February 6, 2025
Help Pass H.R. 38 – The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act!
New legislation, H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, was introduced in mid-January by high-ranking Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate. The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA), a national gun rights organization, has launched a 60-second TV ad campaign in favor of this legislation to be aired on major cable TV channels.
In the ad, the public is encouraged to call in, support, and sign the CCRKBA petition backing the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. The legislation has gained not only the support of the CCRKBA, but also the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA/ILA), Gun Owners of America (GOA), the U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).
Despite vehement opposition by anti-gun lobbying groups, this legislation has a good chance of being passed with the help of concerned citizens across the country, pro-Second Amendment groups, and President Trump…but your help is needed!
Please sign the CCRKBA petition to pass this Legislation!
Click HERE to view the CCRKBA ad, to read more about the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act and the efforts to get it passed, and how to join in the CCRKBA petition backing H.R. 38.
IMPORTANT: NRA Board Of Directors Election & Certification Of Incorporation
By now, all of the voting members of the National Rifle Association have received their ballots to vote for directors and, most important, a proposed amendment for the certification of incorporation.
Let’s start with the proposed amendment. We really have no choice but to vote “yes” for the proposed amendment. What happened in New York was the State changed the Not-For-Profit Act but the NRA did not change its certificate of incorporation. Someone at the NRA was asleep at the switch. This error gave New York State an opportunity to sue the NRA. The solution now is a simple vote “yes”.
There are 28 people you can vote for out of the 39 who are running for Board of Directors. I do not vote for 28 because it weakens each vote and someone we may want can get it. Remember, anyone can write a resume that makes them look like a pit-bull when they are really a Yorkshire terrier.
Having been asked who I recommend, I am going to give my short list of picks below. However, it is your ballot and you should vote as you see fit.
Here they are:
Todd Vandermyde
Todd Ellis
James W. Porter
Andrew P Colandro
Charles T. Hiltunen
James Wallace
Willis Lee
This is the most important NRA election in years. Please vote wisely!
Legislative Update
The Illinois General Assembly will meet on the 18-20th of February. There are some gun bills that have been introduced and assigned to committees, but there are no scheduled hearings yet. We will let you know as soon as we know.
***To track bills the ISRA prioritizes, are involved in, and those bills we back, as well as legislative activity surrounding these, visit the ISRA Legislation Page on our website by clicking HERE.
Litigation Update
ISRA AS PLAINTIFF
Meyer v. Raoul (18-20 yr CCL cases) (S.D. Ill.) – No change.
Miller v. Smith (foster care/home day care firearm prohibitions) (C.D. Ill.) – No change.
ISRA SUPPORTING
Schoenthal v. Raoul (public transportation CCL case) (N.D. Ill.) – No change.
Harrel v. Raoul (AWB/LCM case) (7th Cir.) – No change.
Atkinson v. Garland (federal felon restoration) (N.D.Ill.) – No change.
People v. Brown (in-home FOID card requirement for firearm possession) (White County) – No change.
Brunke v. Kelly (N.D. Ill.) – No change.
Reece v. Raoul (PICA “injunction week” AW purchase) (Ill. 3rd Dist. App. Ct.) – No change.
Move Over Donkey … D. Hogg Has Arrived At The DNC
David Hogg has been selected as vice-chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Hogg is an outspoken, 24-year-old, gun control activist who began his political career by helping to lead several boycotts and protests after surviving the Parkland High School shooting in 2018. Since that time, Hogg has been in and out of the spotlight, writing books, founding small businesses as well as starting his own PAC, “Leaders We Deserve”, and generally maintaining a vocal, activist, anti-gun stance. Among other political actions, he also helped develop an anti-NRA advocacy group in 2018 to aid in the election of anti-gun candidates. This was just one of his pet projects that was encouraged by his Democrat mentors.
I think we all know where this is heading. The DNC has long held the anti-gun plank in their platform and Mr. Hogg seems to fill the bill as the next fresh-faced, gun-grabbing leader. As he builds his resume, with a nod from the DNC and those who hold the liberal purse-strings, his appointment practically guarantees that this fight will only get worse.
Upcoming Municipal Elections
Tuesday, April 1 will be the municipal elections in Illinois. These elections are extremely important because this is from where the next round of State Representatives and State Senators will emerge. It is very important that you review all candidates in these elections and vote for those who are pro-gun.
NOTICE to all ISRA Members
PLEASE CHECK YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARDS!
We have had tremendous problems with the mail in recent months, not being delivered. There are those that we have mailed Membership Renewal notices and they never received them. If your membership has expired or is close to expiring, please go online to our website, www.isra.org , or call the ISRA offices at 815-635-3198 to renew. Thank you!
Register NOW for Glock Armorer & Glock Operator Courses
On February 11, the Glock Armorer Course will be offered at the ISRA Range Clubhouse from 8am to 5pm. The Glock Operator Course will be held on February 12 & 13 at ISRA Range #11 from 8am to 5pm. If you are interested, you need to register NOW. For more information, call the ISRA office at 815-635-3198 or check the Education & Training section below for registration links..
Register NOW for ISRA Academy CCL Renewals
Do not miss out on the ISRA Academy featuring CCL renewals each month. Upcoming dates are:
2/20/2025 (Thursday) 1:00pm – 4:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
3/16/2025 (Sunday) 9:00am – 12:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
3/27/2025 (Thursday) 1:00pm – 4:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
Henry 1000 Man Shoot Rifle Raffle
Help us fund our youth shooting programs by purchasing tickets for our Henry 1000-Man Shoot Silver Boy rifles! ISRA will be raffling off rifle #873 out of 1000, which comes in its original case, on March 31, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to not only win a beautiful and rare firearm but also to support and encourage our young marksmen!
If you prefer to call the office and purchase tickets, you may do so between 8am and 4pm, Monday through Friday. You can also mail a check to the ISRA at P.O.Box 637, Chatsworth, IL. 60921. Be sure to include a note stating it is for the Henry Rifle Raffle.
Ticket prices are 1 for $25, 5 for $100 and 15 for $250.
Purchase Tickets for the Henry 1000 HERE
New IGOLD Merchandise in the ISRA Online Store
Come visit the ISRA Online Store to view our new line of IGOLD merchandise. We have new items added every week and, if you have something particular you would like to see available, let us know! We would love to hear your ideas and appreciate your input! Email them to us at: member@isra.org
Visit the ISRA Online Store HERE
Education & Training @ ISRA Range, Bonfield, IL.
ISRA Academy is continuing to offer CCL renewals each month –
2/20/2025 (Thursday) 1:00pm – 4:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
3/16/2025 (Sunday) 9:00am – 12:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
3/27/2025 (Thursday) 1:00pm – 4:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
Basic CCL Qualification –
3/15/2025 (Saturday) 8:30am – 5:00pm / Range 1 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
3/16/2025 (Sunday) 9:00am – 5:30pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
3/23/2025 (Sunday) 8:00am – 5:00pm / Range 9 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
NRA Basic Rifle Instructor Class & BIT –
2/15/2025 (Saturday) 8:30am – 5:00pm / Range 1 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
2/16/2025 (Sunday) 8:30am – 5:00pm / Range 1 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
Glock Armorer Course –
2/11/2025 (Tuesday) 8:00am – 5:00pm / Clubhouse – Register HERE
Glock Operator Course –
2/12/2025 (Wednesday) 8:00am – 5:00pm / Range 11 – Register HERE
2/13/2025 (Thursday) 8:00am – 5:00pm / Range 11 – Register HERE
Pistol Coaching Class / Level 1 –
3/22/2025 (Saturday) 8:30am – 4:30pm / Range 1 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
3/23/2025 (Sunday) 8:30am – 4:30pm / Range 1 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
Pistol Optics Principles with Brian Hill of “The Complete Combatant” –
4/12/2025 (Saturday) 9:00am – 6:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
4/13/2025 (Sunday) 9:00am – 6:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse – Register HERE
*** Please contact academy@isra.org for any training or class questions and check the ISRA Range Calendar HERE for links to dates, times, descriptions of ISRA activities and events.
Important Announcement – IGOLD
The 2025 IGOLD date has been moved to May 14, 2025. This is due to a change in the legislative calendar. I am looking forward to seeing you there.
GET IN THE FIGHT, STAY IN THE FIGHT, JOIN THE ISRA
To Join the ISRA, Go To: https://isra.org/join-us/
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 heros 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.
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 1 – Feb 2, 2025 Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL.
Feb 8 – Feb 9, 2025 Quad Cities Gun Show, QCCA Expo Center, Rock Island, IL.
Feb 9, 2025 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL.
Feb 15 – Feb 16, 2025 Central Illinois Gun Collectors New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL.
Mar 1 – Mar 2, 2025 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee Co. Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL.
Mar 7 – Mar 8, 2025 Prairieland Frontiersman Show, Sullivan American Legion, Sullivan, IL.
Mar 9, 2025 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL.
Mar 29 – Mar 30, 2025 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.
April 5 – April 6, 2025 Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe, IL.
April 13, 2025 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL.
May 17 – May 18, 2025 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee Co. Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL.
June 6 – June 8, 2025 Pecatonica Gun Show, Winnebago County Fairgrounds, Pecatonica, IL.
ISRA Grassroots Monthly Meetings
Come and meet fellow activists and learn the latest on protecting our Second Amendment Rights!
Northwest Suburban – 3rd Tues – Golden Corral, 1591 S. Randall Rd., Algonquin, IL; Doors open 6pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm
South Suburban/Cook County – 2nd Thurs – Kenootz Pizza, 4659 147th St., Midlothian, IL; Doors open 6:30pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm
Will County – 3rd Wed – Silver Dollar Restaurant, 422 E. Mississippi Ave., Elwood, IL; Doors open 6pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm
Livingston County – Last Saturday of the month – South Post Guns, 104 Livingston Rd., Streator, IL; Social Hour 4:30pm – 5:30pm; Meeting 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Stand Strong &
Thank you for being a member!
If you are not an ISRA member, join today
Donate: https://isra.org/support-us/
Upcoming Meetings: https://isra.org/isra-activities-and-events/
Upcoming Range Events: https://isra.org/the-range/#range-calendar