April 17, 2025
Litigation Update
On April 4th, our attorney filed a motion in the Seventh Circuit United States Court of Appeals requesting a briefing date for Harrel et al v Raoul et al which is combined with Barnett et al v Raoul et al, as well as other cases, asking the Court to declare the Illinois assault weapons ban (PICA) unconstitutional. On Monday, April 7th, we received the briefing schedule. That means our combined cases are moving forward at last.
Here is there briefing schedule. The State of Illinois brief is due on or before May 5, 2025. Our brief is due June 6th, 2025. The State of Illinois response is due June 27th, 2025. The State of Illinois has one extension left. We expect them to use it to just drag the case out as long as possible. The goal is to get our case heard by the Supreme Court of the United States. We need to get it there as soon as possible. We are pushing as hard as we can.
In the Schoenthal case, which deals with concealed carry on public transportation, is scheduled for oral arguments before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals on May 28th, 2025, at 9;30am.
The Reece et al v Raoul et al case is scheduled for oral arguments on May 13th, 2025, in the State Appellate Court in Ottawa. The Reece case deals with a one week “holiday“ in which firearms on the PICA list could be purchased before the Seventh Circuit overturned Judge McGlynn’s stay. The Illinois State Police have said these firearms cannot be registered or owned.
In the Meyer v Raoul case, which concerns the right of 18, 19 and 20 year olds ability to purchase, own and legally carry firearms, we need to replenish our plaintiffs. When plaintiffs reach 21 years old, they “time out” because they then become eligible for getting their own FOID card and ICCLs. Several courts have ruled that at the age of 18, Second Amendment rights are fully vested. If you or any one you know is willing and able to be a plaintiff in this case, please call our attorney, David Sigal, right away. His number is is 630-452-4547.
As always the Illinois State Rifle Association fights for you. Not a member? join today!
Donate to Legal Assistance HERE!
Legislative Update
The Illinois State Legislature is out of session for the next two weeks. When they are back in session, we will update you with any news.
You can follow along by clicking the ISRA Legislation Page.
Lieutenant Colonel David Grossman at IGOLD, May 14, 2025
Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is an internationally recognized scholar, author, soldier, and speaker who is one of the world’s foremost experts in the field of human aggression and the roots of violence and violent crime.
A West Point psychology professor, Professor of Military Science, and an Army Ranger, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is also the author or co-author of five non-fiction and four fiction books and has co-authored a New York Times best-selling book with Glenn Beck. His books sell world-wide, translated into numerous languages, and have been on required reading lists for the FBI academy, the US Marine Corps Commandant’s Required Reading List and other academies and colleges.
He has presented papers before the national conventions of the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and to over 100 different colleges and universities world wide, and has trained educators and law enforcement professionals, at the federal, state and regional level, in all 50 states and over a dozen foreign nations. Lt. Col. Grossman was also called to the White House to serve on President Trump’s Round Table on Violent Video Games, was an expert witness in numerous cases and has also testified before Congress on three occasions…and this is just a small portion of his impressive, extensive resume.
Needless to say, Lt. Col. Grossman’s depth of knowledge is not only vast, but extremely relevant to the ongoing fight for our Second Amendment rights. His timely presentations are not to be missed! Make sure you save the date to hear him speak at this year’s IGOLD on May 14, 2025 – you’ll be glad you did!
Hopefully, everyone has received their IGOLD mailing. Due to a printing error, the zip code for Chatsworth, IL, was left off. Please add it…60921.
Display Tables Available at IGOLD
Display tables will be available at the Lafayette Convention Center during IGOLD for $100.00 each. If you or your company are interested or need more information, please call the ISRA headquarters at 815-635-3198. We will be glad to sign you up and we take credit cards for your convenience.
Buy 2025 IGOLD Raffle Tickets Online!
CLICK HERE
I want to thank all of those who are entering or donating to the 2025 IGOLD Raffle. Your contributions are critical to protecting the Second Amendment in Illinois. Those who have email will have their raffle tickets emailed to them. Since you are reading this online, I’m sure this includes you. Those who don’t have email will receive them by USPS snail mail. Emailing your tickets to you is faster, more efficient, and less expensive. Every penny we save is one more penny to help us in our epic fight to protect the Second Amendment. Be sure to watch your email.
I hope to see you on Wednesday May 14th at the Bank of Springfield Convention Center
Doors open at 10:30 am. I am really excited to hear Col. Grossman speak. Thank you, again, for supporting the ISRA!
New IGOLD Merchandise in the ISRA Online Store
Come visit the ISRA Online Store to view our new line of IGOLD merchandise. We have new items added every week and, if you have something particular you would like to see available, let us know! We would love to hear your ideas and appreciate your input! Email them to us at: member@isra.org
Visit the ISRA Online Store HERE
Bulletproof – Safety Conference With Lt. Col. Dave Grossman
An exciting event is coming to southern Illinois! We are happy to inform you about the Bulletproof House of Worship Safety Conference being held in Mt. Vernon, IL on April 24-26th. This seminar will host guest speakers with real-life experience of dealing with active shooters in places of worship and on the streets; Over 145 years of law enforcement and well over 1000 safety conferences for houses of worship in more than 40 states across the country.
This is a great opportunity to hear Lt. Col. Dave Grossman speak prior to IGOLD being held on May 14th in Springfield, IL, where he will be the keynote speaker. Click on the photo/flyer below to learn more and/or register for this exciting and unique event!
“I am frequently asked if the ISRA sells our membership list.The answer is absolutely not.” ~ Richard Pearson
Free Digital Addition of “Midwest Outdoors Magazine” for ISRA Members
Beginning in May, for all current members who receive our email, a digital copy of “Midwest Outdoors Magazine” will be available to you for FREE! You will receive an email from them at the beginning of each month with a link to the online magazine. If you were to purchase this, it would be $9.95 per year, but this is just another of the benefits of being an ISRA member. You can always opt out if you care to do so.
Register NOW for ISRA Academy CCL Renewals
Do not miss out on the ISRA Academy featuring CCL renewals each month. Upcoming dates are:
4/27/2025 (Sunday) 9:00pm – 12:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
5/11/2025 (Sunday) 1:00pm – 4:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
5/25/2025 (Sunday) 9:00pm – 12:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
Education & Training @ ISRA Range, Bonfield, IL.
ISRA Range Tour
4/26/2025 (Saturday) 10:00am – 11:30am & 1:00pm – 2:30pm / All Ranges & Clubhouse –
No registration required.
CCL Renewal & Qualification
4/27/2025 (Sunday) 9:00pm – 12:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
5/11/2025 (Sunday) 1:00pm – 4:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
5/25/2025 (Sunday) 9:00pm – 12:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
ISRA Pistol 201 Course
8/23/2025 (Saturday) 8:00am – 5:00pm / Range 8 – Register HERE
NRA Basic Pistol Course
5/24/2025 (Saturday) 8:30am – 6:00pm / Range 6 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
Defensive Shotgun 1 & 2
8/24/2025 (Sunday) 9:00am – 4:00pm / Range 9 – Register HERE
NRA Range Safety Officer Class
5/3/2025 (Saturday) 8:30am – 6:00pm / Range 1 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
*** Please contact academy@isra.org for any training or class questions and check the ISRA Range Calendar HERE for links to dates, times, descriptions of ISRA activities and events.
Important Announcement – IGOLD
The 2025 IGOLD date has been moved to May 14, 2025. This is due to a change in the legislative calendar. I am looking forward to seeing you there.
GET IN THE FIGHT, STAY IN THE FIGHT, JOIN THE ISRA
To Join the ISRA, Go To: https://isra.org/join-us/
The “Shot Heard Around The World” – 250 Year Anniversary
Two hundred and fifty years ago, the sun was about to come up like any other day, but this day would be different. It was April 19,1775. A group of 77 militiamen, gathered on Lexington Green, would face the most powerful military the world had seen. The lumps in their throats had to be the size of watermelons.
Two weeks prior, the patriots learned of a secret surprise attack to seize patriot arms and ammunition which was stored around Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. Also, the British Crown believed Samuel Adams and John Hancock were hiding in the area. The commander of the British regulars in Boston was General Thomas Gage. His wife was Margret (Peggy) Kemble Gage, a New Jersey woman who was loyal to the patriot cause. It is believed that Peggy passed the information about the surprise attack on to patriot leader Dr. Joseph Warren. Joseph Warren was one of the most able of the patriot leaders. Unfortunately, he would be killed two months later at Bunker Hill.
The patriots knew the British Regulars and Royal Marines were going to attack, but they did not know when or whether they would be on foot or move by boat. The plan was to watch the Redcoats’ movements and signal across the inlet to Charlestown, which would allow a rider to be dispatched to warn the patriot militias. They planned to hang lanterns in the Old North Church…”one if by land and two if by sea.” A rider, or riders, could leave from Charlestown, saving miles and precious minutes.
Beginning at between 9pm and 10pm on April 18th, 700 Redcoats moved, by boat, to Cambridge and, from there, marched to Lexington and Concord. The patriots had an intricate system to warn of the Redcoats coming. This consisted of bonfires, bells and trumpets. The system worked so well that people, as far as 25 miles away, knew within minutes that the Redcoats were on the move.
Raising the militia was a far different matter, however. No one shouted “the British are coming”…remember, they were all British. Riders like Paul Revere, William Dawes, a teen-aged girl named Sybil Ludington who rode more than 40 miles during the night, and others, quietly informed patriot leaders to assemble the numerous militia units. The Crown had spies everywhere and they had to be avoided, lest the Redcoats be warned.
Patriot scouts were watching the Redcoats, who had been marching all night. At 4:15am, a scout galloped up to Captain Parker and his 76 militiamen, who were assembled on Lexington Green, and warned them that the Redcoats were very close. Just as the sun was rising, the Redcoats appeared. Both sides just stood there looking at each other. Then someone fired a shot. This single shot became known as the “shot heard around the world”. No one seemed to know who fired the shot. Both the patriots and the Redcoats denied firing it. It is thought it must have come from someone in a tavern close by.
