As we stand at the threshold of our second century, we are continuing to promote marksmanship and gun safety, but our role is widening beyond our Founders’ wildest dreams. Politicians, whose actions 200 years ago formed us for the protection of the United States, now betray us, as well as the ideals that made this country great. Hunters are attacked by animal rights activists – and the law protects those activists.
Public hunting lands, purchased by special taxes imposed on hunters, are now closed to those same hunters; mayors and other politicians whose policies have caused segments of our society to go out of control blame gun owners for their failures; radical anti-gun organizations partnering with major news media seek to make gun ownership, sport shooting, hunting, collecting, and even self-defense illegal or impossible.
The mission of the ISRA Academy is to promote firearm safety and excellence in marksmanship by providing training and other educational
opportunities to all law-abiding gun owners in Illinois.
In 1903, the year of inception of ISRA, the Education & Training Committee was formed with the sole purpose of providing civilians an opportunity to learn and practice shooting skills so they would become proficient marksmen if later called on to serve in the U.S. military. Over the years the activities of the Committee were expanded to include education and training of youth and women in all types of shooting sports.