August 10, 2023
The days are starting to get noticeably shorter. If you do much driving, you can see the trees starting to get greater and greater variations in color, with greens beginning to start to turn yellow. Fall is just around the corner…
Now is the time to get ready for hunting season. I have checked a few stores and they have deer slugs on the shelf. Now is the time to buy. Most stores have a limit as to how many you can buy. I would get them before they are gone.
There are a variety of new hunting loads for the fall 2023 hunting season. I would spend some time and check them out. With the use of straight walled cartridges being legal in Illinois, these cartridges may be an excellent choice for new hunters. The Remington 360 Buckhammer and the Winchester 350 Legend may offer less recoil for some hunters. They are worth checking out. Winchester has a new 400 Legend, but I do not know the availability for the fall 2023 hunting season. Like anything else that has more power, it will have more felt recoil. I have noticed a few new shot loads for waterfowl hunters and upland game hunters. More about these new loads next week. You will need to look them over and find what is best for you and where you hunt.
I have found that you can have the best gun and the best ammunition, but it you don’t practice they don’t matter very much. Everyone needs to spend time at the range or shooting trap, skeet or sporting clays to sharpen their shooting skills. Plan on going to the range several times, not just once. It is better to shoot 10 boxes of shells in 10 different practice sessions, than to shoot 10 boxes of shells in one practice session. Now is the time to start.
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On Monday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed and remanded the Vivian Brown case, which could decide the constitutionality of the FOID Card. The ISRA has long awaited a case that could decide this issue. If you will recall, the Brown case began six years ago. Vivian Claudine Brown is a frail lady who was afraid of being attacked by a former domestic partner. Ms. Brown obtained a single shot .22 rifle to defend herself. She did not have a FOID Card. Someone turned in Ms. Brown knowing she did not have a FOID card. The police came to her house and arrested Ms. Brown and charged her with unlawful use of a weapon. Ms. Brown was represented by a Public Defender who argued her case in White County on constitutional grounds. The White County Judge agreed. The State of Illinois appealed the case. Because the case dealt with a civil rights issue, it went directly to the Illinois Supreme Court. The Court remanded the case back to White County twice stating that common law and constitutional issues were mixed together. Those issues are now separated. Finally, the Brown case made it to the Fifth Circuit in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. They remanded the case and now the issue of the constitutionality of the FOID card can be argued.
The Public Defender cannot argue Ms. Browns case beyond White County. The ISRA and the Second Amendment Foundation have argued and paid for the case on Ms. Brown’s behalf. This is one of the many reasons you should be an ISRA member!
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The State of Colorado passed a law in the Spring Session that raised the age to purchase a firearm from 18, 19 or 20, to 21. Some courts have held that a person’s civil rights are vested at age 18. The Rocky Mountain Gun Owners asked the court to enjoin the State of Colorado from enforcing the new law. The Court has issued a Temporary Restraining Order against the State of Colorado. This case will undoubtedly move up the line.
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Fox News has reported Congressmen Dan Beyer (D-VA) and several other Democrats are going to propose a 1000 percent excise tax on so-called “assault weapons and magazines”. This means your $500 AR-15 will cost $5000 and you $30 magazines will cost $300. The power to tax is the power to destroy. One of the grievances against Great Britain was taxation without representation. It turns out taxation with representation isn’t such a hot idea either.
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The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Texas issued a stay on the ATF rule on unfinished frames and receivers in the VanDerStok v Garland lawsuit. Theses frames and receivers are used by hobbyists to build their own firearms. Now the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has overturned that stay in a 5 to 4 decision. While disappointing, this lawsuit is far from over. The Fifth Circuit can still hear the entire case and rule on the merits. Most people are guessing the Fifth Circuit will rule on the side of the plaintiffs. I am sure that this case will be heard by SCOTUS in the end.
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Our 120th Anniversary Coin is available for $25 while they last. Buy our commemorative, collector’s coin and be entered in the raffle. Your contribution helps fund the many activities of the ISRA. Call the office at (815) 635-3198, or email: member@isra.org to place your order today!
Last chance: Order must be received by Aug 16, or by phone only.
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August 10, 1846
President James Polk signs the Smithsonian Act. The Smithsonian is named after James Smithson of Great Britain. Smithson was not well known but he had done yeoman work. As early as age 22 he had discovered zinc carbonate which was named Smithsonite in his honor. His research was in mineralogy, geology, and chemistry.
In his will, Smithson left his money, research papers and mineral collection to his nephew, but only if his nephew had a child or children. Neither Smithson nor his nephew had children. If the nephew had no children, he left the money to the United States of America for the establishment of the Smithsonian Institution for the increase in the diffusion of knowledge.
In 1836, it was determined that upon the death of Smithson’s nephew the money belonged to the United States. President Andrew Jackson sent Richard Rush to negotiate the transfer of funds. Rush brought back 11 boxes containing 104,960 gold sovereigns, 8 schillings and 7 pence, plus Smithson’s personal papers, mineral collection, and other personal effects. When the gold was melted down it was worth over $500,000, a handsome sum in 1836. The Smithsonian Institution is not only the original castle building but also includes the National Museum of Natural History, the National Zoological Park, National Portrait Gallery, and the National Air and Space Museum.
Smithson’s body was transferred to the Smithsonian and is interred there. I am sure he is overseeing all the many aspects of the Institution that bears his name.
When Smithson left his money to the United States, it caused quite a stir both here and in Europe. James Smithson had never visited the United States.
August 11, 1973
The movie “American Graffiti” opens in theaters across the nation. This is a nostalgic view of coming of age in 1960s America. I can relate to this film because I was there – so to speak.
August 12,1990
The skeleton of the largest Tyrannosaurus Rex is discovered by fossil hunter Susan Hendrickson near Faith, South Dakota. The supposed landowner offered the fossil to the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research for $5000. The problem was that Maurice Williams, the supposed landowner gave the land where the fossil of the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex was found, to the Sioux River Cheyenne tribe, so he did not have to pay the taxes on the land. After the lawsuits were settled, the ownership of the 65-million-year-old T-Rex was sold at auction to the Field Museum in Chicago, for 8.36 million dollars.
Nicknamed Sue, the T-Rex was something you didn’t want to meet in a dark alley even in Chicago. Sue’s skull weighs 2000 pounds all by itself. The top of her hips are 13 feet high, and she is 42 feet long. To give you an idea, a highway overpass has to be at least 13 feet, six inches high. Sue was 90 percent intact when she was discovered. She and other dinosaurs had a wish bone, like modern day birds. So, it is theorized that birds are descendants of dinosaurs. The skulls of birds are also similar to dinosaurs. We often think of dinosaurs as being kind of greenish grey creatures, but that may not be true. Scales evolved into feathers. Birds are colorful. So too, might have been dinosaurs.
The geological period known as the Cretaceous Period is when Sue lived. The climate changed and so did the living things at that time. Climate change happens every day and has for about the last
13.4 billion years.
August 13, 1948
The biggest day for the Berlin Airlift.
The Soviet Union had cut off Berlin, Germany by rail and by road. Berlin had been divided into 4 sectors, controlled by the United States, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union. Joseph Stalin did not want the people in his sector to see how much better the people in other sectors were living. Joseph Stalin was trying to take all of Berlin. The people of Berlin were starving. The United States and Great Britain decided to fly enough food and other supplies to Berlin to keep them going. On this day, the Berlin Airlift flew over 700 flights into Berlin carrying more than 5000 tons of supplies, including everything from flour to coal. Joseph Stalin gave up after 11 months.
One of the local guys in the American Legion in Chatsworth, was a mechanic on C-47s and C-54s. They worked around the clock to keep those planes in the air.
August 14, 1784
The Russians establish the first permanent Russian settlement in Alaska.