Parker and his militia were facing 100 Redcoats while the rest of the Redcoats were searching for firearms, ammunition, and Samuel Adams and John Hancock. When the shot was fired, Parker’s militiamen suffered 8 killed and several more wounded. They immediately withdrew and the Redcoats marched on to Concord. The Redcoats, assisted by loyalist spies, continued to search for firearms, ammunition, cannons and other military stores that they could appropriate. They were mostly unsuccessful.
By this time, American militia units began to gather at Concord. The Redcoats sent riders to Boston asking for reinforcements. General Gage ordered 1000 more troops to Concord, including more artillery, but it was too late. More than 4000 militiamen had gathered. About 400 militiamen moved to North Bridge, on the then flooded Concord River. The Redcoats were on one side, the American militia on the other. Once again, the order was given to not fire unless the Redcoats fired first. The Redcoats were under the same orders, but one of their nervous soldiers fired a shot. Then two more Redcoats fired at the Americans and the Americans returned fire.
The Redcoats now realized they were outnumbered and began to retreat back to Boston. Joseph Warren gave the order to mounted militiamen to harass the retreating Redcoats. Other militiamen now began sniping at the Redcoats from behind stone walls, trees and any other cover they could find. Some of Captain Parker’s men, who were wounded at Lexington, were bandaged up and returned to the fight. This demonstrated the patriots’ resolve. These attacks on the Redcoats occurred continuously during their entire journey back to Boston.
Some favorite stories include a group of “over-the-hill” militiamen who were well beyond the 60 year old age limit to serve in the militia. The British artillery, which had been ordered to Concord by General Gage, was ambushed by the “old guys” who demanded the artillery units stop. The Redcoats decide to ignore them, much to their detriment. These good old boys killed the lead horses and the sargents. Before it was over, the British troops all either surrendered or ran away. Some of them even threw their muskets in a farm pond. Another similar story is about Samuel Whitmore, a 79 year old who was a captain in the French and Indian War. Whitmore killed three Redcoats and was bayoneted three times, yet still lived until age 98. My kind of guy.
After 41 hours, the exhausted Redcoats made it back to Boston. The next morning, General Gage awoke to find 15,000 American militiamen surrounding Boston. Have a nice day general. See you at Bunker Hill!
“The Shot Heard Around The World” still resounds today. The United States would become a world power, the French Revolution would soon follow and the British Empire would crumble, along with European colonialism. This event gave people around the world the courage to stand up to oppressive governments. Those 77 militiamen had no idea that day the historic events that would ensue because of their resolve and bravery.
It all happened on an April day like no other…..
Other Tidbits
April 18, 1942 – Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle leads 16 B25 bombers on the famous Tokyo Raid. While the bombers did little damage physically, the Japanese government suffered a great loss and prestige. The Raiders were described in the book 30 Seconds Over Tokyo, written by Ted Lawson. Lieutenant Colonel Doolittle received the Medal of Honor for leading the raid.
April 21, 732 BC – The City of Rome was founded by twin brothers, Romulus and Remus, according to legend. Romulus killed his twin brother and eventually had the City of Rome named after him. After all, his brother, Remus, had little to say about it at that point.
Other Events & 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.
May 17 – May 18, 2025 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee Co. Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL.
June 6 – June 8, 2025 Pecatonica Gun Show, Winnebago County Fairgrounds, Pecatonica, IL.
Sept 27 – Sept 28, 2025 Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club House, Chillicothe, IL.
Oct 12, 2025 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL.
Oct 25 – Oct 26, 2025 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.
Nov 1, 2025 Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL.
Nov 9, 2025 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL.
Nov 29 – Nov 30, 2025 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.
Dec 6 – Dec 7, 2025 Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sprotsmen’s Club House, Chillicothe, IL.
Dec 14, 2025 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL.
ISRA Grassroots Monthly Meetings
Come and meet fellow activists and learn the latest on protecting our Second Amendment Rights!
Northwest Suburban – 3rd Tues – Golden Corral, 1591 S. Randall Rd., Algonquin, IL; Doors open 6pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm
South Suburban/Cook County – 2nd Thurs – Kenootz Pizza, 4659 147th St., Midlothian, IL; Doors open 6:30pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm
Will County – 3rd Wed – Silver Dollar Restaurant, 422 E. Mississippi Ave., Elwood, IL; Doors open 6pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm
Livingston County – 4th Saturday of the month – South Post Guns, 104 Livingston Rd., Streator, IL; Social Hour 4:30pm – 5:30pm; Meeting 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Stand Strong &
Thank you for being a member!
If you are not an ISRA member, join today
Donate: https://isra.org/support-us/
Upcoming Meetings: https://isra.org/isra-activities-and-events/
Upcoming Range Events: https://isra.org/the-range/#range-calendar