July 3, 2025
Defending Our Freedoms This 4th of July – My Two Cents
The 249th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is here. The Declaration of Independence, and Revolutionary War that followed, is history’s most magnificent example of a people standing up for individual freedom and the sovereignty of their new country, the United States of America.
In the last two and a half centuries, we have endured many attacks on our freedoms, both externally and internally. The internal attacks come from all sorts of people and groups. Some U.S. citizens like government control because they are weak and do not like or want the responsibility of individual freedom. Hard to believe but true. There are others that think the United States is just a cash cow to be milked, and they don’t care if they milk it to death. Then, of course, there are simply old-fashioned anarchists who go by a new label.
We see rioters in our streets, buildings being torched, and vandalism of all sorts. Remember these people are not doing this by themselves. These are not spontaneous riots, these are events that are being financed and led by paid professionals. The culprits behind all of this are elitists who are actually communists. The Russian Federation is run by oligarchs, and they want to do the same thing to the United States. We are fortunate to have the Second Amendment. These elitist oligarchs hate the Second Amendment because it gives the people the ability to strike back at those who would steal the freedoms so many Americans fought for over our country’s history. Every minute of every day, the precious freedoms that are defined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, must be defended. A sobering thought, I know, but it is a small price to pay to maintain our freedom and to live in the greatest country the world has ever seen.
Happy 4th of July!
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.
Support ISRA Legal efforts by Donating 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.
Victory For Public Lands: You CAN Make A Difference
From the National Wild Turkey Federation ( nwtf.org ), Edgefield, South Carolina – email alert, June 29, 2025.
“In a late-night course change Saturday, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) withdrew his proposal to sell off federal public lands from the Senate’s budget omnibus bill, thanks to your unwavering dedication and powerful voices.
The National Wild Turkey Federation is grateful to our members, partners and supporters who united to protect our shared natural heritage. Thousands of you took action — sending letters, making phone calls and leveraging your personal networks of friends, family and businesses — to send a clear message to Congress: These are our public lands, and we WILL have a say in how/if they are sold.
Your efforts reminded lawmakers that these lands are a cherished public trust, a unique treasure that belongs to all Americans and sets our nation apart. This victory demonstrates the influence of your voices and the strength of our community when we unite for a common cause.
Thank you for standing up and speaking loudly!
Continue to advocate for issues that are important to you and our hunting/conservation community.”
See? When the people come together and speak loudly, in unison, big things can happen! It is imperative that we, as citizens, voters and law-abiding firearms owners, use our voices and talents to protect not only our rights and the rights of all, but all that has been entrusted to us. And a big thank you to Senator Lee!
Annual 4th of July “Independence Day 800” at the ISRA Range
Come join us at the ISRA Range in Bonfield, Illinois on July 4th for the “Independence Day 800” tournament. The tournament is open to all shooters. Advanced entries are not required but entries close on July 4th at 7:30am. Entry fee is $25. It is always a fun day.
For more information and to download the program index, click HERE, or call the ISRA office for more details.
Reminder – Range Work Day – July 5th
Range Work Day is Saturday, July 5th, from 8am – 4pm. Be sure to mark your calendar! We will be working on target framework and groundskeeping.
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 Around 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 4 (Friday) Annual 4 of July “Independence Day 800” – Range 3 & Pavilion 7am-1pm
July 5 (Saturday) Range Work Day – Range 8am-4pm
July 13 (Sunday) CCL Renewal & Qualification – Range 11, Clubhouse 1pm-4pm
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 3, 1775 – George Washington takes command of the Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
July 3, 1863 – The Battle of Gettysburg ends when Confederate General George Pickett is commanded by General Robert E. Lee to attack the center of the Union line on Cemetery Ridge. This was known as “Pickett’s Charge”. Union artillery, as well as rifle fire, cut down the army of Northern Virginia. In less than an hour, more than 7,000 troops had been killed. A few reached the Union lines and were dead almost immediately. General Lee and his exhausted troops withdraw.
July 4, 1976 – The United States celebrates it’s 200th anniversary. One of my most memorable experiences was a Freedom Train coming to Peoria, Illinois. There were two Freedom Trains, one east of the Mississippi and one west of the Mississippi. They were rebuilt steam engines and were a sight to see.
July 4, 1884 – France gives the Statue of Liberty to the Unites States as a commemoration of friendship between France and the U.S. The ceremony was held in Paris, France. The statue stands slightly over 150 feet high and weighs 225 tons. The outside in hammered sheets of copper over a steel framework. The sculptor was Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. The framework was built by Gustave Eiffel, who would later design and build the Eiffel Tower.
July 5, 1921 – The trial begins for indicted White Sox players “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, Buck Weaver and Eddie Cicotte, who were accused of throwing the 1919 World Series. The scandal came to light when the gamblers didn’t pay the players as promised. What brought about the scandal was that the players were seriously underpaid by White Sox owner, Charles Comiskey. What a shock it is to find out that a professional Chicago sports team would underpay their players.
July 5, 1937 – The Hormel meat company introduces everybody’s favorite canned luncheon meat, Spam.
July 6, 1785 – The Continental Congress establishes the dollar as the official standard of currency for the United States. It also established a base-10 monetary system based on ten cents making a dime and ten dimes making a dollar.
July 8, 1950 – The City of Paris, France, celebrates it’s 2000th birthday. The city’s founders were a Gallic tribe known as the Parisii.
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