August 15, 1780
Francis Marion, the “Swamp Fox”, routs British loyalists in South Carolina. Mel Gibson’s role in the movie “The Patriot”, is loosely based on the exploits of Francis Marion.
August 16, 1896
George Carmack along with two Native Americans Skookum Jim and Tagish Charlie, find gold while fishing in Rabbit Creek in the Canadian Yukon. In the next two years 50,000 gold seekers from the United States, Canada and all parts of the world, descend on Alaska and the Yukon. The gold rush became known as Klondike Fever. One of those gold seekers was a 21-year-old by the name of Jack London who became famous for writing short stories about the time.
August 18, 1940
The Battle of Britain’s toughest day.
The outnumbered British defended against the German Luftwaffe. On this day, the Luftwaffe flew 850 sorties, using 2,200 air crews. The British fought back with 927 sorties, but only used 600 air crews. While it was a draw on this day, the Germans were bleeding to death because they were losing so many aircrews and aircraft. Herman Goring and Adolph Hitler decided to attack cities and punish the British people. The Germans were within a few days of wiping out the British Royal Air Force but stopped in time for the British to recover, with more planes and pilots. By October, the German Luftwaffe stopped bombing British cities.
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Cost is $30 ($15 for targets; $15 for ISRA donation). Hamburger soup and homemade bread, provided by Big Jack! Prizes & split-the-pot raffles. The ISRA would like to thank Jack Miller and X-Line for this help!
X-Line Shotgun Club is located east of Kankakee, Illinois. The address is 4800 East Exline Road, Kankakee, IL 60921.
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For every person concerned about self-defense,
concealed carry license holders, and concealed carry instructors.
Please click here for details on how to sign up.
ISRA Smallbore & F-Class Rifle League – Range 5 – 2:00-Dusk August 10
Women’s Team Pistol Practice – Range 1 – 4:00-7:00 August 10
2023 Illinois State Outdoor Precision Pistol Championship – Range 1, 2, Pavilion – 7:00-5:00 – August 12
ISRA Marksmanship League – Range 11 – 8:30-12:00 – August 13
2023 Illinois State Outdoor Precision Pistol Championship – Range 1, 2, Pavilion – 7:00-5:00 – August 13
Vintage Military Rifle League – Range 5 – 3:00-5:00 – August 14
Tuesday Night Irregular Rifles – Range 3 & Pavilion – 11:30-Dusk – August 15
Benchrest League – Range 4 – 8:00-Dusk – August 16
F-Class Rifle League – Range 3 – 8:00-5:00 – August 16
Paper Steel League – Range 11 – 5:00-Dusk – August 16
Interested in joining a league? Just show up 15 – 30 minutes early.
Thank you for being a member!
If you are not an ISRA member, join today!
Donate: https://isra.org/support-us/
Visit: www.isra.org
Upcoming Meetings: https://isra.org/isra-activities-and-events/
Upcoming Range Events: https://isra.org/the-range/#range-calendar
August 12 – 13 Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, Interstate Center, Bloomington
August 26 – 27 Belleville Gun & Knife Show, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville
August 27 Lake County Gun & Sportsman Show, Antioch VFW, Antioch
September 16 – 17 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee County Fairgrounds
September 17 McHenry County Gun Show, McHenry County Fairgrounds, Woodstock
September 23 National Civil War and Collector Arms Show, DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton
September 23 Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club, Chillicothe
Sept. 30 – Oct. 1 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Assoc. Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin
October 8 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles
October 22 McHenry County Gun Show, McHenry County Fairgrounds, Woodstock
October 28 – 29 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton
November 4 – 5 Decatur Gun & Knife Show, Decatur Conference Center, Decatur
November 4 – 5 ECA Hunting & Trade Shows, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville
November 4 – 5 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee County Fairgrounds
November 12 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles
November 19 McHenry County Gun Show, McHenry County Fairgrounds, Woodstock
November 25 – November 26 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin
November 25 – 26 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton