Thursday Bulletin – July 2, 2026

Executive Director’s Message

Richard Pearson

The ISRA wishes you and your loved ones a fun-filled, safe and patriotic July 4th!

 

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Comer’s House Committee Seeks Info From ATF On Biden Administration’s Anti-gun Collusion

 

The letter below was recently sent to the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Robert Cekada, from James Comer, Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, in an attempt to procure documents and communications between the Biden Administration and left-leaning, anti Second Amendment group called “Everytown for Gun Safety” (Everytown).  Chairman Comer’s request comes after the committee obtained information on meetings between Biden Administration officials (several of whom had direct links to the Everytown group) and private gun manufacturers (Glock) and whether the Biden Administration and Everytown colluded to attack private gun manufacturing companies through “lawfare” to circumvent Second Amendment rights.

 

Everytown and its affiliates are the most well-funded and well-organized anti-gun group in history.  Everytown is backed by anti-gun billionaire Michael Bloomberg and others.  They stop at nothing; I and many others have long suspected collusion between the ATF and, perhaps, other government bureaucracies to attack the Second Amendment in every way possible.  One example would be pushing the Bureau of Land Management to ban shooting on public land, which has now been corrected by the Trump Administration.  The list goes on.  The most egregious example is the suspected collusion between the ATF and Everytown to destroy firearm manufacturers using what is known as “lawfare” or the weaponization of government bureaucracies to sue legitimate organizations or individuals out of existence.  Other types of weaponization would include raids on people’s property and all kinds of harassing legal interference.  No individual, organization or corporation can defend against the power of the government when it is used nefariously.

 

 

In a reply to Comer’s actions taken to obtain more information from the ATF, the ISRA responded with the following letter of support to Chairman James Comer:

 

We thank Chairman Comer for his diligent efforts to track down the truth behind illegal activities to thwart and punish gun manufacturers and legal gun owners.  Unfortunately, this fight is never-ending.  At every turn, the left and their monied backers continue to use lawfare, and any other means they can find, to attack the Second Amendment.

 

We at the ISRA stand with all law-abiding citizens, supporting every effort to protect and defend your Second Amendment rights, whether in Illinois or country-wide.  With your continued help, we will never stop fighting.  Thank you for your support!!!!

 

Not an ISRA member?  Join the ISRA and support 2A rights in Illinois and beyond! – CLICK HERE.

 

 

A downloadable version of Comer’s letter is available from the House Oversite Committee’s page:

CLICK HERE.

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Litigation Update

 

Illinois State Rifle Association Applauds U.S. Supreme Court Decision to Hear Challenge to Cook County “Assault Weapons” Ban

 

Chatsworth, IL — The Illinois State Rifle Association applauds today’s decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to grant a writ of certiorari in Viramontes v. Cook County, a major Second Amendment case challenging Cook County’s so-called “assault weapons” ban.

 

The Court also granted certiorari in a similar challenge to Connecticut’s ban. Both cases are expected to be heard during the Supreme Court’s 2026–2027 term, which begins in October.

 

This is a significant development for law-abiding gun owners in Illinois and across the country. For too long, Cook County and other anti-Second Amendment jurisdictions have attempted to ban commonly owned firearms that millions of Americans lawfully possess for self-defense, sport shooting, hunting, and other lawful purposes.

 

“This is an important moment for Second Amendment rights in Illinois,” said the Illinois State Rifle Association. “Cook County’s ban targets law-abiding citizens, not criminals. The Supreme Court now has an opportunity to reaffirm that commonly owned firearms are protected by the Second Amendment and that local governments cannot simply ban firearms they politically dislike.”

 

Attorney David Sigale, who represented the Second Amendment Foundation in the Viramontes case at the district court level, will be working with plaintiffs in other Illinois consolidated cases to provide supporting arguments through an amicus brief before the Supreme Court.

 

The ISRA thanks the Second Amendment Foundation and the Firearms Policy Coalition for their leadership in bringing this critical case before the nation’s highest court.

 

While today’s action is not a final ruling on the merits, it is a major step forward. The Supreme Court’s decision to take up these cases signals that the constitutional questions surrounding bans on commonly owned semiautomatic firearms can no longer be ignored.

 

The Illinois State Rifle Association will continue to stand with law-abiding gun owners and fight against unconstitutional firearm restrictions at every level of government.

 

 

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This has been great week for the Second Amendment.  The Supreme Court of the United States has declared unconstitutional Hawaii’s law that made it unlawful to carry a concealed firearm on to private property unless the property owner posted sign stating it was allowed.  This law was clearly designed to destroy the Second Amendment in Hawaii.  This was known as the “Vampire rule”.  The decision was 6-3.  Dissenting Justices were Kagan, Jackson and Sotomayor.

 

 

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No further updates for now.  We are still waiting on the Seventh Circuit.

We will keep you apprised of any other movement on litigation as we become aware of it.

To donate to the ISRA Legislative Fund to help us continue the fight for Second Amendment rights,

CLICK HERE.

Thank you for standing with the ISRA and for defending the rights of law-abiding Illinois gun owners! 

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Legislative Update

 

Veto session is on the way and we are waiting.  We will keep you apprised of any news on legislation as we become aware of it

 

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The up-coming 2026 veto session dates for the Illinois Senate are:

November 17th, 18th, 19th and December 1st, 2nd, 3rd.

 

You can find downloadable PDF versions of the House calendar HERE and the Senate calendar HERE to view all the legislative session deadlines.

 

The ISRA maintains a list of the most important bills under consideration in the Illinois State Legislature; the most current list is always the ISRA Legislation Page.   Click and follow along!

 

 

 

Thank you for standing with the ISRA and for defending the rights of law-abiding Illinois gun owners.

 

Not an ISRA member?  Join the ISRA and support 2A rights in Illinois – CLICK HERE.

 

 

 

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The ISRA Range Has Classes, Leagues, Special Events And More!

From now until July 30th, we will be giving $50 off new member initiation fees when one joins the ISRA Range.  We offer 18 different shooting leagues.  Some are weekly and some are monthly, and all of them are fun.  There is no better place to learn new things and for camaraderie while you improve on your marksmanship skills. It’s a great place for you to shoot!

 

Check Out These ISRA Leagues:

 

On the first Saturday of every month, we have the Steel Challenge.  The league starts at 8:00am.  This is one of our most popular leagues.  New shooters welcome for this league.  CLICK HERE for details.

 

The first Sunday of every month is when the Black Powder League meets. If you haven’t ever shot Black Powder before, we have loaner rifles and instruction available.  Black Powder is a hoot.  Be there about 8:00 am.  New shooters are welcome.  CLICK HERE  for details.

 

On the third Sunday of every month, the NEW ISRA Concealed Carry League will meet at the ISRA Range in Bonfield. The league is from 9:00AM until Noon.  Registration is at 8:30AM with the first match kicking off at 9:00AM. This is a great chance to practice you concealed carry skills and have fun at the same time. This league is sponsored by Springfield Armory.  New shooters welcome for this league.  CLICK HERE  for details.

 

The Glock League will have two relays this year, a morning relay and an afternoon relay.   The Glock League meets the last Sunday of the month.  CLICK HERE  for morning details and CLICK HERE for afternoon details.

 

Come and join in one of the many leagues we have!   We’ll see you at the range!

 

To check out all of our classes, leagues and other events, browse the ISRA Range calendar! – CLICK HERE.

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My Two Cents

 

For a long time I have been warning everyone that ammunition prices were going to go up.  Now they are doing just that.  They are going higher.  I would buy all you can right now.

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Warning!!!  Tick Season Is Here!

 

These nasty little guys are not only irritating when they bite, but they can transfer some nasty illnesses to their hosts!  This year, they are supposed to be especially numerous and cases of tick-borne illness are up considerably nationwide.  Be sure to take precautions when out in wooded or grassy areas.  Use sprays with DEET in them on exposed skin, clothing and equipment to keep the biting critters at bay.

 

We recommend this OFF Tick spray from Amazon: CLICK HERE

 

Be safe and bite-free out there!

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ISRA Town Hall Monthly Meetings

Come and meet fellow activists and learn the latest on protecting our Second Amendment Rights!

Livingston County – 4th Tuesday of the month – South Post Guns, 104 Livingston Rd., Streator, IL; Summer meetings are postponed until August.

Madison County – 1st Wednesday of the month – Piasa Armory, 625 Lewis and Clark Blvd., East Alton, IL; Doors open at 6:15pm; Meeting starts at 6:30pm

Northwest Suburban – 3rd Tuesday of the month – Algonquin/Dundee area – New Location – GAT Guns, 970 Dundee Ave, East Dundee, IL   –  Discounted Pistol Range from 4pm to 6pm, Social starts at 5:30pm, Meeting 7pm – 8pm, Catering fee $20

South Suburban/Cook County – 2nd Thursday of the month – New Location: Papa Joe’s Italian Restaurant, 14459 LaGrange Rd, Orland Park, IL; Doors open 6:00pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm

Will County – 3rd Wednesday of the month – Silver Dollar Restaurant, 422 E. Mississippi Ave., Elwood, IL; Doors open 6pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm

 

 

 

 

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“Money can only buy happiness if you spend it on freedom.  Join the ISRA today.”  ~ Richard Pearson

 

Enter Soon!!! Henry Golden Boy .22lr NRA 2nd Amendment Tribute Edition Raffle

Chambered in .22lr  /  Only 2,000 produced in 2016  /  MSRP $1,100 – $1,350

Drawing will be held July 9th, 2026.  Entries being mailed must be postmarked by July 2nd, 2026.

Ticket prices:
1 Ticket – $20
3 Tickets – $50
8 Tickets – $100
25 Tickets – $250

For more Information on the raffle and to purchase tickets –CLICK HERE.

 

Please Read The Fine print:

Official Rules

1. Contest is open to all legal Illinois residents 18 years of age or older. ISRA reserves the right to make final determination as to a contestant’s eligibility to win a prize.
2. Date of Drawing: Drawing will be held July 9th, 2026.
3. By entering, each entrant accepts and agrees to be bound by these rules and decisions of the ISRA which shall be final and binding. By accepting the prize, the winner agrees that the ISRA accepts no responsibility or liability in connection with injuries, losses, or damages of any kind caused by, or resulting from the acceptance, possession or usage of the prize(s) awarded hereunder.
4. Prize Claim(s). Prize must be claimed within 90 days of drawing..
5. Offer Void Where Prohibited. This offer is void where prohibited or restricted by law. All federal, state, and local laws apply.
6. Entries being mailed must be postmarked by July 2nd, 2026.

 

For other questions or information on this raffle, contact:
ISRA – PO Box 637 – Chatsworth, IL 60921
(815) 635-3198 or E-Mail: member@isra.org

The Illinois State Rifle Association is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization, donations to Illinois State Rifle Association are not tax-deductible. Winner of the firearm must comply with all Federal, State and local laws.  Prize must be claimed within 90 days of drawing.

 

 

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Please CLICK HERE for information on the rest of our RAFFLES.

 

 

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“I am frequently asked if the ISRA sells our membership list.  The answer is absolutely not.”  ~ Richard Pearson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Education & Training @ ISRA Range, Bonfield, IL.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to start time.

*Every Thursday (unless otherwise noted)  ISRA Precision Air Pistol Training – Range 12 & Clubhouse – 5:30pm – 7:00pm

July 11 (Sat) Illinois Concealed Carry Renewal – Classroom & Range 8 – 2:00pm – 5:00pm

July 12 (Sun) CCL Renewal & Qualification – Range 11 & Clubhouse – 1:00pm – 4:30pm

July 19 (Sun) NRA Range Safety Officer – Clubhouse – 8:30am – 6:00pm

July 28 (Tues) NRA Range Safety Officer – Sparta, IL – 8:30am – 6:00pm

August 1 (Sat) NRA Range Safety Officer – Sparta, IL – 8:30am – 6:00pm

August 1 (Sat) Defensive Tactics for Concealed Carry Level 1 – Range 8 – 8:00am – 5:00pm

August  8 (Sat) CCL Renewal – Clubhouse – 9:00am –12:00pm

August 20 – 23 (Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun) Massad Ayoob – MAG40 – World Shooting & Recreational Complex – 8:30am – 7:00pm

August 26 – 30 (Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun) Massad Ayoob – MAG80 – ISRA Range, Bonfield (more info TBA)

September 5 – 6 (Sat, Sun) IL Concealed Carry – Clubhouse – 9:00am – 5:30pm

 

*** Please contact academy@isra.org for any training or class questions and check the ISRA Range Calendar for links to dates, times, descriptions of ISRA activities and events.

 

 

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ISRA Members: To view the

Illinois Shooter – Spring 2026, click HERE.

 

If you would like to donate to us, please CLICK HERE.
Thank you for your support!

 

GET IN THE FIGHT, STAY IN THE FIGHT, JOIN THE ISRA

To Join the ISRA, CLICK HERE.

 

 

The Illinois State Rifle Association

is the home of marksmanship in Illinois

 

 

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Super Tidbit

It’s July, 1776, and we have just adopted the Declaration of Independence, but we have a few problems.  The biggest one is how to finance the Revolutionary War.  We were facing Great Britain who had the largest, best trained army and navy the world had ever had, as well as the mightiest industrial base in the world at that time.  We had no navy, an army made up of bumpkins, and no money.  What could possibly go wrong?

 

It is true that Spain and France were supplying vast amounts of war material but it was going to take more than that.  The Colonies were under no real obligation to supply money to the military efforts.  The colonists were in mortal fear of a centralized government, and the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union had no provision to lay and collect taxes. The only answer was private financing and fund-raising.  Fortunately, several people stepped forward, but the three primary ones were Robert Morris, Haym Salomon and John Hancock.

 

Robert Morris, Haym Salomon, and even John Hancock, have been mostly overlooked because they were not the enlightened idealists like Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, John Adams and George Washington.  They were businessmen.  But, without them, the Revolutionary War would have collapsed in short order.

 

Robert Morris was a Philadelphia merchant and one of only two delegates that signed all three of the founding documents; the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution.  Robert Morris contributed and raised money to support George Washington and the Revolutionary War.  He worked closely with Haym Salomon, a Jewish businessman who had immigrated from Poland.  Haym Salomon also donated heavily to the Revolutionary War and raised money also.  Both

Robert Morris and Haym Salomon were experts at handling all kinds of money.  They converted English Pounds, Dutch Gilders, Spanish Pesos, French Franks, German Marks and other currencies into Dollars… a monumental job.

 

As I have mentioned before, much aid for the revolution came though New Orleans. Oliver Pollock , a Philadelphia Merchant who settled in New Orleans, facilitated Spanish contributions up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.  Oliver Pollock is also the inventor of the dollar sign ( $ ).

 

John Hancock donated ships to the navy and bought gunpowder and other supplies and simply donated them to the cause of freedom.

 

 

The Revolutionary War had money problems even up until the last battle at Yorktown.  George Washington was out of money and the last battle wasn’t over yet.  Washington called on his longtime friend, Haym Salomon, who sent him $20,000.  The “Ladies of New Orleans” also sent money, facilitated by Oliver Pollock.  Had these two sources of money never happened, British General Cornwallis would have escaped to New York.  Fortunately it didn’t happen, but it was a close one to say the least.

 

None of these men were ever paid back.  Both Robert Morris and Haym Salomon died penniless.  The cost of freedom has always been high and that is still true today.

 

 

 

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Tidbits

 

July 2, 1776 – The Continental Congress votes for independence from Britain.  Richard Henry Lee, a delegate from Virginia, read a resolution before the Continental Congress “that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.” The Lee Resolution was adopted by 12 of the 13 colonies (New York did not vote). Immediately afterward, Congress began to consider the Declaration of Independence. Congress made some alterations and deletions to it on July 2, 3, and the morning of the 4th.

 

 

 

July 2, 1863 – The 15th Alabama, under the command of Colonel William Oates, attacks the left flank of the Union Army at Gettysburg.  The left flank of the Union Army was protected by a few dozen troops of the Second U.S. Sharpshooters.  The Second U.S. Sharpshooters were equipped with new breech-loading Sharps rifles but were out-numbered 10 to 1.  To be in the Second U.S. Sharpshooters, you had to shoot 10 shots within a 7 inch circle at 200 yards.  They had superior firepower and marksmanship skills.

 

The 644 men of the 15th Alabama were up against withering fire from the Sharpshooters.  The 15th Alabama suffered 343 casualties out of 644 men.  The Sharpshooters were out of ammunition when they were reinforced by a regiment from the Abraham Lincoln brigade.  July 2, 1863, is the date that the United States was saved by superior marksmanship.

 

 

 

July 2, 1937 – American aviator Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan are reported missing near Howland Island in the Pacific.  The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Itasca received sporadic radio contact with Earhart.  She said she was running low on fuel and that they had lost their way.  No trace of Earhart or her plane has ever been found.

 

 

 

July 3, 1775 – George Washington takes command of the Continental Army.  Some oppose the appointment of Washington as General of the Army, but he was eventually chosen because his leadership would bind together the Southern Colonies, the New England Colonies and the rebellion.

 

 

 

July 3, 1863 – The Battle of Gettysburg ends when Confederate General George Pickett is commanded by General Robert E. Lee to attack the center of the Union line on Cemetery Ridge.  This was known as “Pickett’s Charge”.Union artillery, as well as rifle fire, cut down the army of Northern Virginia.  In less than an hour, more than 7,000 troops had been killed.  A few reached the Union lines and were dead almost immediately.  General Lee and his exhausted troops withdraw.

 

 

 

July 4, 1776 – America officially becomes a nation!  This date commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by the Second Continental Congress, establishing the United States of America.  By doing this, the Congressional delegates declared that the Thirteen Colonies were no longer subject to the monarch of Britain, King George III, and were now united, free, and independent states.

July 4, 1976 – The United States celebrates it’s 200th anniversary.  One of my most memorable experiences was a Freedom Train coming to Peoria, Illinois.  There were two Freedom Trains, one east of the Mississippi and one west of the Mississippi.  They were rebuilt steam engines and were a sight to see.

 

 

 

July 4, 1884 – France gives the Statue of Liberty to the Unites States as a commemoration of friendship between France and the U.S.  The ceremony was held in Paris, France.  The statue stands slightly over 150 feet high and weighs 225 tons.  The outside in hammered sheets of copper over a steel framework.  The sculptor was Frederic Auguste Bartholdi.  The framework was built by Gustave Eiffel, who would later design and build the Eiffel Tower.

 

 

 

July 4, 2026 – Happy 250th birthday, America!The U.S.A. Celebrates it’s 250th anniversary.Get out there and celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime, momentous occasion!

 

 

 

July 5, 1921 – The trial begins for indicted White Sox players “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, Buck Weaver and Eddie Cicotte, who were accused of throwing the 1919 World Series.  The scandal came to light when the gamblers didn’t pay the players as promised.  What brought about the scandal was that the players were seriously underpaid by White Sox owner, Charles Comiskey.  What a shock it is to find out that a professional Chicago sports team would underpay their players.

 

 

 

July 5, 1937 – The Hormel meat company introduces everybody’s favorite canned luncheon meat, Spam.

 

 

 

July 6, 1785 – The Continental Congress establishes the dollar as the official standard of currency for the United States.  It also established a base-10 monetary system based on ten cents making a dime and ten dimes making a dollar.

 

 

 

July 8, 1950 – The City of Paris, France, celebrates it’s 2000th birthday.  The city’s founders were a Gallic tribe known as the Parisii.

 

 

 

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Gun Shows

While the gun show information shown in this email is believed to be accurate, sometimes changes occur. This is provided for informational purposes only.

If your club or organization is holding a gun show, event or class, let us know the details, and we’d be happy to post it in our Weekly Range Schedule.

 

Sept. 19 – Sept. 20, 2026   Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club House, Chillicothe, IL.

Sept. 19, 2026   National Civil War, Military, and Collector Arms Show, DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton, IL.

Oct. 3 – 4, 2026   Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association – New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL.

Oct. 24 – 25, 2026   Belleville Gun & Knife Show, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville, IL.

Oct. 24 – 25, 2026   Sauk Trail Gun Collectors Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.

Nov. 7 – 8, 2026  Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL.

Nov. 28 – 29, 2026   Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association – New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL.

Nov. 28 – 29, 2026   Sauk Trail Gun Collectors Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.

Dec. 6 – Dec. 7, 2026   Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club House, Chillicothe, IL.

Feb. 13 – 14, 2027   Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association – New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL.

 

 

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