February 24, 2024
California Bill Would Force Firearm Owners to Disclose Firearms to Insurance Companies
On February 16th, two anti-gun legislators in California introduced a bill that would force homeowners, renters and vehicle owners to disclose to their insurance companies the number of firearms they own, and where they are stored on the property. But that’s not all. Those same insurance companies must report the information back to the California Department of Insurance and to the legislature annually, beginning on January 1, 2027.
This should concern every law-abiding gun owner in Illinois, because we’re next. It is exactly what Governor Pritzker and his anti-gun supporters in the legislature want to do. There is evidence to support this, and I’ll explain why I know this to be true in this article – keep reading.
The California model is simple: It is to create a road map for anti-gun legislators, so they will know who has guns and where they are stored. That way government officials will have access to the exact location down to the specific room in your home, where your firearms are stored.
Second Amendment attorney Chuck Michel, who represents the California Rifle and Pistol Association, said it best in response to this new piece of legislation when he said, “California progressive politicians refuse to accept the Supreme Court’s mandate from the Bruen case, and are trying every creative ploy they can imagine to get around it.” Sound familiar? The progressive politicians in California and Governor Pritzker will do anything they can, including abusing their power to harass and intimidate law-abiding gun owners, and force them to disclose and register their firearms. Governors Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker – who both want to be President – want to weaponize state agencies to go after law-abiding gun owners. It’s the Department of Insurance today and another Department tomorrow. And then another Department the day after.
Historically, registration has led to confiscation, and this is the goal of these liberal politicians – to disarm law-abiding citizens and take away our guns. However, there’s more to it. We can see a pattern developing, because here in Illinois, two anti-gun legislators Democrat State Representative Bob Morgan and Democrat State Representative Suzanne Ness, introduced a bill in Springfield last March – House Bill 1305 – to create a task force on firearm insurance that would review insurance policy offerings in coordination with state legislators and the Illinois Department of Insurance.
What would be the purpose of this task force? It would be to empower government officials, and force law-abiding citizens here in Illinois, to disclose to their insurance companies the number of firearms they own and where they are stored on their property. There is no other reason to explain the creation of this task force. The bill just introduced in California is exactly what they want to do here in Illinois. Mark my words. Again, we can see a pattern here.
After Governor Pritzker was left embarrassed when less than two percent of the 2.4 million FOID card holders in the state, registered their firearms by the January 1st deadline, State Senator Natalie Toro, a Chicago anti-gun Democrat introduces legislation – Senate Bill 2619 – that gives the Illinois State Police $10 million dollars in funding identified as “grants to law enforcement agency task forces for participating in programs to help reduce crime.” While we do not know what the intended programs are, that will help to reduce violence as Senator Toro’s bill states, what we do know is that the money will go to law enforcement agencies.
For what purpose? To be used against law-abiding gun owners in the enforcement of the registration component of the assault weapons ban. That is the grand master plan: Pass a bill in Illinois requiring firearms registration; outline how they are going to enforce it on the State Police website; then file a bill like Senator Toro’s to fund it.
That’s not all. In early January, Illinois State Senator Julie Morrison introduced legislation that proposes when a FOID card is revoked – and the FOID card holder does not comply with Section 9.5 of the FOID Act by surrendering their FOID card to authorities – they may NOT be issued a driver’s license; RENEW a driver’s license; RETAIN a driver’s license; or be ISSUED a permit to drive under the Illinois Vehicle Code.
Rest assured. The ISRA will not back down until our right to bear arms is restored in Illinois. We will continue our fight and oppose any legislation that targets legal gun owners. The ISRA is also presently leading the charge as a named plaintiff on two cases and playing a supporting role in an additional five more – totaling 7 cases dealing with constitutional issues and on behalf of law-abiding gun owners in Illinois. We will never give up.
If you are currently a member of the ISRA, you are supporting our efforts to protect legal, responsible gun ownership, and we thank you. If you are not a member of the ISRA, now is the time to join. We need the support of every gun owner in Illinois. Join the fight at http://www.isra.org
We need you to come to IGOLD and oppose these bills and others like them. Be sure to be there on Thursday, April 18th for Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day.
New Smith & Wesson Rifle Model
On February 14, 1854, Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson received a patent on their Volcanic Repeater. 170 years later, Smith & Wesson are introducing their lever action Model 1854 Rifle. This Rifle is a lever action and has all the latest innovations.
One of the features I like, is that it has a removable magazine tube for easy unloading. With most lever action rifles, each shell must be run through the action, ejected one by one. With a removable magazine tube, the cartridges are simply dumped out, and not run through the action, and therefore not damaged.
Another great feature is the gold bead front sight. Gold bead front sights are the easiest to see, other than a fiber optic. But they are also more durable than a fiber optic. The Smith & Wesson Model 1854 lever action rifle features a large lever which helps those with big hands or when wearing gloves.
The rifle comes with a 4.75-inch Picatinny rail for mounting optics and has three M-Lok slots on the fore-end for accessories. Presently, the rifle only comes in a 44 mag. which is a good all-around caliber. Hopefully we’ll see the rifle offer 460 Smith & Wesson or maybe even 500 Smith & Wesson calibers. The Smith & Wesson Model 1854 is certainly worth looking at for anyone who loves lever action rifles.
We are now offering sponsorships for IGOLD. We have 4 different sponsorship levels to choose what’s best for you, your company or your organization.
Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day (IGOLD) will be on Thursday, April 18th this year. If your gun club, gun shop, hunting group and/or organization is thinking about bringing a bus to IGOLD with your members, NOW is the time to plan it.
If you are bringing a bus, please let us know by April 1st. The ISRA must pay for your bus parking in advance. Please notify the ISRA Office and speak with Shirley at 815.635.3198 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4pm. You can also email Shirely at shirley@isra.org. Please put BUS NOTIFICATION in the subject line. We will update you on IGOLD as we get closer to the date.
February 22, 1732 – George Washington is Born in Westmoreland County Virginia. In 1752 he joined the British army and rose to the rank of colonel. When Washington lived in Virginia, he became a representative in the colonial House of Burgesses. As time passed Washington, and other patriots became increasingly frustrated with the boot heel of King George and the British Empire firmly placed on the neck of the colonies.
In 1775, Washington was chosen to command the new Continental Army. His success was fueled by his intellect and willingness to use guerrilla tactics to fight the British. In 1789, he was elected the first president of the United States. His strength of character, experience and leadership went a long way in forming the United States government, as it is today.
February 22, 1847 – The Battle of Buena Vista Begins. General Zachary Taylor, whose nickname was “Old, Rough and Ready”, lived up to his name. At Angostura Pass Mexican General Santa Anna surrounded the American forces. General Taylor had 5000 troops and Santa Ana had 15,000 troops. Santa Anna demanded the surrender of the Americans, but Taylor refused, replying, “Tell him to go to hell”.
The American artillery was far superior, and with the Mississippi Rifleman under the command of Jefferson Davis, shattered the Mexican advance. Once again, superior American Marksmanship, saved the day.
February 23, 1945 – American Marines Raise the Flag on Mount Suribachi. The iconic picture taken by photographer Joe Rosenthal has become the symbol of one of America’s greatest moments. The picture was turned into the Marine Memorial in Washington DC. If you ever get to Washington DC, it is important that you visit all the memorials there – they are all very moving.
Tidbits February 24, 1803 – Marbury v Madison Establishes Judicial Review. The Supreme Court of the United States decided a case known as Marberry versus Madison. This landmark case established review of laws passed by Congress. What this meant was that the Supreme Court of the United States could decide whether the laws passed Congress without conflicts with the Constitution of the United States. This has been an important milestone in the protecting of rights of the citizens of the United States from congressional overreach.
February 24, 1836 – Alamo Defenders Call for Help. Colonel William Travis issues a call for help on behalf of the Texan troops defending the Alamo, against the Mexican troops attacking them. The call was too late. There was no time for the army of Texans to organize and get there. Sam Houston decided not to attempt a rescue of the Alamo, but rather build an army of Texans to fight Santa Anna at a later date. In the end, Sam Houston was the one to defeat general, Santa, Anna and the Mexican forces. “Remember the Alamo!”
February 24, 1917 – The Zimmerman Telegram Presented to U.S. Ambassador. British intelligence intercepts a telegram from Arthur Zimmerman, the German foreign secretary, to Count Johann von Bernstorff, the German ambassador to Mexico. In the telegram, Germany offered to give Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, to Mexico, in exchange for their declaration of war and attacking the United States. The Zimmerman Telegram turned public opinion against Germany and lead to the declaration of war against Germany on April 2, 1917. U.S. relations with Mexico have always been troubled, and that continues to this day.
February 26, 1945 – United States Troops Recapture Philippine Island of Corregidor. The island that had been the U.S. stronghold, was eventually recaptured. The fortification contained a tunnel 1400 feet long that General MacArthur feared the surviving Japanese soldiers could stay in for months. Instead, the Japanese decided to ignite a nearby ammunition dump, which killed most of the Japanese defenders in an act of mass suicide.
February 27, 1936 – Young Actress Shirley Temple Receives $50,000 per Movie. In the heart of the depression $50,000 was a huge sum of money. At the time, Shirley Temple was only seven years old. As Shirley Temple grew older, her film career waned. She became interested in politics, which was eventually supported, and she was appointed ambassador to the United Nations by President Richard Nixon. She became the first woman ever to serve as Chief of Protocol. In 1989, she was appointed ambassador to Czechoslovakia.
Shirley Temple Black became as spokeswoman for breast cancer. In 1972 she underwent surgery for a mastectomy. She died February 10, 2014, at the age of 85.
Click here to view the entire calendar. All classes and events are open to the public & all range members, unless otherwise noted. here
Open to the public. Scheduled for March 24, 2024, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm., at the ISRA Range. Limited to 10 students. The cost is $75 (ISRA member) and $150 (non-member). Class covers instruction on firearm safety, rules, ammunition types, and proper instruction of semi-auto pistols and revolvers. Topics include firearm selection, shooting fundamentals, firearm maintenance and cleaning. Instructors: Mandi Ehler, Mike Cialdella & Jeff Marienthal. To register, contact ISRA Office at 815.635.3198 or mailto: member@isra.org
We are glad to announce that we will have an M1 Maintenance Class scheduled for Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm at the ISRA Range in Bonfield, IL. We have found a highly qualified instructor, Larry Collinson, who has been with Springfield Armory for a long time. Mr. Collinson is an expert on the M1 Rifle. You will learn to take apart, clean, reassemble, and maintain your M1 Garand Rifle during this class. The class size is limited to 32 people. The cost is $65 (ISRA member) and $110 (non-member). Lunch will be provided. If you have special dietary needs, you will need to provide your own lunch. There will be no walk-ins allowed.
To register, contact the Office at 815.635.3198 and talk to Mel or Shirley. You can also email mel.hitchens.isra@gmail.com or shirley@isra.org. If you are interested in taking this class, it is filling up quickly, so please register soon. If this class becomes full, or you cannot come to the class on this date, please call us and we will add you to a list to schedule another class at a later date, provided we have enough people on the list.
2-24 – Armed Women of America – Clubhouse-9:00-10:00, Range 11-10:00-12:00
2-27 – Air Gun Practice & League – Range 12 (Indoor Range) – 5:00-8:00
2-28 – F-Class Indoor League – Clubhouse/Range 12 – 10:00-2:00
2-28 – Air Rifle Practice & League – Range 12; Clubhouse – 11:00-3:00
The ISRA Range is located at 1589 N 7000w Rd, Bonfield, IL 60913.
The ISRA Range offers great classes and leagues
for shooting enthusiasts!
Interested in joining a league?
Just show up 15 – 30 minutes early.
Range memberships are available.
A day at the ISRA Range is always a great day!
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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
While the gun show information shown in this email is believed to be correct – sometimes changes occur. This is provided for informational purposes only.
LeRoy Sportsman’s Club is offering a Hunter Safety Class on 3/8/24 at 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, through 3/9/24 at 8:30 am – 5 pm. Must attend both sessions. For more info and to sign-up call or text Lyndall Cuba at 309-530-4124.
We get lots of calls about where to go to take Hunter Safety classes. Here is a link on the IDNR website, which will take you to class listings by county and date. https://dnr2.illinois.gov/SafetyEd/SafetyEdClassByCounty
Feb 24 – 25 Decatur Gun & Knife Show, Decatur Conference Center, Decatur
Mar 2 – 3 Belleville Gun & Knife Show, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville
Mar 2 – 3 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee Co. Fairgrounds, Kankakee
Mar 8 – 10 Illinois Deer Classic, Peoria Civic Center, Peoria
Mar 10 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles
Mar 16 – 17 Peoria Gun & Knife Show, Exposition Gardens, Peoria
Mar 23 – 24 Springfield Gun Show, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield
Mar 23 – 24 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton