Thursday Bulletin – May 7, 2026

Thursday Bulletin – May 7, 2026

Executive Director’s Message

Richard Pearson

 

It’s A Great Time To Visit The ISRA Range For

Classes, Leagues, Special Events And More!

Nice weather seems to be breaking out and, with it, the only known cure for “Cabin Fever” which is to get out of the house and do some shooting!  If you don’t have a range in your back yard, you should check with a local shooting range in your area.  Many ranges have summer leagues.  These are always a good choice in which to take part. The ISRA Range is no exception, offering 18 different shooting leagues.  Some are weekly and some are monthly, and all of them are fun.  There is no better place for fun and camaraderie while you improve on your marksmanship skills.

Before I get into some current activities, I would like to let you all know that, from now until June 30th, we will be giving $50 off new member initiation fees when they join the ISRA Range.  This is a great place for you to shoot.

 

On May 23rd, we are hosting the great “Empowering Women” event.  This is free to all women and only takes up a little of your time.  CLICK HERE or see the brochure below for details.

 

I also have some great news regarding our youth camp that is coming up on June 7th.  We have had a sponsor come forward so we have been able to drop the price of our Youth shooting Camp to only $30.  For more details and to register –  CLICK HERE

 

 

Check Out The ISRA Leagues:

 

First up is one of our oldest pistol leagues, the Bullseye League.  If you really want to become a great pistol shot, this is a good place to start. This league meets once a month.  The next league begins May 17th.  New shooters are welcome.  CLICK HERE  for details.

 

The Smallbore League is our oldest rifle league. This league meets every Thursday and starts at 2pm until 7:30 pm. This year we will hold our 90th ISRA State Smallbore Championship, the oldest consecutive running state championship in the United States, sanctioned and officiated by the ISRA since 1936.   We will give more info on this in the near future.  New shooters welcome for this league.

 

On Tuesdays, the Service Rifle League begins at 5:00pm for the first relay and 5:30pm for the second relay.  New shooters welcome for this league.

 

We have three Benchrest High Power Leagues. One is on Mondays, running from 8:00am until 1:00pm. The second is on Wednesdays, 8:00am until 2:00pm. Those two leagues are on Range 4, the 100 yard range.  The third is on Friday from 8:00am until 2:00pm.  This league is on Range 3, the 300-yard range.  This range has electronic targets.

 

The F-Class High Power League is fired in conjunction with the Benchrest League.  New shooters welcome for this league.

 

Next week, we will continue with more of the upcoming leagues.  See you at the range!

 

 

To check out all of our classes, leagues and other events, browse the ISRA Range calendar! – CLICK HERE.

 

SAF Launches New National TV Ad Campaign

BELLEVUE, Wash. — May 5, 2026

 

In its ongoing fight to protect the right to keep and bear arms, the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) is launching a new national television ad calling on Americans to pledge to defend the Second Amendment from gun grabbing groups and individuals who are trying to thwart our right to keep and bear arms.

 

In its 60-second message, which will air multiple times on 26 different cable networks beginning this week, SAF warns of continuing attacks on Second Amendment rights. The Foundation tells the nation how gun-hating radical groups are doubling down on their attacks against our constitutional rights.

 

“In our message, we warn the country about anti-gun rights extremists who are going state-by-state, pushing an agenda to ban the sale of common firearms, add gun registration and age requirement laws, pass restrictive carry laws and much more,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “SAF is leading the legal fight to stop this war on gun rights, but we need the help of millions of Americans who are willing to pledge their support and defend the Second Amendment.”

 

The new SAF advertisement will air on the following networks: Fox News, Fox Business, CNN, HLN, BBC News, Bloomberg Television, CNBC, MS Now, NewsmaxTV, NewsNation, the Weather Channel, Salem News Channel, the First TV, History Channel, Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Channel, Outdoor Channel, American Heroes Channel, Motor Trend, Comedy Central, Discovery, FX, Smithsonian, SYFY, Viceland and Paramount.

 

The advertisement asks viewers to call 800-699-0992 and press #1 to make their pledge to defend the Second Amendment.

 

“Every American who joins this fight helps us in our effort to defend, secure and restore Second Amendment freedoms for all Americans,” Gottlieb said.

 

It’s about time we started fighting back in the media, and this is a good place to start.  I am often asked what good national organization are, and I always recommend the Second Amendment Foundation and the Citizens Committee for the Right To Keep And Bare Arms.

 

For more information visit SAF.org

 

*    *    *    *

 

It’s about time we started fighting back in the media, and this is a excellent place to start.  I am often asked which national organizations are good, and I always recommend the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA).

            Richard Pearson

 

CCRKBA: ‘Justice Department Lawsuit Against Denver Gun Ban Long Overdue’

 

May 6, 2026 Article by Alan Gottlieb – Chairman, CCRKBA

 

BELLEVUE, WA – The Justice Department’s lawsuit against the City of Denver, Colorado’s long-standing ban on so-called “assault weapons” is long overdue, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said.

 

“The time has come for local governments to get a reality check about infringing on the Second Amendment rights of their constituents,” said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. “For too long, state legislatures, county councils and city governments have whittled away at the right of their citizens to keep and bear arms, and they’ve continued doing it because past Justice Departments and administrations never bothered to intervene.

 

“But now we’ve got leadership at the DOJ which recognizes the Second Amendment as a cornerstone of the constitution,” he added, “and they are determined to reverse years of complacency, if not outright hostility, from previous attorneys general and White House administrations. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon obviously mean what they say about protecting the Second Amendment.

 

“Denver Mayor Mike Johnston must have thought he could bluster his way through this, but less than 24 hours after telling the DOJ ‘Hell, no,’ he is now facing a federal lawsuit filed by people who are not kidding around,” Gottlieb stated. “We’re hoping the legal action against Denver is a signal to other anti-gun governments that erosion of Second Amendment rights is finished.

 

“Last year at about this time,” he recalled, “the Citizens Committee recommended DOJ action against restrictive, unconstitutional gun control laws in a dozen different states. Beleaguered gun owners in those states have waited for action. Let’s hope Blanche, Dhillon and the ‘new’ Justice Department gets busy.

 

“Let’s also hope the Denver case gets fast-tracked,” Gottlieb said. “It is important that the efforts of gun prohibitionists are quickly and permanently derailed by federal court rulings with teeth. Our congratulations to the Justice Department for finally taking action.”

 

With more than 650,000 members and supporters nationwide, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (www.ccrkba.org) is one of the nation’s premier gun rights organizations. As a non-profit organization, the Citizens Committee is dedicated to preserving firearms freedoms through active lobbying of elected officials and facilitating grass-roots organization of gun rights activists in local communities throughout the United States.

 

 

*    *    *    *

 

Assistant  Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon and the DOJ continue to actively pursue infringements to the Second Amendment by gun-grabbing liberals and blue state politicians.  We applaud her continuing efforts and look forward to aiding in those efforts in any way we can.  With your continued help and support, the ISRA will stay on the front lines in the fight for 2A rights in Illinois and beyond.

 

Not an ISRA member?  Join the ISRA and support 2A rights in Illinois – CLICK HERE.

 

 

 

Legislative Update

 

We are in the last 3 weeks of the Spring Session.  We have 2 veto sessions that we have to deal with but they have not been posted yet by the General Assembly.  There will be a new session coming in January 2027.  These will be our most dangerous times, so everyone should prepare and be ready.

 

HB4414, the ammunition serialization bill, appears to be dead for the Spring Legislative Session.  Unfortunately, the RIFL Act and the “GLOCK” bill are still alive.  The ISRA is there. 

 

*    *    *    *

 

Here is the legislative calendar for the Illinois Senate for May, 2026 (Spring Session).

And here is the legislative calendar for the Illinois House of Representatives for May, 2026 (Spring Session).

You can find downloadable PDF versions of the House calendar HERE and the Senate calendar HERE to view all the legislative session deadlines.

 

*    *    *    *

 

The ISRA maintains a list of the most important bills under consideration in the Illinois State Legislature; the most current list is always the ISRA Legislation Page.   Click and follow along!

 

Thank you for standing with the ISRA and for defending the rights of law-abiding Illinois gun owners.

 

Not an ISRA member?  Join the ISRA and support 2A rights in Illinois – CLICK HERE.

 

 

 

Litigation Update

 

ISRA AS PLAINTIFF

 

• Meyer v. Raoul (18-20 yr CCL cases) (S.D. Ill.) – Summary judgment filings are filed and awaiting a ruling.

 

• Miller v. Smith (foster care/home day care firearm prohibitions) (C.D. Ill.) – Summary Judgment Motions pending in District Court after Seventh Circuit remand.

 

• Harrel v. Raoul (AWB/LCM case) (7th Cir.) – Awaiting ruling from Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

ISRA SUPPORTING

 

• Schoenthal v. Raoul (public transportation CCL case) (7th Cir.) – Our Petition for Writ of Certiorari was denied by the Supreme Court. Judgment will shortly be entered for the State.

 

• Atkinson v. Bondi (federal felon restoration) (N.D.Ill.) – Currently pending in Seventh Circuit, while awaiting implementation of DOJ restoration program which may resolve issue. Opening Brief due May 1, 2026.

 

• Kuhlman v. Hines (“clear and present danger” civil rights violation) (C.D. Ill.) – Summary Judgment Motion pending in District Court.

 

• Anderson v. Raoul – Suppressor challenge from Southern District of Illinois. District Court ruled for State, holding suppressors are not “arms” that receive Second Amendment protection. Case is pending at Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

 

• L.P.D. v. E.K. – Litigation regarding Firearm Protective Order brought against minor (under 10-years-old) child, while simultaneously taking FOID and firearm of parent who was not accused of any wrongdoing. Matter currently pending in circuit court.

 

 

To follow the cases the ISRA is tracking, visit the ISRA Litigation page – CLICK HERE.

 

 

“Money can only buy happiness if you spend it on freedom.  Join the ISRA today.”  ~ Richard Pearson

 

Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy AOS Handgun Raffle

9MM  /  5” Bull Barrel  /  AOS Plates (Optic Ready)  /  Comes With 2 Magazines

Drawing on June 16, 2026 – Entries must be postmarked by June 9, 2026

Ticket prices:
1 Ticket – $20
3 Tickets – $50
8 Tickets – $100
25 Tickets – $250

All funds raised go to fight for your 2A rights in Illinois!

For more Information, CLICK HERE.

 

The Illinois State Rifle Association is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization, donations to Illinois State Rifle Association are not tax-deductible. Winner of the firearm must comply with all Federal, State and local laws.  Prize must be claimed within 90 days of drawing.

 

For other questions on this raffle, contact:
ISRA – PO Box 637 – Chatsworth, IL 60921
(815) 635-3198 or E-Mail: member@isra.org

 

 

“I am frequently asked if the ISRA sells our membership list.  The answer is absolutely not.”  ~ Richard Pearson

Education & Training @ ISRA Range, Bonfield, IL.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to start time.

*Every Thursday (unless otherwise noted)  ISRA Precision Air Pistol Training – Range 12 & Clubhouse – 5:30pm – 7:00pm

 

May 9 (Saturday) ISRA Academy – NRA Basic Shotgun – Range 6 & Clubhouse – 8:30am – 6:00pm

May 23 (Saturday) ISRA Academy – Empowering First Shots – Range 2, Pavilion & Clubhouse – Various times available (see flier below)

June 7 (Sunday) ISRA Academy – CCL Qualification –  Range 9 – 1:00pm – 5:00pm

June 12 – 14 (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) David Maglio – MAG30 – Range 11 – 8:00am – 6:00pm

June 13 (Saturday) ISRA Academy – CCL Renewal –  Range 8 & Classroom – 2:00pm – 5:00pm

June 20 (Saturday) ISRA Academy – CCL Renewal & Qualification –  Range 1 & Clubhouse – 9:00am – 12:00pm

August 20 – 23 (Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun) Massad Ayoob – MAG40 – World Shooting & Recreational Complex – 8:30am – 7:00pm

August 26 – 30 (Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun) Massad Ayoob – MAG80 – ISRA Range, Bonfield (more info TBA)

 

*** 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.

 

 

ISRA Members: To view the

Illinois Shooter – Spring 2026, click HERE.

 

 

 

If you would like to donate to us, please click HERE.
Thank you for your support!

 

 

GET IN THE FIGHT, STAY IN THE FIGHT, JOIN THE ISRA

To Join the ISRA, click HERE.

 

 

The Illinois State Rifle Association

is the home of marksmanship in Illinois

Tidbits

 

May 7, 2000 – Vladimir Putin is sworn in as President of the Russia.  He has won every election since.  Amazing.

 

 

May 8, 1919 – A journalist from Melbourne, Australia, proposed that the first anniversary of the end of World War I be celebrated. The date would be November 11, 1918.  Finally, the suggestion reached the ears of King George V of England, who made the official proclamation that the armistice would be celebrated on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month.

 

 

May 8, 1945 – The United States, Great Britain and the other Allied countries, except for the Soviet Union, celebrated victory in our day or, as it became known, VE Day.  In the Soviet Union, VE Day is celebrated on May 9th because the Soviets were still fighting pockets of resistance.  On May 9th, the Soviet Union lost 600 more soldiers, and that was the end of the war for them.

 

 

May 8, 1980 – World Health Organization announces smallpox has been eradicated.

May 9, 1962 – The Beatles sign their first contract with EMI Parlophone.

May 10, 1869 – The Transcontinental Railroad is completed as the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads meet at Promontory Point, Utah.

 

Beginning as early as 1832, legislators and others knew the importance of connecting the East and West coasts.  In 1853, Congress approved funds to explore and discover a route that connected to both coasts.  In 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act that guaranteed public land grants and loans to the two railroads who they chose to build the Transcontinental Line.  The two railroads were the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific.  The Central Pacific started in Sacramento, California, and the Pacific started in Omaha, Nebraska.  In 1866, the work on the two railroads began.

 

The Central Pacific used mostly Chinese workers while the Union Pacific used mostly Irish immigrants, who were Civil War veterans, to get the work done.  On both ends of the railroad, the 12 hour working days were miserable.

 

The completion of the railroad had immediate impact.  In the following years, railroad expansion was rapid, and so was economic growth in the western United States.  Travel between the East Coast and the West Coast, which would have taken about 90 days by ship, was reduced to only 4 or 5 days.

 

 

 

May 10, 1775 – Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold successfully attack and capture Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York.  Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys played a significant role in the capture of the fort.  One important aspect of the capture of the fort was the capture of the fort’s cannon the next day at Crown Point on Lake Champlain.  The next winter, General Henry Knox would transfer the cannon to George Washington, using sleighs and sledges to transport it through the snow.  This would allow General Washington to drive the British from Boston the following spring.

 

 

 

May 11, 1934 – A great dust storm sweeps across the plains carrying dust as far east as Washington D.C. and out into the Atlantic Ocean.  Many had recognized the potential for such a storm early in the 1900s.  Some land investors from the east started selling their lands in Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa in 1915 because they recognized the potential for disaster.

 

 

May 12, 1949 – USSR lifts blockade of West Berlin after US, UK, and allies successfully supply the city during the Berlin Airlift.

 

 

May 13, 1846 – President James K. Polk requests a declaration of war against Mexico in the dispute over Texas.  Congress overwhelmingly approved the declaration of war.

 

 

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.

 

May 16 – May 17, 2026   Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee County Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL.

June 19 – June 21, 2026   Pecatonica Gun Show, Winnebago County Fairgrounds, Pecatonica, IL.

Sept. 19 – Sept. 20, 2026   Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club House, Chillicothe, IL.

Sept. 19, 2026   National Civil War, Military, and Collector Arms Show, DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton, IL.

Oct. 24 – 25, 2026   Belleville Gun & Knife Show, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville, IL.

Oct. 24 – 25, 2026   Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.

Nov. 7 – 8, 2026  Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL.

Nov. 28 – 29, 2026   Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.

Dec. 6 – Dec. 7, 2026   Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club House, Chillicothe, IL.

ISRA Town Hall Monthly Meetings

Come and meet fellow activists and learn the latest on protecting our Second Amendment Rights!

Livingston County – 4th Tuesday of the month – South Post Guns, 104 Livingston Rd., Streator, IL; Social half-hour from 6:00pm – 6:30pm; Meeting at 6:30pm.

Madison County – 1st Wednesday of the month – Piasa Armory, 625 Lewis and Clark Blvd., East Alton, IL; Doors open at 6:15pm; Meeting starts at 6:30pm

Northwest Suburban – 3rd Tuesday of the month – Golden Corral, 1591 S Randall Rd., Algonquin, IL; Doors open 6pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm

South Suburban/Cook County – 2nd Thursday of the month – New Location: Papa Joe’s Italian Restaurant, 14459 LaGrange Rd, Orland Park, IL; Doors open 6:00pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm

Will County – 3rd Wednesday of the month – Silver Dollar Restaurant, 422 E. Mississippi Ave., Elwood, IL; Doors open 6pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm