April 9, 2026
Thursday Bulletin – April 9, 2026
Executive Director’s Message
Richard Pearson
Get Ready For IGOLD 2026!
We are coming down to the wire on our 2026 IGOLD event. The big news is we have an additional speaker, Darren Bailey. Mr. Bailey is a staunch Second Amendment supporter, ISRA Life Member, former State Representative and former State Senator. Mr. Bailey will be giving his views on the Second Amendment in Illinois and how we can expand and protect our gun rights. Our special guest speaker will be the renowned self-defense attorney Dave McDermott. Mr. McDermott has never lost a self-defense shooting case. This year we are excited to offer such great informative speakers. Don’t miss it.
I am also often asked why we have IGOLD on a Wednesday and not some other day of the week. The answer is that the legislature has to be there on certain Wednesdays. Therefore, IGOLD is timed around deadlines in the Illinois General Assembly. This year IGOLD is on April 15, 2026 and April 17, 2026, is the third reading deadline for both the House of Representatives and Senate. We want as many people there as possible just before this critical deadline. We also want the viewing public and the press to see as many people there as possible during the legislative session.
In addition, I get calls stating some legislators may not be there. For legislators not to be there before a deadline is difficult. There are always a million things going on in Springfield and to schedule around them is nearly impossible. We have to schedule IGOLD a year in advance, even though the Legislative calendar does not come out until December. Unfortunately, we just have to pick a date and go with it. That’s why we need you in Springfield on April 15th!
See you at IGOLD!
We’re Ready… Are YOU?
The Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day (IGOLD) will be held at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield, Illinois, on April 15, 2026. Doors open at 10:00 AM. This is your opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with thousands of law-abiding gun owners and send a clear message to lawmakers:
WE WILL DEFEND OUR RIGHTS.
This year matters more than ever. We are behind enemy lines. There is no question about that. When you are behind enemy lines, all like-minded groups must stick together. This includes gun rights groups, hunters, gun collectors, gun shops, gun clubs, shooting ranges, FFLs, manufacturers and YOU.
The so-called “Responsibility in Firearm Legislation” Act (RIFL Act), a bill under consideration in the Illinois House and Senate, would eliminate the sales of new firearms in Illinois by establishing an over-the-top licensing fee for manufacturers to be able to sell firearms to retailers (FFLs) in Illinois. The RIFL Act is the anti-gunner’s dream. If this legislation were to pass, no manufacturer would participate in this scheme. No manufacturers means no merchandise, no more retailers, no more firearms sales. Remember when they said that they are not against hunters, shooting clubs, individual law-abiding gun owners? Well, that was all a lie, all along. That is why IGOLD is so important this year and your participation is crucial!
Remember what Benjamin Franklin said (attributed to him during the signing of the Declaration of Independence): “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”
IGOLD began in the early 1990’s as Illinois State Rifle Association Lobby Day, and became IGOLD, Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day, with input and assistance from other gun groups in Illinois. The goal was to put a face on Illinois gun owners. In 2013, more than 8,200 gun owners filled Springfield. One early attendee was Otis McDonald, whose US Supreme Court case, McDonald v Chicago, changed the nation, and helped pave the way for Illinois Conceal Carry. IGOLD proves what happens when we stand together.
Let’s pack the Bank of Springfield Center.
Set up carpools. Organize your club. Sponsor a bus. Bring family and friends.
Politicians notice numbers. The media notices numbers. And numbers send a message.
We will support those who support our rights. We will oppose those who don’t. And we will never apologize for exercising the freedoms guaranteed to us.
Mark your calendar for April 15, 2026.
Doors open at 10:00 AM.
Springfield, Illinois.
The ISRA will be sponsoring a bus for Southern Illinois. The pickup site will be at the Dairy Queen parking lot, 816 Lehmen Dr., Chester IL 62233. The bus will arrive at 7:00 am and depart for Springfield at 7:15 am. The cost per seat is $30. Please contact Rick Hall at 618-317-1176 to reserve your seat.
This will be the most important IGOLD ever, Don’t Miss It!
We teach safety. We stand for freedom. We never back down.
See you in Springfield!
To Join or Renew Your ISRA Membership, CLICK HERE.
Legislative Update
The Illinois Legislature is out of session for the holiday. They reconvene on 4-14-26.
Here is a list of the bills that the ISRA is supporting. Please CLICK HERE.
The ISRA maintains a list of the most important bills under consideration in the Illinois State Legislature; the most current list is always on the ISRA Legislation Page. Click and follow along!
You can find the House calendar HERE and the Senate calendar HERE to view all the legislative session deadlines.
Thank you for your support and I will see you at the Illinois Gun Owner’s Lobby Day (IGOLD) on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
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.
Litigation Update
I regret to inform you that the Supreme Court of the United States has denied cert in our Schoenthal v Raoul lawsuit. In short, they will not hear the case. The Schoenthal vs. Raoul lawsuit challenged the ban on qualified concealed carry licensees to carry on public transportation. The malarkey argument is that public transportation is full of “vulnerable” people and is “sensitive” place. It seems to be okay that people on public transportation, platforms and parking lots are routinely robbed, attacked, molested and murdered. I’m sure two-or-three-armed citizens on each car or bus would be a deterrent and such activities would largely cease in short order but that doesn’t seem to matter. The court has just given its seal of approval to the criminals.
We are still waiting to see if the U.S. Supreme Court will take up the Viramontes vs. Cook County Semi-Auto Ban Case. And we are waiting on a decision from the Seventh Circuit on the PICA Law which bans semi-auto firearms in Illinois. Waiting, waiting, waiting.
To follow the cases the ISRA is tracking, visit the ISRA Litigation page – CLICK HERE.
NRA Board of Directors Results
The NRA election results are in and for the first time that I know of there are three board members from Illinois. They are Richard Fairburn of Canton, Todd Vandermyde of Yorkville and Lynn Gipson of Athens. All very able people. I have looked over the entire list of electees and several of those are ISRA members. I look forward to progress within the NRA.
“Money can only buy happiness if you spend it on freedom. Join the ISRA today.” ~ Richard Pearson
IGOLD Expert Grade M1 Garand Raffle
9 Additional prizes include Glock 43 MOS (3), Glock 42 MOS (1), pistol cases (3), and rifle cases (2)!
Ticket prices:
3 Tickets – $30
7 Tickets – $50
15 Tickets – $100
40 Tickets – $250 85 Tickets – $500
For more Information, CLICK HERE.
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 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.
NOTICE: Kevin Kanaski – Mag 20 Class Coming up in May!
(See the ISRA Academy Section above for more info)
*Every Thursday (unless otherwise noted) ISRA Precision Air Pistol Training – Range 12 & Clubhouse – 5:30pm – 7:00pm
April 12 (Sunday) Basic CCL – Range 9 – 1:00pm – 5:00pm
April 12 (Sunday) CCL Renewal & Qualification – Range 11 & Clubhouse – 1:00pm – 4:00pm
April 25 (Saturday) CCL Renewal – Range 11 & Clubhouse – 1:00pm – 4:30pm
April 26 (Sunday) Fortress Defense Consultants – Emergency Treatment of Gunshot Wounds – Range 9 – 9:00am – 5:00pm
May 2 (Saturday) Range Work Day – 8:00am – 4:00pm
May 2 & 3 (Saturday & Sunday) Kevin Kanaski – MAG20 – Range 8 & Clubhouse – 9:00am – 5:30
June 12 – 14 (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) David Maglio – MAG30 – Range 11 – 8:00am – 6:00
August 20 – 23 (Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun) Massad Ayoob – MAG40 – World Shooting & Recreational Complex – 8:30am – 7:00
August 26 – 30 (Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun) Massad Ayoob – MAG80 – ISRA Range, Bonfield (more info TBA)
*** Please contact academy@isra.org for any training or class questions and check the ISRA Range for links to dates, times, descriptions of ISRA activities and events.
ISRA Members: To view the
Illinois Shooter – Winter 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
Tidbits
April 9, 1974 – Hank Aaron breaks Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record by hitting his 715th home run.
April 10, 1849 – Walter Hunt, a mechanic and inventor from New York, creates the safety pin. Hunt sold the invention for $400. Others companies made and sold Hunt’s safety pins and babies everywhere rejoiced. Walter Hunt went on to invent a repeating rifle, a flax spinner, a fountain pen, an ice plow, and one of the world’s first sewing machines.
April 10, 1942 – The “Bataan Death March” begins. The “march” included 75,000 American and Filipino troops. The prisoners were reported to have marched 85 miles in six days with only one meal of rice during the entire journey. By the end of the march, Japanese guards had killed hundreds of Americans and Filipinos.
In my first year of teaching, I taught with one of those soldiers who had survived the death march. Aside from the physical scars incurred during this horrendous event, he had a stutter that remained with him for the rest of his life.
April 11, 1898 – President William McKinley asks Congress for a Declaration of War against Spain. The Spanish military, known for their cruelty, immediately established concentration camps in Cuba where over 100,000 Cuban civilians died.
April 12, 1861 – Confederate batteries open fire on Fort Sumter, South Carolina, in Charleston Harbor. In the next 24 hours, 50 Confederate guns and mortars launch more than 4000 rounds against Fort Sumter. Two days later, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation to recruit 75,000 volunteers to quell the revolt. The Civil War was on.
April 12, 1954 – Bill Haley and the Comets record the song “Rock Around The Clock”. The next year, the song was played in the movie “Blackboard Jungle”. It became an overnight sensation and rock ‘n’ roll was here to stay.
April 12, 1990 – The Soviet government officially accepts blame for the Katyn Massacre in which 5000 Polish military officers were murdered and buried in a mass grave. The massacre occurred in 1940 and gutted the leadership of the country of Poland.
April 14, 1865 – Assassin and actor, John Wilkes Booth, shoots President Abraham Lincoln in the head during a performance of “Our American Cousin” at Ford’s Theater. Booth succeeded in escaping despite suffering a broken leg after jumping from Lincoln’s private theater box onto the stage. President Abraham Lincoln died at 7:22am the next morning.
April 14, 1910 – President William Howard Taft became the first president to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at a major league baseball game.
April 15, 1881 – Bat Masterson, the famed western lawman, fought his last gun fight. Masterson, who lived in both Clay and Iroquois counties in Illinois for some time during his youth, eventually left home with his brothers, intent on becoming a buffalo hunters. He was also an army scout in the Indian Wars. Eventually, in 1881, Masterson arrived in Dodge City, Kansas, where he was met by A.J. Peacock and Al Updegraff, who had dealings with Bat’s brother, Jim. Bat called the two men out and a gun fight ensued. Updegraff took a bullet in his right lung and a bystander was also injured, but both recovered. Masterson was fined $8 for the incident.
Bat Masterson spent the next 40 years working as a sheriff and operating saloons in the West. He eventually became a newspaper man in New York City.
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.
April 18 – April 19, 2026 Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club House, Chillicothe, IL.
April 18, 2026 National Civil War, Military, and Collector Arms Show, DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton, IL.
April 19, 2026 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St Charles, IL.
May 16 – May 17, 2026 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee County Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL.
June 19 – June 21, 2026 Pecatonica Gun Show, Winnebago County Fairgrounds, Pecatonica, IL.
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.
Dec. 6 – Dec. 7, 2026 Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club House, Chillicothe, IL.
Other Events
April 11, 2026 – Sandy Ford International Pistol Event, Sandy Ford Sportsman Club Indoor Range, 720 S Bloomington St, Streator, IL.
ISRA Town Hall Monthly Meetings
Come and meet fellow activists and learn the latest on protecting our Second Amendment Rights!
Livingston County – 4th Tuesday of the month – South Post Guns, 104 Livingston Rd., Streator, IL; Social half-hour from 6:00pm – 6:30pm; Meeting at 6:30pm.
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 – 3rd Tuesday of the month – Golden Corral, 1591 S Randall Rd., Algonquin, IL; Doors open 6pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm
South Suburban/Cook County – 2nd Thursday of the month – New Location: Papa Joe’s Italian Restaurant, 14459 LaGrange Rd, Orland Park, 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
Stand Strong &
Thank you for being a member!
Thursday Bulletin – April 9, 2026
Executive Director’s Message
Richard Pearson
Richard Pearson
Stand Strong &
Thank you for being a member!
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