June 12, 2025
A Second Amendment Victory!
Statement by the ISRA:
“The U.S. Supreme court has rejected Mexico’s $10 billion lawsuit against U.S. gun manufacturers, including Smith & Wesson – which falsely claims they are fueling cartel violence by facilitating illegal gun trafficking.
The highest court in the land recognizes our 2nd Amendment rights; and today – they also recognize our industry’s legal protections.”
The Supreme Court also recognized that AR-15, AK-47, and .50 caliber rifles are both widely legal and bought by many ordinary consumers. *
The Supreme Court recognition of these facts are very important.
* – “assault weapons, among which it includes AR–15 rifles, AK–47 rifles, and .50 caliber sniper rifles. See supra, at 6; App. to Pet. for Cert. 121a. But those products are both widely legal and bought by many ordinary consumers. (The AR–15 is the most popular rifle in the country. See T. Gross, How the AR–15 Became the Bestselling Rifle in the U. S., NPR (Apr. 20, 2023.)”
Citibank Drops Anti-Gun Policy After Pressure
Posted on June 4, 2025 by F. Riehl, Editor-in-chief, Ammoland.com
After mounting pressure from politicians and the public, Citibank has officially reversed its 2018 policy of restricting service to firearm-related businesses in a statement made on June 3, 2025, by Edward Skyler, Head of Enterprise Services & Public Affairs for Citibank. Regulatory developments, Trump executive orders and a renewed push by the new administration for fair access to banking for ALL businesses, spurred Citibank to rethink its official position, which it had held since the aftermath of the Parkland School shooting in 2018.
With the recent introduction of the Freedom Financing Act by Sen. Kevin Cramer and Rep. Roger Williams, which prevents banks and lending institutions from discriminating against gun-related businesses and the gun industry overall, Citibank was forced to rethink its stand. Republican-led states also turned up the heat by passing their own legislation, such as Firearm Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Acts, which barred any banks found to be discriminating against lawful gun-related businesses from partaking in the competition for public contracts. Through these restrictions, Citibank lost over $3.4 billion in municipal bond contracts in Louisiana alone.
This reversal by Citibank is a good example of how, when gun owners, businesses and elected leaders come together to push back against corporate overreach, accountability and fairness can return to banking and other corporate sectors. It takes all of us, coming together, to continue to push for fair firearms legislation and business practices.
To view the full story online, go HERE
Litigation Update
Our brief for the Harrel v Raoul lawsuit has been filed. This lawsuit challenges the PICA law, also known as the (so-called) weapons ban.
You may download and read the brief PDF from the link under the headline “Harrel v. Raoul (Illinois PICA Gun Ban – ISRA’s case combined with 3 other cases: Barnett/Langley/FFL-IL v. Raoul)” on the ISRA Litigation Page – HERE.
Donate to Legal Assistance HERE!
Legislative Update
The Illinois Legislature is not in session.
You can follow along by clicking the ISRA Legislation Page.
Illinois Waterfowl Blind Drawings Sites and Schedule for 2025
Mark your calendars! The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will be hosting traditional blind drawings at various sites across Illinois this year. Participants are advised to watch the IDNR site and follow any site-specific drawing procedures.
There are particular instructions that must be followed to allow one to be included in these drawings. Water fowl hunters MUST register in person for the site drawings and must be present at the drawing held at each location immediately after the registration period to claim their blind sites.
Dates for the blind drawings are as follows: Sunday, July 20 – Saturday, July 26 – Sunday, July 27 – Saturday, August 2
IMPORTANT! – Check dates on the IDNR website for your specific location and time of drawing!
Go to the IDNR website to read more about the 2025 blind drawings, qualifications for registration and schedule for Illinois – HERE
“Good People” Make Easy Targets For Evil People
There are still those who refuse to understand the nature of evil. They believe they are immune to being attacked, robbed, raped or murdered because they are “good people”. You may be “good people”…your children may be “good people” and, probably, most people you know are “good people”… but “good people” are just the kind of people predators like to attack. They are easy targets because they are usually unprepared, both mentally and physically. Moreover, they are given lame advice, like “run-hide-fight”, which only delays an attack but doesn’t stop the attack. In fact, I believe it encourages more attacks.
Appeasement never works. Predators never stop attacking until the prey turns and effectively fights back. Even apex predators don’t like the idea of getting hurt.
As human beings we have the ability to fight back. Surviving is more than just a mental choice. You can decide you want to survive but, unless you equip yourself with the mental and physical tools to fight back, you are just prey. There is no such thing as making peace with evil. Evil has to be destroyed. It is the only way.
“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.
Empowering First Shots – June 21 & 22
Ladies, it’s time to take aim and boost your confidence! Join us for a FREE, women’s-only shooting event led by female instructors who are passionate about empowering women in the world of shooting sports. No experience needed!
A safety briefing will be conducted at the beginning of your time slot, followed by one-on-one instruction on the range. Expect to be at the range 2-3 hours.
What to Expect:
ISRA Academy Youth Shooting Sports Camp – June 29
This youth camp is for girls and boys ages 10-16, on June 29, 11am to 5pm. Youth camp provides everything needed to give safety instruction, basics of pistol, rifle, shotgun, and black powder, all under the guidance of NRA instructors and range safety officers. Snacks, drinks and lunch, firearms, ammunition, and targets are provided. Class is limited to 40 students. Cost: $50. You must pre-register by June 20, 2025.
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.
June 14 (Saturday) Holster Skills & Drills – Range 11 – 12pm-4pm
June 21- 22 (Saturday & Sunday) Empowering First Shots – Range 1, 2, Pavilion, Clubhouse 9am – 6pm
June 28 (Saturday) CCL Renewal & Qualification – Range 11, Clubhouse 1pm-4pm
June 29 (Sunday) Youth Shooting Sports Camp – Range 1,2,6, Pavilion, Clubhouse 11am – 5pm
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 8:30am-6pm
July 27 (Sunday) NRA Certified Range Safety Officer Class – Clubhouse 8:30am-2:30pm
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 Rifle Instructor – Range 11 & Clubhouse 8:30am-6pm
August 23 (Saturday) ISRA Pistol Training 201 Course – Range 8 8am-5pm
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
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/
June 12, 1944 – All five Allied landing groups that took part in the D-Day invasion link up in northwestern France. By this time, more troops had landed and the total solid force was 330,000 troops. The Allied landing forces that made up D-Day and the reinforcements eventually reached 3 million men.
June 13, 1944 – Germany launches the first V-1 flying bombs. They were nicknamed “Buzz Bombs” because of the sound they made when they were coming in.
June 13, 1777 – The Continental Congress authorizes the enlistment of expert riflemen to serve the United colonies for one year in the just launched U.S. Army, which was America’s first national institution established more than a year before the Declaration of Independence.
Happy 250th anniversary to the United States Army!
June 14, 1775 – The Continental Congress adopted the resolution stating that the flag of the United States shall be 13 alternating stripes of red and white and the Union shall be 13 stars on a field of blue. Betsy Ross designed the new flag at the request of George Washington. Historians have not been able to prove whether or not this is true.
June 14, 1877 – The first Flag Day was observed on the 100th anniversary of the stars and stripes. Be sure you fly the flag on June 14th.
June 15, 1775 – The Continental Congress votes to have George Washington lead the newly formed Continental Army.
June 15, 1215 – King John of England is forced to sign the Magna Carta. This document is seen as the cornerstone of democracy. The Magna Carta also states that a person could only be tried by a assembly of his peers, which became the cornerstone of trial by jury.
June 16, 1903 – Ford Motor Company is officially incorporated on this date at 9:30 a.m.
June 18, 1775 – Just a few weeks after the “shot heard around the world”, the Battle of Bunker Hill begins. The American troops were under the command of Colonel William Prescott, who reportedly said the famous line “don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” At 40 yards, Americans unleashed lethal musket fire, driving the British back in retreat. General Thomas Gage reformed his troops and led his men up the hill. The American troops, low on ammunition, were out-numbered by the British and were forced to engage in hand-to-hand combat.
The Patriots were eventually driven back, but the British had suffered nearly 1000 casualties, including 92 of their officers. The Patriots lost 370 troops, a majority of which were shot in the back while retreating.
June 18, 1812 – The War of 1812 begins. The British couldn’t get used to the idea that the United States was a free, independent country. We had to take them to school again.
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