November 20, 2025
Thursday Bulletin – November 20, 2025
Executive Director’s Message
Richard Pearson
The American Paradigm
Every country has their paradigm. So many Americans can’t seem to tell the difference between right and wrong because their American objectivity has been so diluted by non-American alternatives disguised as an enlightened civilized society. Many Americans no longer acknowledge the reasons why we’re all here, or at least the historical reasons we’re *supposed* to acknowledge why we’re here.
For Americans who are confused, if you want to be a good person, follow the Ten Commandments – you don’t have to be religious, you can be an atheist; they’re all good ideas for a stable society. If you want to be a good American, commit to our purpose of freedom – our breakaway from traditional European history.
The American paradigm consists of, 1. making morality and ethics your top priority of every conscious decision you make, 2. an understanding of why the Declaration of Independence was necessary, 3. that our Constitution is the operating system of how “We The People” agree and predictably expect how the country will be run, 4. that our Rights, defined in the Bill of Rights, come from God, not the government, and 5. that our government will reliably ensure our freedoms and rights.
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” (John Adams). We Americans are fragile based on this required moral and ethical cooperation of a free people who abide by a rule of law and live by the Judeo-Christian values of 10 simple instructions. This understanding of what’s “right” and “normal”, the American Paradigm, is the assumption on which we leave governing to our elected officials and We The People can get on with our everyday work and sleep comfortably at night. Without it, America is not America.
“Citizen’s Use Of Force – Lawful And Justified To Criminal Attack” Class At The ISRA Range
Renowned instructor Jeff Chudwin is going to present “Citizen’s Use of Force—–Lawful and Justified to Criminal Attack” at the ISRA Range on December 14th from 9:00am to 1:00pm. You may sign up on the website. There will be other speakers as well.
For ISRA members, the class is $50 which includes your spouse or significant other. For non-ISRA members, the cost is $75 a person. For anyone concerned about self-defense inside or outside the home, this is a must take class.
Mr. Chudwin is both a former State’s Attorney and Police Chief. CLICK HERE for the total description and to sign up for the class.
Safety Is Paramount To Ensuring A Fun Hunting Season
I monitor all kinds of reports that have to do with marksmanship, gun rights, new products, hunting and an eclectic variety of other things related to firearms and conservation. This year there seems to be a larger than usual number of hunters who have died in the field. Maybe it’s because I am paying more attention, or maybe not. These accidents are not firearm related and almost all were preventable. One hunter, who was hunting alone, descended a rocky, wet cliff and fell off. Four others were stuck by lightning because they took shelter underneath a tree during a thunderstorm. Several other hunters were drowned.
A while back, I remember reporting on a group of duck hunters who drowned when their overloaded boat capsized. They had put on their shell vests and other gear before they reached their duck blind. When their boat sank, they were weighed down and had no chance. While I love hunting, particularly pheasant and goose hunting, and believe there is no better time than hunting, you must be careful out there. Hunting is in our DNA, but safety takes a conscious effort. Take extra time and precaution to ensure your hunting season is full of good memories.
GAT Guns Black Friday Sale – Nov. 28, 2025
GAT Guns will be having its Black Friday Sale from 9am to 9pm on Friday, November 28, 2025. GAT Guns is located at 970 Dundee Avenue, East Dundee, IL. Firearm vendors will be present. Everything will be on sale. Please mark your calendars for some really great deals !!! The Range will be open all day!!!
GAT Guns website: 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.
Litigation Update
ISRA AS PLAINTIFF
We are still waiting on a ruling on Harrel v. Raoul from the Seventh Circuit which we hope to get soon.
ISRA SUPPORTING
Schoenthal v. Raoul (public transportation CCL case) (7th Cir.) – Judgment in Seventh Circuit for State; Petition for writ of certiorari has been filed at the Supreme Court.
The Second Amendment Foundation, the Connecticut Citizens Defense League and several individual plaintiffs have filed an appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) in case of Grant v Rovella, the Connecticut “assault weapons ban.” That is one more nudge toward getting SCOTUS to decide on so-called assault weapons bans.
Thanks to all those who have and will continue to support the ISRA in our efforts to protect the Second Amendment in Illinois. This fight is far from over.
We need extra support right now, so please… donate HERE.
If you would like to mail a check to the ISRA Legal Assistance Committee (donations to the ISRA LAC are tax deductible), please send to:
ISRA Legal Assistance Committee
PO Box 494
Chatsworth, IL 60921
Not an ISRA member? Join the ISRA and support 2A rights in Illinois – click HERE.
Legislative Update
We have reserved the Bank of Springfield Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, Springfield Illinois, for IGOLD 2026 on April 15, 2026. More details to follow. Please mark your calendars to reserve this date.
You can follow along by clicking the ISRA Legislation Page.
ISRA Ruger 10/22 Collector Series Raffle – Tickets Now Available
Buy your tickets early for the ISRA Ruger 10/22 Collector Series Rifle Raffle! Drawing will be held on January 7, 2026. Entries must be postmarked by December 30, 2025.
You need not be present to win. Dues and donations to the ISRA are NOT tax deductible. Winner of the Ruger Rifle must comply with all federal, state and local laws. Winner has 90 days to claim prize.
Scan the QR code in the ad or CLICK HERE for more info or to purchase tickets.
Questions? Call the ISRA office at: 815-635-3198.
