August 6, 2026
Thursday Bulletin – August 6, 2026
Executive Director’s Message
Richard Pearson
A Brief History Of The Winchester Junior Rifle Corps
President Theodore Roosevelt established the National Matches and the Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice in the Appropriations Act of 1903. The Appropriations Act also established the idea of state associations to promote marksmanship. The purpose of those associations was to train civilians in marksmanship prior to service in the United States Army.
The Illinois State Rifle Association was formed almost immediately thereafter, making it the first, or one of the first, associations formed. When Roosevelt was forming the First United States Volunteer Cavalry in 1898, he discovered that the best marksmen were in the civilian population, not the United States military. His goal was to enshrine principles of marksmanship in civilian groups, not the military. It worked.
Excellent marksmanship is not a skill learned in a few hours—it is developed over years of practice. The same is true for teaching marksmanship skills.
The Winchester Repeating Arms Company also stepped up. After the Spanish-American War, a renewed interest in marksmanship spread throughout the country, especially among young people. In 1899, Winchester designed and patented the .22-caliber Model 1900. It was a simple single-shot, bolt-action rifle with a 12¾-inch length of pull to fit boys and girls. The Model 1900 was updated with the Model 1904 and Model 1906 rifles. These rifles were used until the program ended in 1931.
In 1906, shortly after the passage of the Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice, Winchester also produced a kit that came with their Model 1900 rifle. The kit contained four boxes of .22 ammunition, gun lubricant, and targets. Just as important, it included a return card enabling recipients to join the Winchester Junior Rifle Corps (W.J.R.C.). The program limped along until 1918, but, at the end of World War I, the need, necessity, and desire for marksmanship swept the country.
Winchester then redesigned and reinvigorated the Winchester Junior Rifle Corps at the urging of several former military men who worked for Winchester. Now, not only did the rifle come in a box with ammunition, targets, and gun lubricants, it also came with a belt buckle, a cleaning rod, an official W.J.R.C. certificate, and, most importantly, a program to improve your marksmanship skills, complete with an awards program. Winchester promoted the W.J.R.C. with advertising in national magazines and through its 6,500 official Winchester stores throughout the United States and other countries. The first member of the new W.J.R.C. was Ruth L. Russel of New Haven, Connecticut. Boys and girls under 18 years old could join and compete on an equal basis. Participants sent their targets into Winchester and received their awards back. The levels were Pro-marksman, Marksman, Sharpshooter, and the coveted Expert Riflemen Medal. To get the Expert Riflemen Medal and certificate, the shooter had to submit 100 perfect targets. There were also contests for who could shoot the most “bulls-eyes” in a row. One young man from Ohio had the most ever with 1,785. Winchester also provided instructor materials and a newspaper to participants, with articles and the names of everyone who had achieved Expert Riflemen medals.
Winchester was all in on the W.J.R.C. Program. At the program’s height in the mid-1920s, there were over 100,000 participants and a special W.J.R.C. Match at the National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio. In the early 1920s, Winchester offered its remaining Model 1885 Low Wall target rifles to club members for $15.00 each, which was $7.34 below production cost.
When the Great Depression hit, it also hit Winchester. The W.J.R.C. came to an end in 1931. The good news was that the National Rifle Association of America picked up the program and it still exists today. There are a few W.J.R.C. sets that come available every once in a while. I have some original targets in my rather eclectic collection of stuff.
More about .22 target shooting will be coming soon.
Be a part of history. Join the ISRA and support 2A rights in Illinois – CLICK HERE.
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Law-abiding Firearm Owner – Right Place, Right Time
Jordan Salinas is a name you might have heard in the mainstream media lately – perhaps a pleasant surprise now that they have picked up on his actions and have not painted him as a monster. He is, undeniably, a hero.
In Twin Falls, Idaho, Mr. Salinas had been parked at a stoplight when he saw some jerk start shooting at people outside of an In and Out Burger restaurant. Mr. Salinas got out of his car and engaged the shooter, along with a off-duty State Trooper, and they put a stop to the rampage. He didn’t wait for backup. He was courageous and jumped into action.
The shooter is deceased from a self-inflicted gun wound, but he was able to kill 3 and injure 7 others. I do not know how many others might have died that day, but I DO know, however, that we need more well-trained, armed citizens like Mr. Salinas!
The ISRA offers a plethora of classes, leagues, special activities to hone your skills. To see what events are coming up, go to the ISRA Range Calendar – CLICK HERE.
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Litigation Update
On August 3rd, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois issued a summery judgment in favor of the State of Illinois in the Miller v Mueller lawsuit. The lawsuit deals with the inability of people who operate day care facilities to keep any firearms on the premises. The Department of Children and Family Services requires firearms be disassembled, even though they are locked in a gun safe. This is a very unsafe practice.
The Illinois State Rifle Association and the Second Amendment Foundation will be appealing the case to the United State Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Also, the Illinois State Rifle Association will be submitting an amicus brief to the Supreme Court of the United States in the Viramontes v Cook County lawsuit. The lawsuit challenges Cook County’s ban on certain types of semiautomatic firearms.
We will keep you apprised of any other movement on litigation as we become aware of it.
To donate to the ISRA to help us continue the fight for Second Amendment rights,
Thank you for standing with the ISRA as we defend the rights of law-abiding Illinois gun owners!
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Legislative Update
Veto session is on the way and we are waiting. We will keep you apprised of any news on legislation as we become aware of it
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The up-coming 2026 veto session dates for the Illinois Senate are:
November 17th, 18th, 19th and December 1st, 2nd, 3rd.
You can find downloadable PDF versions of the House calendar HERE and the Senate calendar HERE to view all the legislative session deadlines.
The ISRA maintains a list of the most important bills under consideration in the Illinois State Legislature; the most current list is always the ISRA Legislation Page. Click and follow along!
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.
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My Two Cents
The days are getting shorter and shorter. In August, we will lose one hour of daylight in most of the state, slightly more in northern Illinois. The leaves on the trees are beginning to show variations in green colors. Fall is six weeks away, but it will be here before you know it. Squirrel season has already started and dove season will start on September 1st. Waterfowl, upland game and deer seasons will not be far behind. It’s time to get out your hunting guns and make sure they are ready to go. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for you to get yourself to the range and make sure YOU are also ready to go!
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The ISRA Range Has Classes, Leagues, Special Events And More!
We offer 18 different shooting leagues. Some are weekly and some are monthly, and all of them are fun. There is no better place to learn new things and for camaraderie while you improve on your marksmanship skills. It’s a great place for you to shoot!
For more info on Classes, Leagues, Special Events and more, go to the ISRA Range Calendar – CLICK HERE.
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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; Meetings resume in August.
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 – Algonquin/Dundee area – This meeting is canceled for the remainder of this summer.
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
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“Money can only buy happiness if you spend it on freedom.
Join the ISRA today.” ~ Richard Pearson
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The ISRA M1 Garand Online Raffle
Includes: WWII U.S. Army M1923 M1 Garand Rifle Cartridge Belt
M1 Garand Raffle Order Form (PDF)
Ticket prices:
1 Ticket – $20
3 Tickets – $50
8 Tickets – $100
25 Tickets – $250
60 Tickets – $500
Link to M1 Garand Raffle Order Form
Please Read The Fine print:
Official Rules
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 or information on this raffle, contact:
ISRA – PO Box 637 – Chatsworth, IL 60921
(815)635.3198 or E-Mail: member@isra.org
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“I am frequently asked if the ISRA sells our membership list. The answer is absolutely not.” ~ Richard Pearson
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Education & Training @ ISRA Range, Bonfield, IL.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to start time.
*Every Thursday (unless otherwise noted) ISRA Precision Air Pistol Training – Range 12 & Clubhouse – 5:30pm – 7:00pm
August 20 – 23 (Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun) Massad Ayoob – MAG40 – World Shooting & Recreational Complex – 8:30am – 7:00pm
September 5 – 6 (Sat, Sun) IL Concealed Carry – Clubhouse – 9:00am – 5:30pm
*** Please contact academy@isra.org for any training or class questions and check the ISRA Range Calendar for links to dates, times, descriptions of ISRA activities and events.
