July 10, 2025
Hunting Season Is Almost Here
The 4th of July seems to have come so suddenly. Summer will soon slip into fall. The good news is that hunting season is just around the corner.
August 1st brings squirrel season, followed by dove season on September 1st. Dove season is a great time. You might think you are a great wing shot, and you might be, but if you really want to find out, go dove hunting. September 6th is the State of Illinois Teal Season in the northern and central zones. Be sure to check the IDNR Hunting Guide for all of these seasons.
I’m already getting ads for the latest waterfowl ammunition. Soon I will be getting information on all kinds of hunting equipment and, of course, the latest camo patterns. Outdoor stores will be having hunting specials which are always fun to attend. These specials are a great time to pick up firearms, ammunition, clothing, trail cameras and all kinds of other gadgets and gizmos.
One great addition for deer hunters is the addition of straight-walled rifle cartridges. Firearms that use straight walled cartridges, like Winchester’s 350 and 400 Legend and Remington’s 360 Buckhammer, recoil less and are generally easier to handle than traditional slug guns. Last year, straight walled firearms and ammunition became harder to find the closer it came to opening day of deer season. Buy early.
Don’t forget to include your children and grandchildren in all your hunting season activities. Hunting season is a great family activity where memories are made. This is also a great opportunity to get the family out shooting in preparation for hunting season. The best time of the year is coming, enjoy it.
Ninth Circuit Panel Upholds Injunction In
Junior Sports v. Bonta – SAF Win
Excerpt from Second Amendment Foundation Alert:
On July 7, 2025, a three-judge panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had unanimously upheld an earlier preliminary injunction against a section of the California Business & Professional Code which had been used by the state to stifle advertising in Junior Sports magazine, in a case brought by the Second Amendment Foundation and others. The case is known as Junior Sports Magazines v. Bonta.
At issue is California Business and Professions Code § 22949.80, which prohibits advertising of any “firearm-related product in a manner that is designed, intended, or reasonably appears to be attractive to minors.” The Appeals Court had earlier held that this section violates the First Amendment, but upon remand, the district court “declined to preliminarily enjoin subsection (b) of Section 22949.80, which prevents the firearm industry from compiling or using personal information of minors for marketing purposes.” They clarified that their constitutional analysis applied to the entirety of Section 22949.80.
“This is great news from the Ninth Circuit,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “While this is a First Amendment case, it has strong Second Amendment overtones. Simply because California officials don’t agree with our pro-gun viewpoint, they have no right to essentially gag free speech or freedom of the press, in this case the content of Junior Sports Magazines.”
To view the article on SAF’s website, Click HERE.
Litigation Update
The Harrel appeal ( Caleb Barnett, et al v. Kwame Raoul, et al ) has been set for argument on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 2 p.m. in the Main Courtroom, Room 2721, of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 219 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois. Each side limited to 45 minutes.
Donate to Legal Assistance HERE!
Not an ISRA member? Join the ISRA and support 2A rights in Illinois HERE
Legislative Update
The Illinois Legislature is not in session.
You can follow along by clicking the ISRA Legislation Page.
Volunteers Needed For AIM Youth Program Shoot By July 18th
The ISRA is one of the proud sponsors of the Academics Integrity Marksmanship (AIM) program youth shoot at the World Shooting Complex in Sparta, Illinois. This is one of the premier youth shooting events in the United States.
To make this program work, the ISRA needs 20 volunteers a day to help at this event. The volunteers will be helping load magazines, assist the kids shooting and, of course, making sure everyone is safe. The dates of the event are Friday, July 25th, and Saturday the 26th. The times are from 8:30am to 5:00pm on Friday and 9:30am to 5:00pm on Saturday. Lunches and refreshments will be provided but, if you have special dietary needs, you should bring your own special items. You will receive a special ISRA volunteer hat and an ISRA goody bag. You will also receive a work day card which will be entered into a drawing for a new Ruger 10-22. If you work both days, you will receive two chances to win the Ruger 10-22.
Please call the office at 815-635-3198 and ask for Laura or Mel, as soon as possible. You can also send an email to member@isra.org with your information (name, address, phone number, email address and availability). We will need to have the final roster completed by July 18th.
This is one of those events that helps Pass the Torch of Freedom to the next generation. I look forward to seeing you there!
ISRA’s 122nd Anniversary Commemorative Coin Raffle
This year’s challenge coin memorializes “The Shot Heard Round the World”. Eighty armed patriots had the courage to stand against the most powerful empire the world had ever known. This emphasizes the importance of the 2nd Amendment and the birth of the United States of America.
Right now, we all realize we are in the fight of our lives. We are fighting to preserve the 2nd Amendment on every level: local, state, and national. It is not news that this battle takes money. The fight has become very expensive, and we need every penny to keep the fight going.
When you purchase this year’s challenge coin, you are helping fund our side of the battle that we are in. You will also be entered into a drawing for 122 great prizes. There is one terrific prize for every year of our existence. The more tickets you purchase gives you additional chances to win a prize and help us fight on to victory. Your entry must be postmarked by August 13th, 2025. The winning tickets will be drawn August 20th, 2025, at the Illinois State Rifle Association headquarters.
To enter online, CLICK HERE
ISRA’s “250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War”
Muzzleloader Raffle
We are pleased to offer a Pennsylvania Rifle for the 250th Anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War. The Pennsylvania Rifle, and the people who carried them, played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War. Their marksmanship was exemplary. Many of the sharpshooters in the Revolutionary War were from Pennsylvania and used Pennsylvania rifles. Most famous of these is Patrick Murphy who shot and killed British General Patrick Ferguson at a range of 300 yards using his Pennsylvania Flint Lock Rifle. In commemoration of this 250th Anniversary, we’re pleased to offer 5 prizes that include:
1st Prize: Traditions Pennsylvania Carbine Rifle- .50 Cal Percussion & Midway Deluxe Padded 54″ Gun Case
2nd Prize: ISRA Custom Engraved BUCK Hunting Knife
3rd Prize: ISRA Custom Engraved BUCK Hunting Knife
4th Prize: ISRA Black Powder Hat
5th Prize: ISRA Black Powder Hat
To enter online, CLICK HERE.
ISRA Memorial Brick Fundraiser – Honor Your Mentors
We all have people in our lives who have influenced our lives in a positive manner, we do not want them forgotten. My father is a perfect example, he taught me how to shoot, hunt, and many other life lessons. He was a WWII veteran with two purple hearts, I did not want him to be forgotten.
To remember people like my father and those in your life that have made a positive impact over the years the ISRA has established a Memorial Brick Project. The memorial bricks are laid out around the flagpole at the ISRA Range in Bonfield, IL, which is located near Kankakee, IL.
Please look over the attached flier and consider buying a brick for someone who has made a difference in your life.
For more info or to order your commemorative brick today, CLICK HERE.
“I am frequently asked if the ISRA sells our membership list.The answer is absolutely not.” ~ Richard Pearson
Free Digital Addition of “Midwest Outdoors Magazine” for ISRA Members
Beginning in May, for all current members who receive our email, a digital copy of “Midwest Outdoors Magazine” will be available to you for FREE! You will receive an email from them at the beginning of each month with a link to the online magazine. If you were to purchase this, it would be $9.95 per year, but this is just another of the benefits of being an ISRA member. You can always opt out if you care to do so.
Register NOW for ISRA Academy CCL Renewals
Do not miss out on the ISRA Academy featuring CCL renewals each month. Be sure to pre-register by checking the ISRA Range Calendar for times/dates and clicking on the event of your choice for more info.
Click here for ISRA Range or call the ISRA Offices for more info at 815-635-3198.
Education & Training @ ISRA Range, Bonfield, IL.
July 18 (Friday) NRA Basic Pistol – Range 1 & Clubhouse 8:30am-5pm
July 19 (Saturday) NRA Basic Instructor Training (BIT) – Clubhouse 8:30am-2:30pm
July 20 (Sunday) NRA Basic Pistol Instructor – Range 1 & Clubhouse 8am-6pm
July 26 (Saturday) CCL Renewal & Qualification – Clubhouse 1pm-4pm
July 27 (Sunday) NRA Certified Range Safety Officer Class – Clubhouse 8:30am-6pm
August 10 (Sunday) CCL Renewal & Qualification – Range 11, Clubhouse 1pm-4pm
August 14 (Thursday) IDNR Hunter Safety Course – Clubhouse 5pm-8pm
August 16 (Saturday) IDNR Hunter Safety Course – Clubhouse & Range 1 8am-4:30pm
August 22 (Friday) NRA Basic Rifle Shooting Course – Range 11 & Clubhouse 8:30am-5pm
August 23 (Saturday) NRA Basic Instructor Training (BIT) – Clubhouse 8:30am-2:30pm
August 23 (Saturday) ISRA Pistol Training 201 Course – Range 8 8am-5pm
August 24 (Sunday) NRA Basic Rifle Instructor – Range 11 & Clubhouse 8:30am-6pm
August 27 (Wednesday) CCL Renewal & Qualification – Range 11, Clubhouse 9am-12pm
August 29-31 (Friday-Sunday) Rangemaster 3-Day Firearms Instructor Development & Certification Course
October 2-5 (Thursday-Sunday) Massad Ayoob’s MAG-40 Course
*** 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.
World Shooting and Recreational Complex (WSRC) Events
Located at: 1 Main Event Lane, Unit 502-503, Sparta, IL 62286
SPARTA Events – WSRC
August 3 (Sunday) NRA Certified Range Safety Officer Class – 8am – 6pm
Women Only Classes at WSRC
August 2 (Saturday) Intermediate Pistol Class – 8am – 2pm
October 10 (Friday) “Refuse To Be A Victim” – 5pm – 9pm
October 11 (Saturday) NRA Basic Pistol – 8:30am – 5pm
October 12 (Sunday) NRA Basic Rifle – 8:30am – 5pm
GET IN THE FIGHT, STAY IN THE FIGHT, JOIN THE ISRA
To Join the ISRA, Go To: https://isra.org/join-us/
July 10, 1943 – The Allied invasion of Europe begins with the invasion of Sicily. American General George Patton invaded the south coast of Sicily and British General Bernard Montgomery invaded the southeast coast of Sicily.
July 11, 1804 – Aaron Burr kills Alexander Hamilton in a duel. Hamilton and Burr were political rivals. Alexander Hamilton constantly attacked the character of Aaron Burr. Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel. However, Hamilton was against dueling, thinking it was morally wrong, and so deliberately fired his shot high. Burr did not, shooting Hamilton in the stomach. Hamilton died the next day.
Hamilton was probably right in criticizing Aaron Burr. In 1806, Burr, along with General Wilkinson who was in charge of the Louisiana Territory, tried to seize the Territory and break away from the United States. Burr was arrested and tried for treason but was released on a technicality.
July 12, 1861 – Wild Bill Hickcok established his reputation as a gunfighter in a shoot-out with three men in Nebraska. James Butler Hickcok had moved to Kansas in 1855 at the age of 18. He took a job to make ends meet and became a skilled marksman. While Bill was not looking for trouble, he was always ready to defend himself.
In July 1861, he was working at a stage depot in Nebraska called Rock Creek Station. Near Rock Creek Station, a fellow by the name of David McCanles, who disliked Wild Bill for some reason and often called him “Duck Bill” to harass him, had a mind to get even with Hickcok for dating his girlfriend. So, on July 12, McCanles and two of his buddies set out to teach Wild Bill a lesson. Their plan did not work out the way they had planned. Wild Bill shot McCanles in the chest, killing him, then shot one of his buddies twice and wounded the third man. Wild Bill’s friends, who also worked at the Rock Creek Station, finished them off. Another happy ending…..
July 12, 1862 – Abraham Lincoln signs into law a resolution calling for the awarding of the United States Army Medal of Honor in the name of Congress. In 1863, the Medal of Honor became a permanent military decoration available to all members of the United States military.
July 13, 1787 – Congress enacts the Northwest Ordinance. The Northwest Ordinance was a plan to develop 3 to 5 states northeast of the Mississippi River. One of those states was Illinois.
July 14, 1789 – The French Revolution begins when the people storm the Bastille, a famous French prison.
July 15, 1903 – Ford Motor Company takes it’s first sales order from Chicago dentist, Dr. Ernest Pfennig. The cost for the two-seater “Model A” with a back seat was $850. The car was delivered one week later.
July 16, 1779 – American Brigadier General Anthony Wayne led a charge ending in victory at Stony Point, New York. The British had considered Stony Point to be an impregnable position. Nevertheless, Wayne attacked with 1200 light infantry. The Colonial Army had 15 killed and 83 wounded while the British Army suffered 94 killed and 472 captured. The battle lasted only 30 minutes. General Wayne used only bayonets in the attack. His daring earned him the nickname “Mad Anthony Wayne”.
July 16, 1790 – Congress declares, through the “Residence Act”, that the new United States capital will be built in a swamp along the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia. It’s still a swamp.
July 16, 1945 – The first atomic bomb is tested at Alamogordo, New Mexico. The successful test was also the official end of the Manhattan Project.
Other Events & 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 20, 2025 National Civil War, Military, and Collector Arms Show, DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton, IL.
Sept 27 – Sept 28, 2025 Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sprotsmen’s Club House, Chillicothe, IL.
Sept 27 – Sept 28, 2025 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee County Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL.
Oct 4 – 5, 2025 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association – New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL.
Oct 12, 2025 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL.
Oct 25 – Oct 26, 2025 Belleville Gun & Knife Show, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville, IL.
Oct 25 – Oct 26, 2025 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.
Nov 1 – Nov 2, 2025 Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL.
Nov 9, 2025 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL.
Nov 22 – Nov 23, 2025 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee County Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL.
Nov 29 – Nov 30, 2025 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association – New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL.
Nov 29 – Nov 30, 2025 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.
Dec 6 – Dec 7, 2025 Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sprotsmen’s Club House, Chillicothe, IL.
Sept 13 – Sept 14, 2025 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee County Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL.
Dec 14, 2025 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.
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, 601 S. Randall Rd., Elgin, 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 – 4th 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