June 29, 2023
| Executive Director’s Message
Richard Pearson |
This is one of those days we have waited for. Today the ISRA, SAF and FPC lawsuit Harrel et al v Raoul, Barnett et al v Raoul and three other cases, will be heard in the Seventh Circuit in Chicago. All parties are suing the State of Illinois regarding the Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA), more commonly known as the Illinois “so-called assault weapons ban”, and the “Naperville ban”. Oral arguments for our side will be presented by attorney Erin Murphy, who did a great job in the U.S. District Court for Southern Illinois.
I don’t expect a ruling for some time. Courts set their own schedule.
There are two likely outcomes regarding PICA. Remember, I am not an attorney.
The Seventh Circuit could declare the law unconstitutional. If they declare the law unconstitutional, the court will hopefully issue a stay on the law, preventing it from being enforced. The other outcome is that they would uphold the law as constitutional. Whichever side loses will appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States. In any case, here we go…
The Bevis v Naperville lawsuit should get its own ruling, even though it is being heard at the same time.
There are other lawsuits moving in Illinois.
Schoenthal v Raoul – (The Public transportation/CCL case), is in discovery and moving along. This case is in the Northern District of Illinois.
Anderson v Raoul – (The Illinois Suppressor Ban) is also moving along. This case is in the
Southern District of Illinois.
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The mayor of Indianapolis is frantically responding to a 2am shooting in part of the city.
The mayor has a scheme to make parts of the city “Gun Free Zones” on weekends. What the mayor is really going to do, is create a magnet to draw predators to those very areas. Indianapolis has areas with 400 to 500 people gathering at 2 am and 3 am in the morning. The saying is “Nothing good happens after midnight.” That’s true for Indianapolis also.
Massachusetts is facing new antigun legislation, similar to what was passed in the PICA bill, here in Illinois. This will probably pass but will be patently illegal like the Illinois law. A good outcome in our lawsuits against the State of Illinois, will help our friends in Massachusetts.
In Tulsa Oklahoma, a man was mowing his yard at 10 o’clock in the morning. As about a routine event as can happen during the summer in America. A Tulsa homeowner was doing just that. Suddenly, a man came up and started shouting at the homeowner. The homeowner quickly retreated to his garage, while ordering the man to leave. Instead, the man came at the homeowner with a pair of garden shears, drawing blood. The homeowner retrieved his firearm and ordered the man to leave again. The attacker ran out of the garage but turned and continued the attack. The homeowner fired several shots until the man collapsed. The attacker was pronounced dead at the scene.
The lessons to be learned are once again:
One of my fascinations is bear attacks. A few years ago in Alaska, there were three bear attacks within a few miles of where I was fishing. Dean Weingarten is the leading journalist who studies bear attacks. It turns out that a person is seven times more likely to survive a bear attack if they are armed with a handgun, than if they use bear spray. Still there are those who insist on bear spray.
With that in mind, I think that the makers of bear spray should vary their selection of flavors. I suggest they add barbecue, teriyaki, and honey mustard, to their selections.
If you depend on bear spray, you most likely going to be eaten. At least the bear can enjoy you more, and bears prefer honey mustard! Just say’en!
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| Tidbits | |||
June 30, 1936
The book “Gone with the Wind” is published.
The author, Margaret Mitchell, had been forced to quit her job as a reporter for the Atlanta Journal because of injuries she sustained in 1926. Mitchell could only afford to live in a small one-bedroom apartment with just enough space for her and her Remington Typewriter. Growing up in the south, she knew and heard many stories about the Civil War and the fall of Atlanta from relatives and the many confederate soldiers she knew growing up. She recalled these memories and turned them into the story “Gone with the Wind”.
The book was a smash hit. David O. Selznick purchased the movie rights for the story, for an astounding $50,000. Remember, the average yearly income was about $1,230 in 1936. I still have the souvenir program my mother and father purchased when they saw the movie version of Gone with the Wind.
Margaret Mitchell died tragically in 1949, when she was struck by a speeding car in Atlanta, Georgia.
July 1-3, 1863
The Battle of Gettysburg and the pivotal role of the Berdan Sharpshooters.
Last year I wrote about the 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters and the role they played in protecting the Union left flank at the Battle of Gettysburg. The Union was saved by the 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters and their superior marksmanship. Berdan’s Sharpshooters proved themselves many times in the Civil War. They were disbanded on December 31, 1864.
As I study history, the War Department and now the Defense Department, have made dumb, bone- headed decisions, and it always affects the front-line soldiers most. A great example is Hiram Berdan’s struggle to get the breech-loading Sharps Rifle into the hands of his Sharpshooters. The Sharps could be fired in the prone position and could fire up to 10 shots per minute. Five times as fast as the muzzleloaders. They were also accurate out to 600 yards and beyond. Before I go any further, the term sharpshooter does not really have anything to do with the Sharps Rifle. The term actually has been around for many years and came from the German word “scharfschütze”. Schützenfests, celebrating good marksmen, has been around for hundreds of years.
Lt. Colonel Hiram Berdan knew the Sharps Rifles were the ones he needed to equip his Sharpshooters. The problem was, Lt. General Winfield Scott would not approve them. General Scott was afraid soldiers would waste ammunition. This was, and still is, an attitude some generals have. Their idea was to throw enough unaimed fire at the enemy, and you will probably hit something. Now that was a waste of ammunition! General Scott equipped them with standard muzzleloading rifles, which defeated the purpose. Most of the Sharpshooters bought their own Sharps Rifles. The calibers were varied, which was a supply problem. Many had early telescopic sights.
Finally, Lt. Colonel Berdan requested an audience with President Abraham Lincoln to demonstrate the superiority of the Sharps Rifle. Lincoln was a gun guy. After the demonstration, he overruled Lt. General Winfield Scott, and Berdan’s Sharpshooters got their rifles.
July 1, 1898
The Battle of San Juan Hill
The 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry fought on foot along with the U.S 9th and 10th Cavalry charge up San Juan and Kettle Hill. It was a great, but costly victory for Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. The U.S. troops faced the Spanish 7mm Mausers, which were devastating. A lesson not lost on Roosevelt and the U.S. Army. The next United States military rifle would be the 1903 Springfield. Roosevelt received the Medal of Honor for his actions. The only United States President to have ever receive the medal.
July 2, 1926
The U.S. Army Air Corps is created.
July 4, 1776
On this day 247 years ago, a group of patriots adopted the Declaration of Independence. In the Declaration of Independence, they laid-out principles that later would be codified in the Constitution of the United States. Their brave action eventually sent dictatorial monarchies crumbling around the world for centuries to come.
July 6, 1900
The Forgotten Earp Brother
Warren Earp, youngest brother of Wyatt Earp, is killed in a gun fight. Warren had not been involved in the gunfight at the OK Corral but did help Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday track down and kill, the two men who assassinated Morgan Earp, and disabled Virgil Earp.
The Earps and Doc Holliday chased other killers into Colorado, but never caught up with them. Once there, Warren went off on his own, and dropped out of sight. Little was known about him until his gunfight at the Headquarters Saloon in Wilcox, Arizona. There he became intoxicated and tried to kill John Boyett. Boyett killed Warren Earp. He was tried for murder but was acquitted on the grounds of self-defense.
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Range Classes & Events
All classes and events are open to the public unless otherwise noted.
ISRA Steel Challenge – Range 8, 9, 10,11 – July 1 from 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
SCSA sanctioned event. Contact: Jeff Davis at 708.476.3257 or dtw1990@comcast.net
Basic Pistol Class – Clubhouse & Range 1 – July 1 from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
NRA Basic Pistol Class. Written exam and shooting qualification. Cost: $120. No Refunds. Contact: Michael Wilhite at 815.261.4307 or mtwconsultingllc55@gmail.com
Range Work Day – July 1 from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
for all range members wanting to put in their hours. Work days are the first Saturday of every month. Bring gloves. Lunch will be provided.
ISRA 3 Gun – Range 8, 9, 10, 11 – July 2 from 7:00 am – 2:00 pm
3 Gun using pistol, shotgun, PCC or AR rifle. Contact: Jeff Davis at 708.476.3257 or dtw1990@comcast.net
Bonfield Muzzle Loaders – Black Powder League – Clubhouse & Range 2 and 6
July 2 from 7:00 am – 2:00 pm. First Sunday of the month from March through December. Contact: Tom Spurlock at 815.557.3942 or tom.spurlock@outlook.com
This is a 35 round match shot on Monday afternoons. Cost: $10 league fee/$5 per match. Instructor: Jeff Marienthal. Contact: Richard Pearson at: executive@isra.org
Shoot centerfire group and score targets at 100 yards; rimfire at 50 yards. No muzzle breaks and semi-auto must have brass catchers, loaded single. Members only. Contact: Mark Lincoln at lincolnmark308@gmail.com
Prone shooting at 300 yards every Wednesday using electronic targets. League runs from 5/3/2023 to 9/27/2023. Cost: $5.00. Instructor: Steve Zagrodnik. Contact: Tom Jurgens at 815.573.3041 or jurgens914@comcast.net
Team members only. Practice is every Wednesday and Thursday until August 10, 2023. Instructors: Richard Pearson and Mike Vernon. Contact: Richard Pearson at executive @isra.org
3 Gun and steel challenge practice on Wednesday afternoons. Members only. Contact: Jeff Davis at 708.476.3257 or dtw1990@comcast.net
Weekly summer rifle league that runs seventeen weeks, May through September, on Thursday nights. Contact: James P. Miller from 815.268.4411 or jamesandkaymiller@fromt.net
Team members only. Practice is every Wednesday and Thursday until August 10, 2023. Instructors: Richard Pearson and Mike Vernon. Contact: Richard Pearson from executive @isra.org
Contact info@guardian-concepts.com
ISRA Marksmanship League is held the second Sunday of every month, March through October, and includes all levels of shooters as a fun competition for a wide range of ability levels. We offer various divisions including rimfire, center fire, revolver, and sub-compact. Youth are welcome. You will need a quality firearm, 50 rounds of ammunition, minimum of 3 magazines or speed loaders (revolver). Holster and magazine pouches are optional. Instructors: Mandi Ehler & Mike Cialdella. Contact isramarksmanshipleague@gmail.com
The ISRA Range offers great classes and leagues, for shooting enthusiasts!
Range memberships are available. A day at the ISRA Range is always a great day!
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Happy 4th of July
And
Thank you for being a member!
If you are not an ISRA member, join today!
Donate: https://isra.org/support-us/
Visit www.isra.org
Upcoming Meetings: https://isra.org/isra-activities-and-events/
Upcoming Range Events: https://isra.org/the-range/#range-calendar
Upcoming Gun Shows – 2023
August 4-5 Prairie State Longrifle Show, Days Inn, Princeton
August 12-13 Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, Interstate Center, Bloomington
September 16-17 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee County Fairgrounds
September 17 McHenry County Gun Show, McHenry County Fairgrounds, Woodstock
September 30 – October 1 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin