September 29, 2022
September is slipping away and the Midterm Elections are rapidly approaching. The Midterms are only 40 days away. There are a lot of elections that are far from being decided. People usually make up their minds the last two or three weeks before the elections. Remember to vote for the best Second Amendment candidate that can get elected. My standard admonition is to stop looking for the perfect candidate because they don’t exist in the real world. Look for candidate endorsements to come out soon.
Congratulations to the Firearms Policy Coalition for their victory in Delaware in the Rigby v. Jennings lawsuit. In short, the Federal District Court struck down Delaware’s ban on self-manufacturing and possession of home built firearms. The court held that the Second Amendment implies the right to manufacture a firearm. While I am happy with the ruling, I imagine we have a long way to go. This ruling will have to be upheld by the United States Supreme Court before it has precedent.
One last reminder that the Civilian Marksmanship Program and the United States Army Marksmanship Unit will be presenting Pistol Marksmanship 101 on Saturday, October 1st and Rifle Marksmanship 101 on Saturday and Sunday, October 1st and 2nd. There is still room available in both classes. I have been informed that they will take walk-ins. Participants will need to arrive by 7:30am. Illinois residents will need a FOID card. Lunch will be available from 11:00am to 1:00pm each day.
On October 8th, the ISRA State Muzzleloading Championship will be held at the ISRA Range in Bonfield, Illinois. There is still room available. If you would like to enter, please call the office.
On Saturday, October 15th, the ISRA will hold our Annual Sighting-in-Day at the ISRA Range in Bonfield, Illinois, which is just west of Kankakee. Sighting-in-Day was originally designed for deer and upland game hunters. It still is but because of the number of new firearm owners in the state of Illinois, we have expanded it to those who have a new firearm and would like to shoot it. This is not an in-depth class; it is just basic safety and firearm operation specific to your firearm. The cost is $10 per gun. You will need to bring at least 25 rounds of ammunition with you. The ISRA does not sell ammunition or firearms. Firearms must be unloaded and cased. Illinois residents must have their Firearm Owner Identification Card (FOID card) with them. The hours are from 10am to 3pm. I would arrive by 2:30pm.
Every once in a while, a bittersweet moment pops up in our lives that rises above the useless noise that is going on in the world right now. On Monday of this week, the residents of Livingston County, Illinois, were notified that a World War II veteran who had been missing for 80 years was at last coming home. PFC John Lewis Ferguson of Flanagan, Illinois, has been returned to us. Mr. Ferguson had died in the Japanese Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp in the Philippines on December 10,1942. He had survived the Bataan Death March. For those who don’t know, the American and Filipino prisoners were forced to march 65 miles without food or water. If they collapsed during the Death March, they were shot or bayoneted to death on the spot. Filipino citizens who tried to give the prisoners food or water were also shot, bayoneted, or beaten to death. PFC Ferguson was sent to Cabanatuan after the death march. I don’t know why or how he died. American and Filipino prisoners were tortured, starved, and beaten. However he died, I’m sure it was painful. There were no medical facilities for POWs.
On Tuesday, the remains of PFC Ferguson were brought by plane to O’Hare Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Illinois State Police, Rolling Thunder, Patriot Riders, and Combat Veterans MA escorted PFC Ferguson to the Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home in Pontiac, Illinois. This Saturday, October 1st, the funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 12:30pm and proceed south on Old Route 66 to Route 116 going west to Flanagan, Illinois. There will be a graveside service at 2:00pm at the Gridley Cemetery. All are invited to view the funeral procession. I would bring an American flag of reasonable size.
In 1945, Japan was losing the war. All prisoners in Cabanatuan were to be executed before the Japanese moved out. The movie “The Great Raid” tells the story of Army Rangers and Filipino Troops who rescued the prisoners. It is worth watching.
I have had reports of FBI Agents knocking on doors of people who have purchased trigger assemblies which the BATF considers a violation the National Firearms Act. They have been asking for the triggers and have issued receipts to the owners. I am sure this may end up in court but for now, I suggest you cooperate if you own one or more of these triggers. If you have considered purchasing one of these items, I suggest you put it off until the court rules one way or the other.
I know many people are interested in the final ruling on Arm Stabilizing Brace by the BATF. The BATF has flip flopped all over the place on this ruling. The Second Amendment Foundation, Rainier Arms, and two individuals filed suit in the Northern District of Texas to get a court ruling on this matter. On Wednesday, I learned there will be a status hearing on this case on December 28, 2022. It is possible there will be some resolution in the mater on that date. I would say this is more of a hope than a certain thing. I any case, that is where we are now.
The waiting period to purchase a firearm in California is a ridiculous 10 days if you are a law-abiding citizen. If you are a drug dealer, gang banger, thug, or a whole list of miscreants, there is no waiting period. A woman in Stanislaus County, who was undoubtedly worried about what was going on around her, decided to purchase a new revolver. Finally, the waiting period passed and on Friday she picked up her new gun. Saturday night, just a day after she purchased her new gun, she heard a commotion in her living room. She came out to find some stranger had broken through the front door and was fighting with her husband. She retrieved the gun from her bedroom and emptied the revolver into the intruder. It was a clear case of self-defense and the intruder had a serious case of DRT (Dead Right There). Shockingly, the intruder had a history of this type of behavior but was, of course, let free to do it again. I am guessing this was his last adventure. Another happy ending.
Hurricane Ian is still blasting Florida as I write this. While this storm is troublesome, it shows what Americans are made of. It is amazing the resources that have been brought together to get Florida up and running again. All week they have had reports of people seeing line crews heading to Florida. Right now, there are 50,000 line crews in or ready to move into devastated areas of Florida. There are also First Responders both local and national ready to help Floridians as soon as possible. No other country could do this. I am proud of them all and very proud to be an American. For those who don’t like America, this is what being a country is all about, not wallowing in stupid debates, or about signs on bathroom doors, or some other dribble. I suggest to all those who don’t like the United States to book first class accommodations on the next garbage scow bound for Europe, Africa, or Asia. Those are perfect places for you. I think you would be happy there. I know I will be happy you are there.
This weekend, the Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC) will be held in Dallas, Texas. I will not be able to attend as I am still in recovery from surgery on a quadricep tendon and can’t navigate airports. This is the best meeting a Second Amendment advocate can attend. The GRPC will be on YouTube and Facebook if you can tune in.
The 119th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Raffle is about halfway completed. This is our primary fund raiser of the year so please participate. As I have mentioned, I believe this is the most beautiful coin we have ever offered. Don’t forget, you will be entered into a raffle with 119 great prizes!
Tidbits:
September 29, 1899 – The Veterans of Foreign Wars is founded after the Spanish American War. It was an amalgamation of several veterans’ groups.
September 29, 1918 – Allied forces break through the German Hindenburg line. The offensive attack was driven by American and Australian troops.
September 30, 1927 – Babe Ruth hits his 60th home run. Ruth was one of eight children but only he and one sister survived.
October 1, 1903 – Pittsburg beats Boston in the first game of the new World Series. The score was Pittsburgh 7; Boston 3.
October 2, 1835 – Mexican soldiers try to disarm the people of Gonzales and take their cannon. The Texans were having none of it.
October 3,1863 – Abraham Lincoln announces the nation will celebrate a day of Thanksgiving on November 26, 1863. Thanksgiving was actually celebrated because of the Union victory at Gettysburg the previous July. The idea was William Seward’s.
October 4, 1927 – Work begins on Mount Rushmore. It took 12 years to complete.
October 5, 1892 – Having had enough of the Dalton Gang, the citizens of Coffeyville, Kansas, kill 4 of the 5 gang members. Emmett Dalton survived and spent 14 years in prison. Armed citizens at work.
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Visit www.isra.org
Upcoming Events:
Friday, September 30 – Sunday, October 2, 2022
CMP Small Arms Firing Class
Saturday, October 1, 2022
ISRA Steel Challenge
Sunday, October 2, 2022
Bonfield Muzzle Loaders
ISRA 3Gun
Tuesday, October 4 & 11, 2022
Tuesday Night Irregular Rifles
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
F-Class League
Benchrest League
Paper Steel League
Thursday, October 6, 2022
IDNR Hunter Safety Class
Saturday, October 8, 2022
Muzzleloading Championships
IDNR Hunter Safety Course
Sunday, October 9, 2022
Marksmanship League and Lunch
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
F-Class League
Paper Steel League
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Sighting-In-Day
Sunday, October 16, 2022
Handgun Drills
ISRA Academy RSO Class
Gun & Trade Shows
Central Illinois Gun Collectors New Berlin Gun Show – New Berlin, IL
Sangamon County Fairgrounds
Dates: October 1 & 2, 2022
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-4:00
Sunday: 9:00-2:00
Admission: $5.00
Villa Park VFW Gun Show – Villa Park, IL
Villa Park VFW
Date: October 8, 2022
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-2:00
Admission: $5.00
Belleville Gun & Knife Show – Belleville, IL
Belleville Fairgrounds
Dates: October 8 & 9, 2022
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-4:00
Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $8.00 ($10.00 for both days)
Kane County Sportsman’s Show – St. Charles, IL
Kane County Fairgrounds
Date: October 9, 2022
Hours: Sunday: 7:30-1:30
Admission: $7.00
McHenry County Gun Show – Woodstock, IL
McHenry County Fairgrounds
Date: October 15, 2022
Hours: Saturday: 7:30-1:00
Admission: $5.00