, and it was about noon or a little after. I informed Officer Crumb that I would need to be going soon in order to make it to my next class. He informed me, with a phony smile, that I wouldn’t be going anywhere. I asked why, and he said something like “we might be putting you under arrest.” I was now very concerned, as this would affect the exam I was to take in my upcoming class.
I pleaded with Officer Crumb to allow me to be at that class on time as I had expected, but he said that was "impossible." He went out and in some more, and I contacted my parents and my lawyer about what was happening. Officer Crumb told me I would most likely be placed under arrest, and that my car would be seized. He had asked about my vehicle, and I verified which one it was. He asked if I would agree to allow them to search the vehicle. I thought about this for a moment, and since it was about 5 minutes before my class, I said they could search my vehicle as long as they allow me to make it to my class on time. He said that wouldn’t be possible.
Officer Crumb went out and back in again, and this time brought in a document detailing my rights and requiring my initials and signature. The whole while he maintained his inauthentic smile and informed me that I would be placed under arrest. After a while, he informed me that, indeed, I WAS under arrest, and when I asked what the charges were, I was told “DISORDERLY CONDUCT”. The “justification” they said they had for this was that I “alarmed” the woman in the administrative office. She had apparently reported my visit.
I was absolutely appalled that they would or could arrest me. I was asked for my jacket and my holster, and told they were being taken as evidence. I had to sign a receipt for them. I was then taken into a holding room with a height-chart on the wall. Officer Crumb took my picture and then readied paperwork in order to book me. I was given a receipt for my belongings, a form with the criminal charges, and an Illinois citation and complaint. I now have a notice to appear in court at 9:00 AM on October 26th, 2005 at the Winnebago County Courthouse – 400 West State Street, Rockford, Illinois, Room 214 or 236. Officer Crumb also told me that I was not allowed back on campus and warned me that if I were caught I would be arrested for trespassing and sent to county jail.
In order to be allowed back on campus and attend my classes, I had to get in contact with school officials and arrange a meeting. I spent the remainder of the day doing this. After calling many times and leaving a message with a secretary and a voicemail, I was able to get in contact with Amy Diaz, the Associate V.P. of the counseling staff. I was thankfully able to get an appointment with her the next morning at 8:15 a.m. We met and went through the whole story again. She typed up a document entitled "Conditions for Return to Class" that she told me I would have to sign in order to return to my classes. The document stated I must not wear my jacket or my empty holster/pouch during the school’s "investigation of my arrest.” Under the duress of being deprived my college education, I reluctantly signed it because I couldn’t allow my college education to be forfeit.
My arrest was wrongful, unwarranted, and unconstitutional. I believe my First Amendment rights and rights as a student were also violated, since I was afforded no due process as a student. If I had been wearing anything else, no matter how offensive, disgusting, alarming, disturbing, deplorable, or otherwise, I believe I would not have been arrested. At the most, I would have been asked to remove what I was wearing, and possibly face punishment for violating school policies – not charged with a false crime that could ruin my future. I broke no school policy, and I certainly broke no law. Yet I now stand falsely charged with a criminal offense under Illinois Statute.
As a rights activist, I don’t just take this personally. I believe this is not only a direct attack on my rights but on beliefs I share with other law-abiding citizens. I support freedom and civil rights. I support the Constitution and those inherent rights that are enshrined in the Bill of Rights. I’m not a radical or extremist in any way. We live in a time when our rights are under constant attack – from both political parties. I believe the one right that guarantees the rest, “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms” as guaranteed by the Second Amendment, is under the most relentless attack of them all.
Making a harmless personal statement of one’s beliefs and the ideals this country was founded upon should not be a reason for arrest. This is an absolute outrage and a sad discredit to what we call a free society. It is a true testament to the anti-gun sentiment driven by FEAR and ignorance in this country today. This is the reason we must raise awareness to our rapidly eroding Second Amendment rights. This is the reason I took my stand and make this statement.
For the record, I never desired, intended, expected, or imagined to be arrested for what I wore on campus. I have never sued anyone for anything, and neither money nor fame motivate my actions. I simply seek awareness of the condition in this country today, and awareness for the negative influence that mainstream media has on people. I just want people to see the facts, and the truth, and demonstrate vigilance for freedom.
Since this incident occurred, I’ve received enormous support from the community. I want to thank everyone for all of the e-mails and words of encouragement. I want to thank everyone for helping to get the word out and helping to assure this sort of thing doesn’t happen ever again. We can’t let belief in the Second Amendment be a reason for arrest, harassment, and persecution. We should and must use this incident as a way to get the word out for our cause.
There are a few things you can do to help! Letters of encouragement and support are always great. They’ve made a real difference. Yet, I am gong to need help through all of this so that we can really take an effective fight against oppression to the actual perpetrators. Please keep us true to the cause and help us all along the way. I ask everyone to keep spreading the word about this as much as possible.
In order to mount the best and most powerful defense possible, vindicate my civil rights and protect us all in the process by filing a Federal lawsuit, I have retained Walter Maksym, a veteran constitutional attorney from Chicago to represent me. He has lectured at Northwestern University on Second Amendment issues, represents Concealed Carry, Inc. (
www.concealcarry.org ) and John Birch, its President, and recently won the Roderick Pritchett, John Horstman, Eric Booker and other cases that involved similar legal issues. Mr. Maksym can be reached at 773-929-2923.
Countless people have inquired about sending in donations to help fund the case. I haven’t decided on this yet and am not ready. However, from the way things are looking, it might be something I will need to consider. More details will be provided about that later on if things change. We are also contacting some national organizations that could assist us with what happens from here. Please help us if you can.