July 31, 2025
A Big Win—Watch President Doug Mayhall’s Update and Stay Connected
President Doug Mayhall just released a brief YouTube statement on the Justice Department’s support for our lawsuit against Illinois’ rifle ban. It’s an important update that spells out why this moment matters for every law-abiding gun owner in our state. Please take two minutes to watch his message and share it with friends who care about the Second Amendment. To view the video, CLICK HERE.
While you’re there, hit the red “Subscribe” button on our channel. We post quick briefs on court filings, action alerts from Springfield, and range safety tips—straight to your phone the moment they go live. Subscribing is the easiest way to stay ahead of the next vote or hearing.
If your ISRA membership has lapsed—or if you haven’t joined us yet—now’s the time. Membership dollars fuel our legal fights, youth programs, and grassroots action across Illinois. It takes less than two minutes to stand with 2.5 million responsible firearm owners.
Not an ISRA member? Join the ISRA and support 2A rights in Illinois – CLICK HERE.
Memories From The Firing Line
I just got back from Sparta Illinois and the Grand American Trapshooting Championships. The three and a half firing line is amazing. If you ever get a chance, you should go down and see it. What a great event. Just for the record, the ISRA was instrumental in bringing the Grand American to Illinois. I was in Sparta to get the ISRA office opened up and support the AIM action shooting event. AIM is an acronym for “Academics – Integrity – Marksmanship”, which is the youth program for the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA). The ISRA is a co-sponsor with ATA in the Winchester Repeating Arms Rifle Challenge.
Before I go any further, I want to thank the 65 plus volunteers that put on AIM event. Our reward is that 325 or more young shooters participated in this on event. This is one of the largest youth events in the United States. As for as the AIM Trapshooting Championships, there were over 500 participants. Outstanding. Absolutely outstanding.
I have been in competitive shooting for many years. Rifle, pistol or shotgun, i have done all of them. There is something I have noticed about young people in the shooting sports. They are polite, respectful and hard working. I am always glad to be around them. Firearm owners and their families are favorite targets of the left wing politicians’ and their fellow travelers in the media. They criticize our lifestyle because we enjoy owning and shooting firearms. They characterize us as low-lifes or Neanderthals. They are dead wrong. Law abiding, gun owning families are the finest people you will find, period. They are hardworking and care deeply about their families.
What the left never likes to talk about is the fact that their idiotic policies are destroying the family structure in the United States. Some children coming out of these messed-up, liberal relationships and institutions are often just a couple of notches from being cannibals. I know I’m not supposed to say that, but it is the truth.
Take extra time to involve your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews in the shooting sports. Be with them, mentor them, be firm and let you know you love them. You and they will be better off for it.
Litigation Update
All of our litigation is proceeding. We are preparing for our oral arguments in The Harrel et al v Rauol et al on September 22, 2025. I want to thank all of those who are supporting our efforts.
Support ISRA Legal efforts by donating HERE.
Not an ISRA member? Join the ISRA and support 2A rights in Illinois – CLICK HERE.
Legislative Update
The Illinois Legislature is not in session at this time.
You can follow along by clicking the ISRA Legislation Page.
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.
Winner does not have to be present to win and will be notified. Dues and donations to the ISRA are NOT tax deductible. You have 90 days from the drawing to pick up your prize(s). All winners of firearms must comply with all federal, state, and local laws. Good luck to all!
To enter online, CLICK HERE.
Sighting-In Day Raffle
Once again, we are pleased to announce our “Sighting-In Day” raffle for a Savage Axis II 350 Legend w/scope and other great prizes. Tickets are only $10 a piece and entering is easy – enter online, by phone or by mail! Entries by mail must be postmarked by October 13, 2025. The drawing is at 1pm on October 21, 2025.
One need not be present to win and winner will be notified. Dues & donations to the ISRA are NOT tax deductible. Winner of firearm must comply with all federal, state, and local laws. You have 90 days from the drawing to claim firearm. Good luck to all!
To enter online, CLICK HERE.
M1 Garand Rifle Raffle
We are also pleased to announce our M1 Garand Expert Rifle Raffle with WWII U.S. Army M1923 M1 Garand rifle cartridge belt. Tickets are $20 per chance, 3 for $50, 8 for $100, etc. The winning ticket will be drawn on November 11, 2025.
One need not be present to win and winner will be notified. Dues & donations to the ISRA are NOT tax deductible. Winner of firearm must comply with all federal, state, and local laws. You have 90 days from the drawing to claim firearm. Good luck to all!
To Enter online, CLICK HERE , or call the ISRA office for more details at 815-635-3198.
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. The most famous of these is Patrick Murphy, who shot and killed British General Patrick Ferguson in the Battle of Kings Mountain. Murphy made the shot, at a range of 300 yards, using his Pennsylvania Flint Lock Rifle.
One need not be present to win and winner will be notified. Dues & donations to the ISRA are NOT tax deductible. Winner of firearm must comply with all federal, state, and local laws. You have 90 days from the drawing to claim firearm. Good luck to all!
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.
Upcoming 2025 ISRA State Championships
August 9th and 10th (Saturday & Sunday) – Illinois State Outdoor Precision Pistol Championship
For more info, CLICK HERE
August 23rd and August 24th (Saturday & Sunday) – Illinois State Smallbore Championship
For more info, CLICK HERE
September 6th & 7th (Saturday & Sunday) – Illinois State F Class Championship
For more info, CLICK HERE
September 20th (Saturday) – Illinois State Short Course Championship
For more info, CLICK HERE
October 11th (Saturday) – Illinois State Black Powder State Championship
For more info, CLICK HERE
Register NOW for ISRA Pistol 201
Registration is open for the ISRA Pistol 201 Course on Saturday, August 23, 2025, with instructor David Diller. The course covers a range of topics in a classroom setting, as well as practical exercises, dry fire training and live fire training at the ISRA Range. Please CLICK HERE to register online or call us the ISRA office ASAP. It is a terrific course!
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.
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
The ISRA office is 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 31, 1975 – Jimmy Hoffa, famed leader of the Teamsters Union, goes missing. No part of his body was ever found, and my guess is, it will never be.
August 1, 1861 – Robert Fitzroy makes the world’s first weather forecast. Fitzroy served in British Navy and was tasked to observe and give weather reports to aid in preventing the massive loss of life every year on the oceans. In a five year period, more than 7400 shipwrecks occurred near the British coast. His “weather forecast”, a term he coined, became very popular and were followed and counted on by those putting on events such as fairs, flower shows, agricultural events and horse races. His first forecast predicted “62 degrees and sunny” for London. Hmmm…I wonder if it snowed that day.
August 2, 1776 – Delegates sign an enlarged version of the Declaration of Independence. Eight days later, the news of the signing reached London. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall in King George’s throne room.
August 2, 1918 – United States troops land at Archangel in northern Russia. They are part of an Allied intervention in the civil war raging in Russia at the time. The Allied powers were worried that the Bolsheviks, also known as the “Reds”, would defeat those in favor of the monarchy, also known as the “Whites”. It was too little, too late.
August 3, 1482 – Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain. History reports the expedition had three ships, the Santa Maria, the Pinta and the Nina. What history forgot was that Columbus actually had four ships, the fourth being the Saint Paulo…the lead ship that sailed off the edge of the Earth.
August 4, 1784 – Russia begins to settle Alaska. Russian food trader, Grigory Shelikhov, establishes the first permanent Russian settlement on Kodiak Island.
August 5, 1962 – Actress Marilyn Monroe is found dead in her Los Angeles home. The police determined she had overdosed on pills which she took for her depression, but further study indicated there was foul play. What really happened was so deep, none of us will ever know.
August 6, 1945 – The first atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. The United States hoped to end the war quickly. It was estimated that invasion of Japan would cause the United States 10 million casualties. The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima is estimated to have killed 80,000 people.
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