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ISRA Members: To view the
Illinois Shooter – Summer 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
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Super Tidbit
Washington’s escape from Long Island was a miracle, but his foresight and military planning certainly helped. In April 1776, General Washington had sent Generals Putnam and Sullivan to build fortifications on the highest point of Long Island. They did a magnificent job. They built a system of lunette batteries*, which were normally used to defend coasts from invasions but they reversed them to face the British Army. These fortifications were much tougher to assault than the fortifications at Bunker Hill. The British had no taste for attacking American troops in a fortified position. Bunker Hill had taught the British a hard lesson: they hesitated, and that bought Washington more time.
Washington’s only way out was to cross the East River to Manhattan—a treacherous move at best. Fortunately, the fishermen from Marblehead manned and piloted the boats. The Continental Army moved silently, with the help of an unusually heavy fog, and made it to Manhattan. Surely, the hand of Provenience was upon them that day on behalf of the cause.
Once there, Washington had to deal with all the same problems he had previously faced, including a lack of discipline, lack of supplies, low morale, and being increasingly outnumbered by the British. The other big problem for Washington was the insistence of the Continental Congress that New York not be abandoned. Perilous times were ahead for the Continental Army.
* Lunette batteries were semicircular earthwork fortifications used to mount cannons, designed to protect coastal defenses from invasion.
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Tidbits
August 6, 1945 – The first atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. The United States hoped to end the war quickly. It was estimated that invasion of Japan would cause 10 million U.S. casualties. The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima is estimated to have killed 80,000 people.
August 7, 1782 – General George Washington, commander and chief of the Continental Army, creates the badge for military merit commonly known as the “Purple Heart”.
The Badge was presented to soldiers for “Any singularly, meritorious action”. Only three Purple Hearts were issued in the Revolutionary War and was sadly dormant until 1927.
In 1927, General Charles P. Summerall, U.S. Army Chief of Staff, tried unsuccessfully to have Congress pass the “Badge of Military Merit”. In 1931, General Douglas MacArthur worked on reinstating the badge for the bicentennial of George Washington’s birth. On April 22, 1932, Washington’s birthday, the U.S. War Department announced the creation of the Order of the Purple Heart, its oldest decoration of merit awarded to the members of the United States Armed Services. It is now awarded to those who have been wounded or killed in action fighting against the enemy and also for prisoners of war.
My father received two Purple Hearts. I had a friend who received a Purple Heart in World War II, and one in the Korean War. Anyone who received this badge of distinction deserves our admiration.
August 7, 1942 – The First Marine Division begins Operation Watchtower, the first offensive attack in the World War II, by landing on Guadalcanal.
August 9, 1936 – Jesse Owens wins his fourth gold medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Moreover, his relay team set a new world record that lasted over 20 years. Jesse Owens winning the gold and being a talented black American gave Adolf Hitler stomach cramps.
August 10, 1776 – News of the Declaration of Independence finally reaches London. I’ll bet that was a big day for King George and the British Parliament.
August 12, 1898 – The Spanish American War ends. In the peace treaty, the United States gained Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. Cuba became a U.S. protectorate. The United States had become a player on the world stage.
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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.
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.
Oct. 3 – 4, 2026 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association – New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL.
Oct. 24 – 25, 2026 Belleville Gun & Knife Show, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville, IL.
Oct. 24 – 25, 2026 Sauk Trail Gun Collectors Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.
Nov. 7 – 8, 2026 Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL.
Nov. 28 – 29, 2026 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association – New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL.
Nov. 28 – 29, 2026 Sauk Trail Gun Collectors Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.
Dec. 6 – Dec. 7, 2026 Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club House, Chillicothe, IL.
Feb. 13 – 14, 2027 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association – New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL.
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Stand Strong &
Thank you for being a member!
– Richard Pearson
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
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