June 19, 2024
Defend Yourself – Get A Gun
A Chicago mother who called 911 after two masked men broke into her home, reportedly had to wait more than four hours before police officers arrived. The woman was told to wait outside her home, and that a unit had been dispatched. After five additional calls and many hours later, she asked to be put through to a supervisor. The supervisor said, “sorry to say we have no units to send you”. He also recommended to call her alderman and encourage the hiring of more police. She was then steered towards being her own first responder, and asked, “would she consider defending herself, and did she have a weapon or would she consider getting one.”
It is not just or fair for anyone to have to be provided protection – for the sole reason of not “being a priority situation”, but unfortunately, it is the truth in today’s world. Crime is up 38% year-to-date since 2019. Crime is up everywhere. The most realistic advice is: Best to get a weapon and be prepared to defend yourself!
Protect Yourself Against Attackers
Concealed carry license holders in Chicago are fighting back. Last weekend, three concealed carry holders fired at would-be attackers, defending their own life.
In one case, a guy broke into the concealed carry holder’s home where the perpetrator was shot. In another incident, three men attacked and were beating a concealed carry holder, who was able to shoot all three of them. In a carjacking incident, three men with guns drawn attacked a third concealed carry holder. The concealed carry holder immediately fired shots at the car as it fled.
As I keep reminding everyone, the chances are greater and greater that you’ll be attacked by more than one person. A firearm is the only way to defend yourself against these attackers, and if you haven’t got a concealed carry license, you should do that now. The world isn’t getting any better. There is no reason you need to be a victim.
A New Day Dawns at the NRA
As most of you are probably aware, the big news came from the NRA Board of Directors meeting on Monday, May 20, in which the leadership -changed hands resulting in new faces and direction for the 153-year-old Association. First Vice-President is now Bob Barr, First VP Chair is Bill Bachenberg, 2nd VP chair is Mark Vaughan, and the position of Interim Executive Vice President and CEO is Doug Hamlin.
This change in leadership bodes well for the NRA. Members have been deeply troubled by lawsuits and scandals for the past five years. During that time, the NRA’s highest echelons had reportedly spent in excess of $200 million on mismanagement and blatant corruption. Because of this, many of us couldn’t, in good conscience, advise anyone to join the NRA or make extra contributions. Not surprisingly, membership and revenues have fallen precipitously.
I am glad to report that recovery has begun. Although, I can’t blame anyone for being skeptical, but don’t wait too long. The NRA’s new leadership is trying hard to restore faith and trust in the Association, rebuild basic services, and prove they will be, once again, one of the most renowned institutions for gun rights in this country.
Illinois Legislative News
The General Assembly’s Fall veto session will be November 12 – 14 and November 19 – 21. The new legislature will be seated on the second Wednesday in January 2025. A few days before, there will be a Lame Duck session of the Illinois General Assembly. Lame Duck sessions are always the most dangerous time for citizens and their rights. We will keep you posted.
Litigation Updates
There are Three Court Cases that May be Decided in the Supreme Court of the United States by the End of June, or the First Week in July. The decisions in all three of these cases will be important in what happens to our battle for Second Amendment rights.
The First of These Cases is Rahimi v United States. The question is that while the US code prohibits the possession of firearms by persons subject to domestic violence restraining orders, have their Second Amendment rights been denied?
The Second Case is the Garland v Cargill bump stock ban case. The United States Fifth Circuit struck down the ATF on bump stocks, saying it was an improper expansion of executive branch power.
The Third Case is NRA v Vullo. The question in this case is can the New York State regulators pressuring companies who do business with the NRA constitute coercion, which violates first amendment rights?
SAF Challenges “Final Rule” In Arm Brace Case
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has announced it will hear oral arguments in the Second Amendment Foundation’s challenge of the “Final Rule” issued by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives regarding arm braces for pistols, during the week of Aug. 5.
The case is known as SAF v. ATF and was filed in February 2023. Last August, SAF won, in part, a preliminary injunction in the case when a court panel decided 2-1 the rule was “likely illegal” because the government had violated the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) by adopting the rule without meaningful opportunity for public comment.
“We are delighted about the court’s decision,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “We will be fully prepared to argue our case before the appeals court, and hopefully see a quick resolution of this case.”
Massachusetts’ Permit to Purchase Firearms Case Ends in Favor of Plaintiff and the Second Amendment. The case of Morin v Lyver has been decided in favor of the plaintiff. Alfred Morin was unfairly victimized as an honest man attempting to follow the law, suffering humiliation and legal damages. The Massachusetts law has been ruled unconstitutional and sent back and remanded to the circuit court.
Currently we have the People v Brown in which the FOID card has been found unconstitutional by the White County court. The point is the Illinois FOID card is an impediment because it is both a permit and right to possess. We will be going back to the Illinois Supreme court for the third time in an effort to get the FOID card declared unconstitutional.
California’s OMG Law Blatantly Unconstitutional
The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and its partners have filed an appellee’s brief in a long-running legal challenge of California’s One-Gun-Per-Month (OMG) law with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. This is in response to the state’s effort to keep the law in place.
“When examined in the proper historical context,” SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb observed, “There is no historical evidence of any such restriction anywhere in the country at the time the nation was created, and the Constitution was ratified. The Founders would never have considered such a prohibition. Indeed, they would have rejected it immediately as utter nonsense.”
Give your father the gift of membership to the Illinois State Rifle Association and/or the ISRA Range membership (see above article). He’ll thank you every year! Please go to (https://isra.org/join-us/) to download our membership application or call the office at 815.635.3198.
June 13, 1777 – Lafayette Serves Alongside General Washington.
The Marquis de Lafayette arrives in South Carolina to serve with General George Washington. The 19-year-old French aristocrat is given the commission of Major General on July 31, 1777. He returned to France briefly in 1779 to consult with the king of France about his future service. Benjamin Franklin was pleased to report that Lafyette was a great advocate for the American cause. After six months, he returned to aid the United States in Virginia, participating in the successful siege of Yorktown, which ended with the British surrender in 1781. Lafayette then returned to France and spent the rest of his life in the service of France.
June 14, 1775 – The United States Army
The Continental Congress signed the resolution authorizing the enlistment of riflemen to serve the United Colonies. The enlistment was for one-year. The United States Army is born. Happy Birthday United States Army. You’re not looking bad for 249 years old!
June 14, 1777 – The U.S. Stars and Stripes
The Stars and Stripes is officially adopted as the flag of the United States. Today is Flag Day. Be sure you fly the flag!
June 15, 1775 – George Washington Leads the Continental Army Washington accepted the assignment of Commander-In-Chief of the Continental Army. On July 3, 1775, Washington took command of a poorly trained, and poorly supplied army. The British looked down their noses at Washington’s army, but General Washington had turned the Colonial Army into a force to be reckoned with. Just ask the British!
June 18, 1812 – The War of 1812 Begins
The U.S. Congress declares war against Great Britain. Great Britain just couldn’t quit meddling in United States affairs. The British were impressing American seamen into the Royal Navy against their will, stirring up trouble with the Indian tribes, and meddling with the United States border with Canada. A group in Congress known as the “War Hawks’ had had enough and were advocating for war with Britain for several years.
The British just couldn’t get over the idea that the United States was an independent country. The War of 1812 finally established that fact, once and for all, to the British. General Andrew Jackson’s victory at the Battle of New Orleans got the point across.
June 19, 1944 – Battle of the Philippine Sea
United States scores a major victory over the Japanese in the Battle of the Philippines Sea. The Japanese desperately needed control over the Marianas Islands to fortify their position in the western Pacific. The victory was unbelievably lopsided for the United States. Japan lost 300 aircraft, and the United States lost only 29. It became known as the “Marianas Turkey shoot”.
Click here to view the entire calendar. All classes and events are open to the public & all range members, unless otherwise noted. here
Saturday, June 15th. This event is designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for women to learn about shooting and self-defense and welcomes women of all skill levels. For more information and to register for this event, click here, or go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/empowering-first-shots-free-womens-shooting-event-registration-698794963547?aff=oddtdtcreator
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