June 1, 2023
Executive Director’s Message
Richard Pearson
The Illinois General Assembly (GA) is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, May 19, 2023.
While this is supposed to happen, there is a real chance it may go longer, in my opinion.
There are a lot of bills still out there. I would like them to adjourn, but realistically it may not happen by May 19. I would not be surprised to see special sessions this summer.
HB218 is a really troublesome bill that is another one of those illegal or unconstitutional or both bills the Illinois GA likes to pass. HB218 passed out of the Executive Committee on a party-line vote. It is now on the Senate floor. Here is what HB218 does …
HB218 ALLOWS PRIVATE CAUSE OF ACTION TO BE BROUGHT AGAINST ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY INVOLVED IN THE FIREARMS INDUSTRY BY USING OVERLY BROAD TERMS IN CONFLICT WITH FEDERAL LAW
Please call your state senator and ask them to oppose HB218.
HB218 provides a private cause of action against firearms manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers for a wide variety of vaguely-worded things … which basically comes down to mere participation in the firearms industry.
Nothing in these vague standards gives firearms industry participants guidance on how to avoid liability. Some examples include (a) helping create a dangerous condition; (b) any gun design or marketing that might appeal to a minor; and (c) how one might identify a “straw purchaser.”
The apparent goal is to subject firearms industry participants to a flood of private litigation to financially cripple them with legal fees. The net result, if successful, would put out of business those who make and sell firearms; this would cut off any supply to law enforcement and members of the armed forces, as well as citizens who lawfully exercise their Second Amendment rights.
House Amendment #1 to HB 218 also conflicts with federal law that addresses such instances of liability. In 2005, Congress passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (“PLCAA” / 15 U.S.C. §§ 7901– 7903). The PLCAA provides broad immunity to gun manufacturers and dealers in federal and state court and prohibits a “qualified civil liability action” that results from the criminal or “lawful misuse” of firearms or ammunition.
PLCAA provides six exceptions to the blanket civil immunity: (1) actions brought against individuals who “knowingly transfer a firearm, knowing that such firearms will be used to commit a crime of violence” by an individual directly harmed by such unlawful conduct; (2) actions brought against a seller for negligent entrustment or negligence per se; (3) an action in which a manufacturer or seller knowingly violated a state or federal statute applicable to the sale or marketing of their product, and the violation was a proximate cause of the harm for which relief is sought; (4) an action for breach of contract or warranty; (5) an action for death, physical injuries or property damage resulting directly from a defect in design or manufacture of the product; (6) an action brought by the Attorney General to enforce the Gun Control Act or the National Firearms Act.
Similar legislation in six other states is under legal challenge for violating PLCAA.
OPPONENTS
Illinois State Rifle Association
Illinois Manufacturers Association Springfield Armory
National Rifle Association
National Shooting Sports Foundation
On the litigation front, things are moving along. Maybe not as fast as we would like, but fast for litigation. The lawsuits from the Southern District of Illinois have been consolidated with the Bevis v Naperville lawsuit. The briefs for government defendants are due by June 5, 2023. The briefs for plaintiffs are due by June 16, 2023, and reply briefs are due by June 26, 2023. Oral arguments will be held on June 29, 2023. The question always is when the court will rule. There is no timeline the court must comply with, but I would think we would know by August. Whatever the ruling, the side who loses will try to get it to the Supreme Court of the United States. The Supreme Court of the United States will be back in Session on the first Monday of October. We are unlikely to have a ruling before June 2024. I would love to see an Injunction against the State of Illinois come out of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
The United States Supreme Court has rejected the request for an injunction against the Naperville Ordinance. This was expected by this writer because the Bevis v Naperville lawsuit is now before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and is on a fast track, as previously noted. It would be unlike a court to step on a lower court while a case was being heard.
News from other lawsuits across the country has been positive. The ever-reliable Second Amendment Foundation and its various partners have won a preliminary injunction against the draconian State of New Jersey and its anti-concealed-carry laws. The U.S. Court cited the Bruen decision, which bodes well for our lawsuits against the State of Illinois.
In Virginia, a federal judge has ruled that the Second Amendment applies to 18,19, and 20-year-old young adults. Other courts have ruled that a person’s civil rights are vested at age 18. In Illinois, the Meyer v Raoul lawsuit also deals with the 18, 19, and 20-year-old issues.
SIG Sauer is now the largest gun manufacturer in the world. The 270-year-old company has been a leader in Europe for years. When they moved to the United States and started manufacturing firearms here, they exploded. Congratulations to SIG Sauer.
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Tidbits
May 1944
In England, particularly southeast England, allied forces are preparing to do what would become known all over the world as D-Day. The secret name for this was Operation Overlord.
The preparation for war and war itself pales over all other human endeavors. This was the case 79 years ago. The planning for D-Day began in 1940, but it was not until the Tehran Conference in 1943 that things really started to happen. Everything had to be flown or shipped to England. The North Atlantic had to be secured from attacks by German U-Boats. Not an easy task. That is another story in itself. Thousands of freighters and tanks had to be built. Hitler thought it couldn’t be done. Hitler did not understand American resolve. The United States built 5500 freighters. These were known as Liberty ships, and the larger, faster version was known as Victory ships. This figure does not include other types of vessels. By 1944 there was literally a bridge of ships carrying supplies to England and returning to the United States to be reloaded. One of the main ports that loaded the ship was the Port of Chicago. We think of grain and meat when we think of Chicago, but much of the ammunition came from the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant. The Rock Island Arsenal made all kinds of heavy artillery pieces and loading mechanisms for naval guns. Other ammunition plants sprang up in places like Illiopolis, Illinois, which produced naval artillery shells, much of which was shipped out of Chicago, much of which was destined for England and D-Day and after.
It is hard to describe the magnitude of what was going on. Maybe this will help: In May 1944, there were 1,600,000 American servicemen and women in England. Every day, all these people had to be fed. That meant that every day 4,800,000 meals had to be prepared and served. The next day it would happen all over again, and again, and again. This was for our troops only. There were service men and women from many other nations there also. They had to do the same thing.
Preparations included all kinds of things. A railroad was built that went nowhere. Its purpose was to train soldiers on how to run European trains. Thousands of slide rules had to be shipped with artillery units to calculate accurate artillery fire. How many of you know what a slide is and how you use it? Hundreds of balloons in the shape of tanks and trucks were placed around England to deceive the Germans and make them think the attack was coming from Calais, not Normandy. There are a million details that there is no time to discuss.
Soldiers were nervous about D-Day, but they wanted to get it over with even though they knew they might not come back. Finally, D-Day came. Hither was right about one thing. He said the allies would not have 4000 ships, which he thought would be required for the invasion. They had 5000. All this occurred 79 years ago this month.
May 18, 1917
Congress passes the Selective Service Act.
The U.S. Military grew to 4,800,000 men. Of those, 2,800,000 were drafted.
May 19, 1802
Napoleon establishes the Legion of Honor. The Legion of Honor was the first medal to be awarded to commoners who performed great service to their country. Napoleon decorated both “soldiers and servants.”. Until that time, awards went to members of royalty and princes of the church. Most medals had a Maltese Cross with four bars. The Legion of Honor has Five bars.
The Legion of Honor is one of the world’s most recognized decorations. When the ISRA was founded in 1903, the Legion of Honor, combined with the United States Eagle, became the basis for our logo.
May 20, 2023
Armed Forces Day.
This day, the second Saturday in May is designated to show the men and women of the armed forces our appreciation as a nation.
May 20, 1873
Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis receive a patent for a copper rivet to strengthen
The pockets and other stress points in pants. The idea should catch on, I think.
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At the range this week:
The Smallbore and Smallbore F Class league starts today. The league begins at 2:00 pm and runs until dusk. Go check it out. New shooters are welcome. This league welcomes new shooters.
On Sunday, May 21, the Bullseye League Starts. New shooters are welcome. The league runs from 8:00 am until noon. This is a 30-round league, so it does not require a lot of ammunition. From 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm is the combat league. This is a 48-round competition. Both pistols and revolvers may be used.
On Tuesday, May 23rd, the Tuesday night Irregular Rifle league will run from 11:30 am until 7:30 pm. New shooters welcome. Please be there by 4:30 pm for the afternoon relay.
Wednesday, May 24, is a busy day for leagues.
The F-Class High-power league runs from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. New shooters are welcome. Equipment and coaching are available for new shooters.
On Wednesday, the Benchrest league starts. The league starts at 8:00 am and runs until the afternoon. New shooters are welcome.
On Wednesday, the Paper-Steel league runs from 5:00 pm until dusk. New shooters are welcome, although it is best if you have some experience…
Join us at the range on June 10 for Basic AR-15 Maintenance and Care/Live Fire. Cleaning, maintenance, lubrication and sighting-in of an AR-15. Bring cleaning materials and ammunition (223/556 factory loads). **Foid Card Required**
**With all of these leagues, you must have your FOID Card with you.**
Join us at the range. We have 12 different ranges, so there is room for everyone.
If you would like a tour of the range, call 815-939-1909 to set up a time. If you like shooting, the ISRA Range is a Five Star Range. We have room for new members.
If you are not near the ISRA Range, check out a range near you and consider joining.
Shooting is the greatest of all sports.
If you are not an ISRA member, join today!
Donate: https://isra.org/support-us/
Visit: www.isra.org
Upcoming meeting: https://isra.org/isra-activities-and-events/
Upcoming Range Events: https://isra.org/the-range/#range-calendar
Kane County Sportsman’s show – St Charles, IL
Kane county fairgrounds
Hours: Sunday: 7:30-1:30
Admission: $7.00
5/21/23 Sunday, May 21, 2023
10/8/23 Sunday, October 8, 2023
All shows are Sunday 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM