February 5, 2026
Thursday Bulletin – February 5, 2026
Executive Director’s Message
Richard Pearson
Official Statement From The ISRA On Minnesota
We are all watching the mess in Minnesota unfold. The ISRA has been called upon to address the recent shooting of a protester. Here is our official statement:
Statement from the Illinois State Rifle Association – Doug Mayhall, President
“The Illinois State Rifle Association is concerned about recent statements from US Attorney Bill Essayli and FBI Director Kash Patel implying that people do not have a right to carry firearms at protests. The ISRA maintains that individuals have a constitutional right to carry a firearm at a protest, provided they are acting lawfully. ISRA calls for an open and transparent investigation into the recent shooting incident in Minnesota. The Association also commends Illinois General Assembly members who previously opposed the Second Amendment but now recognize the right to carry firearms outside the home. The Illinois State Rifle Association looks forward to collaborating with these legislators to review and address unconstitutional laws, beginning with Section 65 (“Prohibited Areas”) of the Conceal Carry Act of 2013 (430 ILCS 66/65).”
Legislative Update
Some people have questioned the value of lobbyists in a place like Illinois. Lobbyists ensure that our side of story is heard. This is in committee and in the floor debates. In committee our lobbyist will testify. When it comes time for the floor debate our lobbyists assist in providing information to legislators on our side. So why is this important? Because the floor debates are held as part of the record. A good example is Diggins v The People of Illinois in 2015. Mr. Diggins was charged with several criminal offenses, on of which was improperly transporting a firearm. He had a pistol in the center console of his vehicle. Mr. Diggins’ attorneys claimed that the center console was a closable box that complied with the law. The justices reviewed the floor debate that occurred in 1983 which was 32 years prior. ISRA lobbyists at times undoubtedly supplied information to the legislators. The Illinois Supreme Court found that a closable center counsel of a vehicle did meet the requirements of a case under Illinois law. This is why you can carry a firearm in your center counsel and by extension your glove box. This is just example of why lobbying is such an important part of the making of laws. Everything matters; you can’t just blow off any part of the system just because you are frustrated. No one ever said the process was easy nor did they say it was pretty.
HB0043 – Task Force of Firearm Insurance
I have been getting calls about HB0043 which would create a task force to study how the State of Illinois could require firearm owners to carry liability insurance to offset the cost of so-called gun violence. The term “gun violence ” is a made-up term to convince the uninformed that guns are bad. There is simply violence. There is no knife violence, tire iron violence, Molotov cocktail violence or any other object-oriented violence. Violence is a problem with people, that is why there are terms like mob violence or domestic violence. The problem is that no one in government wants to hold perpetrators responsible. It’s bad at election time, so what if people are robbed, beaten, maimed or murdered.
The so-called “gun insurance” is just a poll tax on the right to own a firearm. It’s patently unconstitutional but the Illinois Legislature has never had a problem with passing unconstitutional laws. The attitude among many legislators, particularly regarding to firearm issues is “If you want your rights back sue for them”. Not an attitude to my liking, or yours either, I suspect.
The “gun insurance” is an old idea that was cooked up to make gun owners and potential gun owners nervous and wary about gun ownership. The main antigun advocate in the Illinois House is Representative Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield). He has a group led of Fellow Travelers with on HB0043. Just as important as looking at bills in to looking at the sponsors and where they are from. These people are your enemies, and you should become familiar with them and where they are from.
Bills like HB0043 are why you should be at IGOLD this year. IGOLD is April 15. Get everyone of your friends to come. See the IGOLD ad in this Thursday Bulletin.
IGOLD – Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day Info
Come to the BoS Center in Springfield, Illinois, for Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day on April 15, 2026. The most important day of the year for gun owners in Illinois, IGOLD is when gun owners gather in Springfield to speak with one voice and send a message to the legislature. Dave McDermott, the well known self-defense attorney, will be one of the speakers at IGOLD. You don’t want to miss his address. Please mark your calendars to reserve this date. If your club or business would like to bring a bus-load of people to IGOLD, the ISRA will pay for parking meters and parking spaces.
Tables are available to those who wish to display their products, organization or services to those attending. Political candidates may also purchase a table. Tables are $100.00 each. If interested, please call the office at 815-635-3198.
You can find the latest information at the ISRA’s IGOLD Page.
For more information on how you can join, help, or donate, call the ISRA office at (815) 635-3198, e-mail us at member@isra.org or click the links below:
The RIFL Act will price us out of our 2A rights — HELP ISRA STOP THE RIFL ACT!
Be sure to attend IGOLD this year!
Stand up, show up and defend the Second Amendment. See you there!
ISRA Label Mailing – RIFL Act
Many of you have been looking forward to the annual ISRA label mailing. We have gotten calls wondering when they would arrive. They should have arrived by now.
In the mailing, we address the RIFL Act, which is an attempt to ban firearms by running firearm manufacturers and firearm dealers out of business. View a brief synopsis provided by Ed Sullivan, one of our lobbyists, in this brief YouTube video, HERE. The RIFL Act is unconstitutional. We know it and they anti-gunners know it, but they don’t care. We will file lawsuits and we will win but these lawsuits will drag though the courts and bankrupt firearm manufacturers and dealers in the process. The process becomes the punishment.
Please donate to help us fight these abominable bills and also make time to come to IGOLD on April 15!
For more information on how you can help, call the ISRA office at (815) 635-3198, or e-mail us at member@isra.org today.
Friends of the NRA Dinner
The NRA Foundation is no more. I like many of you supported the Friends of the NRA dinners for a great many years. Recently with the shake-up at the NRA a law suit erupted between the NRA and the NRA Foundation. As a result, the Foundation was closed as of January 31. It is my understanding. NRA will start a new organization soon. The NRA Foundation and the Friends of the NRA raised a lot of money for youth shooting programs, Eddie Eagle and a variety of firearm safety programs.
My Recommendations For NRA Board Of Directors
You should be receiving your NRA ballot in the mail soon and every year I am asked who I recommend for the NRA Board of Directors. The members below are from my October 2025 list. Remember, these are my recommendations – if you have other ideas that is fine. The important thing is that eligible voting members actually DO VOTE. The turn out for NRA Board of Directors elections have been miserable.
My criteria for my picks are simple. I must know them and they must actually do something that matters. Reading a resume alone doesn’t get it for me. I much prefer sweat over talk. I know many of the candidates on the list but that doesn’t mean I am going to recommend them.
To be eligible to vote in NRA elections you must be a five year or a Life, Endowment, Patron or Benefactor member of the NRA. The NRA Board of Directors has 76 members. One third of them (25) are elected each year for a three year term. The 76th board member is elected for a one year term at the annual meeting. Eligible members can vote for up to 25 candidates. The problem is that for every person you vote beyond that first vote makes each subsequent vote less valuable. The fewer people you vote for the more weight your vote has. The term for this is “bullet voting” which is highly appropriate for a rifle association. There is a balance between one and twenty five. I believe the practical number is five. Below are my five recommendations.
Robert Beckman – Cincinnati, Ohio.
Lynn Gibson – New Athens, Illinois.
Amanda Suffecool – Wayland, Ohio.
Todd Vandermyde – Yorkville, Illinois.
James Wallace – Newburyport, Massachusetts.
Remember, this is just what I think. Remember, your vote is still YOUR VOTE.
Safe Storage of Firearms Act – ISRA Partners With StopBox
The Safe Storage of Firearms Act, designated as Public Act 101-0031, is now fully implemented. Under this legislation, firearm owners are required to secure their firearms in a safe storage device if certain individuals are present on their premises. The term “premises” is defined broadly as any location under a person’s control, including homes, businesses, or vehicles. Therefore, a safe storage device is necessary for these areas unless the firearm is carried by the owner.
Despite concerns having been raised regarding the focus and implications of this law, and that the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) is continuing to evaluate possible legal challenges to its constitutionality, the ISRA is excited to partner with StopBox – firearm security devices! While we don’t agree with this Safe Storage Act, we realize that many of our members are at risk because of this. If you have a handgun or select shotguns and rifles that needs to be secured, this is an answer for you. Any proceeds from the sale of StopBox will be used to continue the fight for your gun rights. Scan the QR code to order today or call the ISRA office at 815-635-3198 for more information.
* * *
The General Assembly has reconvened and is in session now.
The Governor’s Budget Address will take place on 2/18. IGOLD will take place on 4/15.
You can find the House calendar HERE and the Senate calendar HERE to view all the legislative session deadlines.
You can follow along by clicking the ISRA Legislation Page.
Who can you trust?
Most people know state departments of natural resources or their equivalents hire sharpshooters to cull deer herds and take samples for Chronic Wasting Disease. In many states these are contractors who often hunt at night using thermal imagery and suppressors. In Wisconsin things got a little out of hand. One contractor was charged with taking deer without a license. The fine for that little escapade was $10,000. Other shenanigans have also taken place, like turning deer that have been killed in a vehicular accident a culled deer, stealing of antlers, failing to register culled deer (over 500 times) and who knows what else. Hmm, who’s watching the watchers?
Iowa is a top destination for hunters and anglers.
Our gun and outdoorsmen friendly neighbor Iowa has been pumping local economies with dollars from surrounding states.
Last year, Iowa sold 88,562 out-of-state hunting and fishing licenses. Aside from the license fees those folks added just slightly less than $8,000,000 to the economy much of which went into small towns that really needed it. I’m guessing a lot of those out of state folks were from Illinois. I can’t imagine why.
Litigation Update
ISRA SUPPORTING
Schoenthal v Raoul (7th Cir.) – At this time we have not heard anything from the Supreme Court of the United States on whether or not they are going to take the Schoenthal v Roaul case. We do know they are considering it.
We need extra support right now, so please… donate HERE.
Not an ISRA member? Join the ISRA and support 2A rights in Illinois – click HERE.
ISRA Academy Announces 2026 Massad Ayoob Group Classes
The Illinois State Rifle Association is very excited to announce we are hosting multiple Massad Ayoob Group classes this year including MAG20 Live Fire, MAG30, MAG40, and MAG80. Please click on the class title to learn more about each one, including per-requisites.
MAG20 will be May 2-3, 2026
MAG30 will be June 12-14, 2026
MAG40 will be August 20-23, 2026
MAG80 will be August 26-30, 2026
MAG40 will be held in Sparta, IL, at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex, all others held at ISRA Range in Bonfield, IL.
Registration is now open!! Register early as seats are limited!!
Please use THIS LINK to register for MAG20, MAG40, or MAG80.
Please use THIS LINK to register for MAG30.
Every Eligible Person In Your Home Should Have A FOID Card.
We often receive calls about a husband who has passed away and left his wife with a gun collection. The problem is the wife does not have a FOID card. Don’t let this happen in your household. Spouses should have a FOID card. Be sure that anyone whom you might want to handle your firearms has a FOID card.
“Money can only buy happiness if you spend it on freedom. Join the ISRA today.” ~ Richard Pearson
LAST CHANCE! Postmark Deadline Is February 9th For
ISRA Colt Anaconda 44 Magnum Raffle!
Entries after that must be paid on-line or over the phone
Buy your tickets early for the ISRA Colt Anaconda 44 Magnum Raffle! Drawing will be held on February 17, 2026. Entries must be postmarked by February 9, 2025.
TICKET PRICES:
• 1 for $10
• 3 for $25
• 7 for $50
• 15 for $100
You need not be present to win. Dues and donations to the ISRA are NOT tax deductible. Winner of the Colt Anaconda must comply with all federal, state and local laws. Winner has 90 days to claim prize.
Scan the QR code in the ad or CLICK HERE for more info.
Questions? Call the ISRA office at: 815-635-3198.
We appreciate your continuing support! Every ticket you buy helps keep Illinois gun owners strong, trained, and protected. We’ve stood for your rights since 1903 — and we’re not slowing down. Thank you for standing with us!
“I am frequently asked if the ISRA sells our membership list. The answer is absolutely not.” ~ Richard Pearson
Education & Training @ ISRA Range, Bonfield, IL.
*Every Thursday (unless otherwise noted) ISRA Precision Air Pistol Training – Range 12 & Clubhouse – 5:30pm – 7:00pm
February 7 (Saturday) Range Work Day – 8:00pm – 4:00pm
February 12 (Thursday) CCL Renewal & Qualification – Range 11 & Clubhouse – 9:00am – 12:00pm
March 21 & 22 (Saturday & Sunday) Concealed Carry Class – Range 11 & Clubhouse – 9:00am – 5:30pm
March 22 (Sunday) CCL Renewal & Qualification – Range 11 & Clubhouse – 9:00am – 12:00pm
March 29 (Sunday) Armed Women of America – Range 11 & Clubhouse – 9:00am – 11:00pm
May 2 & 3 (Saturday & Sunday) Massad Ayoob – MAG20 – Range 8 & Clubhouse – 9:00am – 5:30
June 12 – 14 (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) Massad Ayoob – 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
February 5,1971 – The Apollo 14 mission successfully lands on the Moon, marking a significant achievement in space exploration.
February 6, 1778 – The Franco-American Treaty of Alliance is signed, along with the Treaty of Amity and Commerce. The Treaty of Alliance solidified a defensive alliance between the two countries while the other treaty established formal commercial and diplomatic relations. These two treaties formally recognizing the United States as a sovereign country was another way France put a stick in the eye of their adversary, the British.
February 6, 1911 – Ronald Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois, although his family were residents of Dixon, Illinois. Later, he would go on to graduate from Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois.
Ronald Reagan went on to make 50 movies in Hollywood, but his real path to fame was his rise through the Screen Actors Guild.
During his political career, he served two terms as Governor of California and made a bid for the Presidency in 1976 but lost the nomination to incumbent President, Gerald Ford. In 1980, Reagan won the Presidential nomination and went on to serve two terms as President.
His great talent in politics came from his ability to speak to the common man. He described the heroes of America as those who went to work every day on farms, in factories, who raised their families and were good citizens within their communities.
The 20 years prior to Reagan becoming President was filled with turbulence and poor leadership in America. Reagan brought common sense and normalcy back to the United States government. He was a man who meant what he said. He wasn’t a man to be messed with, as the enemies of the United States would come to understand. It looks like we are going to have “deja-vu all over again”, as Yogi Berra liked to say.
February 7, 1812 – An earthquake shook Missouri, southern Illinois and parts of Kentucky. The earthquake was said to be an 8.8 on the Richter scale and was so powerful that it awakened Dolly Madison, wife of President James Madison, in Washington D.C.
Before the earthquake, there were many small islands in the Mississippi River that disappeared, as well as some islands and other rivers. Reelfoot Lake and Big Lake were created from this land-jarring quake.
Although the area was scarcely populated at the time, it is estimated that over 1000 people were killed. The epicenter of the earthquake was the city of New Madrid, in present-day Missouri. The fault line that produced this earthquake is now called the New Madrid fault line, and it is still active.
February 8, 1943 – After a six month battle, Americans capture the island of Guadalcanal. Guadalcanal is located in the Solomon Islands, which are right in the middle of the shipping lanes to Australia. Whoever controlled Guadalcanal controlled the South Pacific.
The battles on Guadalcanal were hard fought, as evidenced by a Marine who told me the story of how he and his partner fought a Japanese infiltrator in their foxhole. The Japanese would attempt to infiltrate the foxholes at night, trying to kill the Marines entrenched there. The Marine’s partner was killed instantly, and he was left to wrestle with the Japanese soldier. The Marine finally managed to subdue the Japanese soldier by pinning his chest to the ground. He knew he could not allow the Japanese soldier to get loose because he still armed with a knife and he might gain the upper hand. So the Marine held him down and chewed through his jugular vein, restraining him until he bled to death. This demonstrated what American soldiers had to face in the South Pacific. I still remember him telling us this story when I was in school. I can still picture his face and the classroom, as he recounted the event, and the emotions it stirred.
February 9, 1942 – Daylight Savings Time was enacted to conserve fuel. The history of daylight savings time goes back to Benjamin Franklin. Later on, Great Britain talked about instituting it, but did not until Germany instituted it to save fuel in World War I.
February 12, 1809 – Abraham Lincoln was born in Hodgenville, Kentucky. His family was very poor and he was only able to attend school for one year, after which he was self-taught. His career included being a shopkeeper, a postmaster, a surveyor, and an attorney.
He became President in the election of 1860 and presided over the Union victory during the Civil War. He was held in high regard by scholars, historians and the public as one of the greatest Presidents in American history. Not bad for a man who only had one year of education. Maybe so-called “formal education” is not all it is cracked-up to be.
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.
Feb. 7 – Feb. 8, 2026 Bloomington Gun & Knife Show – Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL.
Feb. 8, 2026 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St Charles, IL.
Feb. 14 – Feb. 15, 2026 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association – New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL.
Mar. 7 – Mar. 8, 2026 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee County Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL.
Mar. 8, 2026 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St Charles, IL.
March 28 – March 29, 2026 Belleville Gun & Knife Show – Belle-Clair Fairgounds, Belleville, IL.
March 28 – March 29, 2026 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.
April 11 – April 12, 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. 12 – Sept. 13, 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.
Other Events
Feb. 7, 2025 Highland Pistol & Rifle Club International Pistol Event, Highland, IL.
Feb. 14, 2026 Sandy Ford International Pistol Event, Sandy Ford Sportsman Club Indoor Range, 720 S Bloomington St, Streator, IL.
Mar. 14, 2026 Sandy Ford International Pistol Event, Sandy Ford Sportsman Club Indoor Range, 720 S Bloomington St, Streator, Illinois
Mar. 21 & 22,2026 Northern Illinois Precision Pistol Championship at Elgin Rifle Club, 405 Ramona Ave, Elgin, Illinois
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 Saturday of the month – South Post Guns, 104 Livingston Rd., Streator, IL; Social Hour 4:30pm – 5:30pm; Meeting 5:30pm – 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 – Kenootz Pizza, 4659 147th St., Midlothian, IL; Doors open 6:30pm; 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!
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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