August 27, 2026
Thursday Bulletin – August 27, 2026
Executive Director’s Message
Richard Pearson
Synopsis of story by Cam Edwards – August 20, 2026
For full story, go to: BearingArms.com
Gun owners and Second Amendment advocates are blessed to have a lot of great events across the country focusing on our right to keep and bear arms. There’s the NRA Annual Meeting, Gun Owners of America’s GOALS, GunCon, the Great American Outdoor Show, and the Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC).
The GRPC and the affiliated Alternative Mass Media Conference, also known as AMM-Con, will be in Fort Worth, Texas in late September. GRPC is a three day event that runs Sept. 25—27, and AMM-Con will be the primary focus on Friday, Sept. 25.
While GRPC is aimed at those Second Amendment advocates who care deeply about the legislative and legal battles taking place around our right to keep and bear arms, AMM-Con is geared more towards those who want to have an influence in those fights.
AMM-Con is a gathering of some of the top Second Amendment media members and influencers who provide educational presentations about all things related to our right to keep and bear arms. For those who are established or aspiring journalists, bloggers, video media personalities, podcasters, have a general interest in new media or simply help spread the message through person-to-person social media, AMM-Con is a must-attend event.
The National Rifle Association’s Mark Keefe will give the keynote address during the event and discuss melding publications and media to streamline operations. Notable speakers at the events include retired U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, ATF Director Robert Cekada, ATF Counsel Robert Leider, TX-23 congressional candidate Brandon “The AK Guy” Herrera, Guns and Gadget’s Jared Yanis, and additional speakers Cam Edwards, Mark Smith, William Kirk, Robyn Sandoval, Rich Yumul, Chris Swainhart, Stephen Gutowski, Jason Oliver and Jake Wiskerchen.
Featured educational topics:
The GRPC and AMM-Com are both opportunities for influencers and 2A content creators to collaborate in the cause of protecting and restoring our Second Amendment rights. The lineup of Second Amendment speakers at this year’s events are top-notch. You can register for GRPC HERE and AMM-Con HERE. Hope to see you in Fort Worth the last weekend in September.
The ISRA encourages all members to visit and support BearingArms.com and 2A events across the country as we continue to support 2A rights in Illinois and beyond! To join us in the fight, CLICK HERE.
* * * *
Litigation Update
Ninth Circuit Court Panel Rejects Anti-gun Lawsuit; Plaintiffs Lacked Standing
News release from CCRKBA.org , August 24, 2026 – By CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb
BELLEVUE, WA – The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms congratulates the three-judge panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for unanimously rejecting a lawsuit by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the Giffords Law Center (GLC) against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) because they lacked standing as plaintiffs.
The 18-page decision, authored by Circuit Judge Consuelo M. Callahan, a George W. Bush appointee, observed, “Although California and GLC expended resources to combat the spread and use of ghost guns after enactment of the Final Rule, those expenditures were based on their predictions…But we cannot ‘endorse standing theories that rest on speculation about the decisions of independent actors . . . particularly speculation about future unlawful conduct.”
Bonta and the GLC were demanding that ATF adopt tougher regulations on so-called “ghost guns.” But CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb scoffed at the notion, stating, “The gun prohibition lobby and politicians like Bonta are using so-called ‘ghost guns’ as the new bogeyman of American gun politics.”
Gottlieb pointed to language in Judge Callahan’s ruling which added the proper perspective to this case.
“You can’t litigate based on speculation about possible future unlawful conduct,” Gottlieb observed, “and Judge Callahan was pretty clear about it. Thankfully, the justice system hasn’t gotten to the point of acting on speculation. After all, this isn’t make believe and we live in the real world, not one where litigation is based on science fiction.
“The most significant aspect about the decision,” he added, “is that it came from the notoriously liberal Ninth Circuit. Historically, such rulings wind up before an en banc panel, which could happen here, but for the moment, Bonta, the Giffords group and all the anti-gun state attorneys general submitting amicus briefs are on the losing side, which is where they belong.”
* * * *
Right now, we are in one of those nail-biting quiet times as far as litigation goes. Stuff is happening, but we just can’t see it.
The 72 hour waiting period lawsuit (Pearlstein v Raoul) is moving along and, in addition, we have filed a Notice of Appeal in the Daycare lawsuit (Miller v Meuller). We are also working on an amicus brief in Varimontes v Raoul lawsuit (Cook County semi-auto and magazine ban) which is now being considered by the Supreme Court of the United States. That does not mean they will hear the lawsuit, but they are talking about it. The Supreme Court is not in session until October.
We will keep you apprised of any other movement on litigation as we become aware of it.
To donate to the ISRA to help us continue the fight for Second Amendment rights,
Thank you for standing with the ISRA as we defend the rights of law-abiding Illinois gun owners!
* * * *
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
* * * *
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.
* * * *
My Two Cents – The Story of Winchester Continued…..
During WWI, Winchester purchased new machinery to manufacture 1917 Enfields, and now those machines had nothing to do. A major investment was just sitting there. Using them to make a new target rifle was the answer.
In February 1918, Winchester designers Thomas Crosley and Frank Burton began working on the new target rifle known as “Experimental Design 111”. Remember, Winchester was primarily a manufacturer of lever action rifles and pump shotguns. They certainly made some bolt action .22s, but that was not their bread and butter. These two designers brought all the experience the company had in building rifles together to this project.
In April 1919, the project was done and ready for testing. Prototype rifles were sent to Washington D.C., ready to be put through their paces. The rifles were tested by the famed riflemen Lt. Col. Townsend Whalen of the Department of Civilian Marksmanship, Major Richard LeGarde and General Fred Phillips of the National Rifle Association. They were very enthusiastic. With full-throated praise from these men, six rifles were quickly built and sent to the National .22 Matches at Caldwell, New Jersey. The rifles performed miraculously. Of the several hundred shooters, 14 of the top 20 shooters used these rifles. The word spread though the shooting community like wildfire. Winchester had a winner.
On September 11, 1919, the rifle was designated the Model 52. Production began in April, 1920. The Model 52 soon gained the nickname “King of the .22s”.
The Model 52 is a heavy rifle weighing between 9 and 13 pounds, depending on the model. The returning soldiers who used these rifles were young and in shape. They were used to slogging though the mud carrying a heavy rifle, as well other gear. A 1917 Enfield weighed more than 11 pounds, for example. Even if the rifles had not been as heavy, the life of a soldier was harder in those days.
After the war, one place that became a hot-bed of target shooting, one that I am familiar with, was Bloomington, Illinois. The Chicago & Alton Railroad had a roundhouse and locomotive repair shops there. Many of the workers were Hungarians and they loved to shoot. They were handling two and three hundred ton locomotives. Their wrenches weighed more than a Model 52. I still have two smallbore medals from the National Matches that were won by my Hungarian friend Gustov Krental. The Winchester Model 52 was a tried and true friend to the marksman.
More on Winchester’s history to come…..
* * * *
Left-wing Pundits Just Can’t Figure This Out
The New York Times is a left-wing rag that is as anti-gun as it gets. Their unadulterated bias is shown in their recent reporting on the declining crime rate in Baltimore, Maryland. They can’t seem to figure it out — let’s see if you can.
In 2021, Maryland had 21,000 concealed carry permits and Baltimore had over 300 murders a year. Maryland was a “May Issue” state. Then the Bruen ruling came down and Maryland had to open its permitting to all qualified citizens. In 2025, three short years later, Maryland had over 200,000 concealed carry permits and the number of murders dropped below a 100. Strangely, the number of assaults and armed robberies are down. I know this is a real head-scratcher, but do your best.
* * * *
The ISRA Range Has Classes, Leagues, Special Events And More!
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!
For more info on Classes, Leagues, Special Events and more, go to the ISRA Range Calendar – CLICK HERE.
* * * *
ISRA Town Hall Monthly Meetings
Come and meet fellow activists and learn the latest on protecting our Second Amendment Rights!
Livingston County – This meeting is being reorganized to better engage area ISRA members. More information will be posted when available.
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 – Algonquin/Dundee area – This meeting is being reorganized to better engage area ISRA members. More information will be posted when available.
South Suburban/Cook County – 2nd Thursday of the month – NEW LOCATION: Barraco’s Pizza, 13445 S. Cicero Ave, Crestwood, 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
* * * *
“Money can only buy happiness if you spend it on freedom.
Join the ISRA today.” ~ Richard Pearson
* * * *
LAST CALL! – The ISRA M1 Garand Online Raffle
STILL TIME TO ENTER ONLINE!
Includes: WWII U.S. Army M1923 M1 Garand Rifle Cartridge Belt
M1 Garand Raffle Order Form (PDF)
Ticket prices:
1 Ticket – $20
3 Tickets – $50
8 Tickets – $100
25 Tickets – $250
60 Tickets – $500
Link to M1 Garand Raffle Order Form
Please Read The Fine print:
Official Rules
The Illinois State Rifle Association is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization, donations to Illinois State Rifle Association are not tax-deductible. Prize must be claimed within 90 days of drawing.
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
* * * *
“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
September 5 – 6 (Sat, Sun) NRA Basic Pistol/CCL – Classroom/Range 8 & Clubhouse/Range 11 – 8:00am – 5:30pm
September 5 (Sat) Range Work Day – 8:00am – 4:00pm
September 10 (Thurs) CCL Renewal & Qualification – Clubhouse & Range 11 – 9:00am – 12:30pm
September 11, 12, 13 (Fri,Sat, Sun) 3-Day Comprehensive Instructor Development for the Dedicated Woman Firearms Instructor – Clubhouse & Range 11 – 9:00am – 5:00pm
September 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 (Mon – Fri) NRA Law Enforcement Pistol Instructor Course – Range 11 – 8:00am – 5:00pm
September 26 (Sat) Defensive Tactics For Concealed Carry / Level 3 – Range 9 – 9:00am – 5:00pm
September 26 (Sat) NRA Basic Instructor (BIT) – Clubhouse – 12:00pm – 6:00pm
September 27 (Sun) NRA Basic Pistol Instructor – Clubhouse & Range 11 – 8:00am – 6:00pm
*** 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.
* * * *
ISRA Members: To view the
Illinois Shooter – Summer 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
* * * *
Super Tidbit
Henry Knox’s contributions to the Revolutionary war are often overlooked in American History.
When George Washington was appointed Commander of the Continental Army, he only had 36 barrels of gun powder, poorly trained soldiers, few leaders, and not enough of anything except more problems. One major problem was he had was no artillery.
In northern New York, Fort Ticonderoga had been captured, which included 43 artillery pieces that General Washington desperately needed. Washington chose a 26 year-old volunteer by the name of Henry Knox to go after them.
Henry Knox wasn’t just any volunteer. Knox was a big man for the time. He stood 6 foot, 3 inches tall and weighed 250 pounds. He had been a gang member and was known for his street-fighting prowess. Knox eventually became a bookseller in Boston, ordering books for British Officers stationed there on tactics, fortifications, logistics and artillery. Knox not only ordered British military books, but also those from France, Prussia and Holland, the reading of which probably benefited the American side as well. Knox was, undoubtedly, well educated in military affairs, as well as a natural leader.
General Washington promoted Henry Knox to Colonel and, on November 16, 1775, he sent him to New York City to find munitions. Unfortunately, upon reaching New York City, he found few munitions, but he did note that the city was very expensive — nothing seems to have changed from then to now.
From there, Knox set off for Fort Ticonderoga to retrieve as many artillery pieces as possible. When he got there, he found that the soldiers and volunteers had done a great job. Not only did they have cannons from Fort Ticonderoga, but several other fortresses as well, bringing the total to 59 cannons and mortars.
Boston was 325 miles away and the dead of winter was just around the corner. To haul the cannon barrels and mortars south, Knox had 42 sleds built. Since oxen were the best at hauling heavy loads as they were stronger and tougher than horses, a total of 80 yoke of oxen (160 animals) were hitched to the sleds. The largest cannon hauled was a 24-pounder weighing in at 5000 pounds and the smallest were 4 pounders. To reduce weight, only the cannon barrels and mortar tubes were transported. It was a long slog.
Colonel Knox personally scouted every trial and river crossing. For 56 days, they faced blizzard conditions, heavy snows and freezing cold. Some days they were only able to make 4 miles. They were patriots who knew how important their “noble train of the artillery”, as it became known, was to the revolution. They pushed on, in spite of the hardships and because they had a good leader in Col. Knox.
When they finally they reached Springfield, Massachusetts, the oxen were spent. General Schuyler rounded up 124 teams (248 total) of horses to the drag the sleds to Farmington, Massachusetts. There, carpenters and blacksmiths could build carriages, cheeks (frames) axles, wheels, and mortar platforms to make the artillery usable in the field.
General Washington needed those cannon to fortify Dorchester Heights and to control Boston and Boston Harbor. Previously, in February, 1776, the British had tried to fortify Dorchester Heights but the ground was frozen and it was just too cold. Then, on March 4, 1776, General John Thomas and Colonel Gridley moved 1200 troops and 300 oxcarts to the Heights, working all night to fortify the area by moving cannons into the positions overlooking both the City of Boston and the harbor.
On the morning of March 5, 1776, on the 6th anniversary of the Boston Massacre, the British woke up to find artillery covering the city and the harbor. The British were astounded. The Americans had done in one night what the British thought it would take two or three months as to do. British General William Howe, much to his chagrin, said he had planned to attack the Americans but was prevented in doing so by bad weather. Actually, General Howe was haunted by the memories of what happened at Bunker Hill.
While Colonel Knox and his troops watched, 9000 British soldiers, 1200 defendants and 1100 loyalists boarded 120 British ships and sailed out of Boston harbor on March 17, 1776. Henry Knox had led dozens of men though terrible conditions and inclement weather to drive the British out. That spirit is why we won the Revolutionary War. The leadership and efforts of Henry Knox made that victory possible. But Henry Knox wasn’t done yet.
More to come…..
* * * *
Tidbits
August 27, 1883 – The island of Krakatoa explodes when one of the largest volcanoes in recorded history fills the skies with volcanic ash. The explosion was so loud that it was heard 3000 miles away. The tsunami that it caused produced a 120 foot high wave that killed 36,000 people. The volcanic ash lowered world-wide temperatures for years to come.
August 28, 1968 – Riots break out in Chicago during the Democrat National Convention. Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley deployed 12,000 police officers and another 15,000 State and Federal officers to contain the protesters. The protest was against the Vietnam War, but other issues were also on the protesters’ minds. I lived in Orland Park, Illinois, at the time and I can tell you that it was quite exciting.
August 28, 1941 – More than 23,000 Hungarian Jews are sent to Ukraine where they are killed. By the end of World War II, over 600,000 Jews that had been sent to Ukraine had been killed.
August 30, 1967 – Thurgood Marshall is confirmed as Supreme Court Justice. He was the first African-American to be confirmed to the Supreme Court of the United States. He retired after 24 years because of health reasons. In 1930, Marshall tried to gain admittance to the Maryland School of Law, but was turned away because of their segregation policies. So Marshall instead attended the Howard School of Law and later successfully sued the Maryland School of Law for all of their unfair admissions policies. Try that one on for size, Maryland.
Thurgood Marshall challenged an unfair system. But what defines biased admissions policies is still being argued and litigated to this day.
August 31, 1798 – America’s first bank robbery takes place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The amount stolen was a magnificent sum of $162,821. Everything would have worked out pretty well except for the robber trying to deposit the money back in the very bank he had just robbed. This proves, once again, that criminals aren’t as smart as they think they are.
September 1, 1939 – Adolf Hitler invades Poland. Hitler used the new Nazi form of warfare known as “blitzkrieg”, or “lightning war”, against the Polish Army. World War II had begun.
September 2, 1945 – Japan officially surrenders to the Allies, bringing an end to World War II. The instrument of surrender was signed aboard the battleship USS Missouri. To impress the Japanese, General Douglas MacArthur brought more than 250 Allied warships to Tokyo Harbor and , additionally, had more than 4000 airplanes fly over the proceedings. Approximately 60 million people lost their lives in World War II.
* * * *
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. 17 – 18, 2026 Kankakee Gun & Sportsmans Show, Kankakee Fairgrounds, Kankakee, 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. 21 – 22, 2026 Kankakee Gun & Sportsmans Show, Kankakee Fairgrounds, Kankakee, 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. 5 – Dec. 6, 2026 Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club House, Chillicothe, IL.
Dec. 12 – 13, 2026 Kankakee Gun & Sportsmans Show, Kankakee Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL.
Feb. 13 – 14, 2027 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association – New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL.
* * * *
Stand Strong &
Thank you for being a member!
– Richard Pearson
If you are not an ISRA member, join TODAY!
Donate: isra.org/support-us/
Visit: isra.org/
Upcoming Meetings: isra.org/isra-activities-and-events/
Upcoming Range Events: isra.org/the-range/#range-calendar
PO Box 637
420 E Locust St
Chatsworth Illinois 60921
USA
Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options