ATTENTION – Glock Models To Be Discontinued
Glock has announced they are going to discontinue all of their double stack models and replace them with the V series models. The slim line models are not going to be discontinued. All this is supposed to happen on November 30th.
ISRA Range – Once Fired Brass For Sale
If you are an ISRA member and reload your own ammunition the ISRA Range has once fired brass for sale. Please contact Mike James at 847-456-3386.
“I am frequently asked if the ISRA sells our membership list. The answer is absolutely not.” ~ Richard Pearson
Education & Training @ ISRA Range, Bonfield, IL.
November 20 (Thursday) Air Pistol Training – Range 12 & Clubhouse – 5:30pm – 7:00pm
November 22 (Saturday) NRA Range Safety Officer – Clubhouse – 8:30 – 6:00pm
November 23 (Sunday) NRA Basic Instructor Training (BIT) – Clubhouse – 8:30am – 2:30pm
November 27 (Thursday) Air Pistol Training – Range 12 & Clubhouse – 5:30pm – 7:00pm
November 29 (Saturday) CCL Renewal & Qualification – Range 11 & Clubhouse – 1:00pm – 4:00pm
November 30 (Sunday) NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer Class – Range 1 & Clubhouse – 8:30am – 6:00pm
December 4 (Thursday) Air Pistol Training – Range 12 & Clubhouse – 5:30pm – 7:00pm
December 6 (Saturday) NRA Basic Pistol Instructor – Classroom/Range 1 – 8:00am – 6:00pm
December 6 (Saturday) Range Work Day – 8:00am – 4:00pm
December 7 (Sunday) Basic CCL Qualification – Classroom & Range 9 – 8:00am – 5:00pm
December 11 (Thursday) CCL Renewal & Qualification – Range 11 & Clubhouse – 9:00am – 12:00pm
December 11 (Thursday) Air Pistol Training – Range 12 & Clubhouse – 5:30pm – 7:00pm
December 14 (Sunday) “Citizen’s Use of Force – Lawful and Justified Response to Criminal Attack” – Clubhouse – 9:00am – 1:00pm
December 18 (Thursday) Air Pistol Training – Range 12 & Clubhouse – 5:30pm – 7:00pm
December 27 (Saturday) Armed Women of America – Range 11 & Clubhouse – 9:00am – 12:00pm
December 27 (Saturday) CCL Renewal & Qualification – Range 11 & Clubhouse – 1:00pm – 4:00pm
*** 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: View the Fall 2025 Shooter 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
November 20, 1923 – Garrett Morgan procures the patent for the three-position traffic signal. Up until that time, the only signals were stop and go. Morgan’s idea was to give drivers a chance to stop by giving notice to slow down before the signal changed to stop, thus hopefully preventing more traffic accidents. He sold the patent to General Electric Corporation for $40,000.
November 20, 1945 – The Nuremberg Trials begin. Twenty-four high-ranking Nazis were put on trial in Nuremberg, Germany, for the atrocities committed during World War II.
This week, a new movie entitled “Nuremberg” opens in theaters. I only caught a snippet of the movie on television, but it looks interesting.
November 21, 1877 – The publication Scientific American prints an article about Thomas Edison’s invention of the phonograph. Edison was working on a way to record communications in his laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey. The invention used a stylus and a tinfoil cylinder. Edison’s first recording was the children’s nursery rhyme “Mary Had A Little Lamb.” Referencing his invention, admirers gave Edison the moniker “Wizard of Menlo Park.” Indeed, he was.
November 22, 1963 – President John F. Kennedy is assassinated. I remember that day well. I’ve written about it before. Lately, however, it seems more information about the Kennedy assassination might be coming to light. I think the cover-up is still going on because, suddenly, it all became quiet again. Somebody still doesn’t want the American public to know the whole truth. I am not sure who or why, but I smell a pile of rats.
November 23, 1942 – The Russian Army encircles the German Army near Stalingrad, Soviet Union. The German Commander knew they were outnumbered and sent a request to Hitler to allow his troops to withdraw. Hitler refused, causing 250,000 German soldiers to be captured. Very few of those German soldiers ever made it home. I believe only close to 5% ever made it back to Germany. The rest just disappeared.
November 24, 1954 – President Eisenhower’s plane, the “Columbine III,” officially becomes Air Force One. Up until that time, the call sign was “8610,” but the President had a near miss with a commercial flight #8610. Good idea.
November 24, 1849 – John Froelich, inventor of the gasoline-powered tractor, is born in Iowa. Froelich mounted a one cylinder gasoline engine onto a steam engine running gear. He took off to a nearby field to see if it worked. It did. The tractor thrashed 1,000 bushels using only 26 gallons of gas.
In 1894, he and eight other investors formed the Waterloo Tractor Engine Company. Between 1896 and 1914, he sold only 20 tractors. In 1914, they introduced the Waterloo body model “R” and sold 118 tractors the next year. In 1918, the John Deere Plow Company bought the Waterloo Company for $2,350,000. Next time you see a piece of John Deere equipment running around in a field, you know the history.
November 24, 1963 – Jack Ruby kills Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged assassin of President John F. Kennedy, in the basement of the Dallas Police station. I was watching live TV at the time and saw him get shot.
November 25, 1783 – The last British soldiers leave New York City three months after the Treaty of Paris was signed, which ended the American Revolution.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
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.
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.
Dec. 13 – Dec. 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.
Jan. 24 – Jan. 25, 2026 Belleview Gun & Knife Show – Belle-Clair Fairgounds, Belleview, IL.
Jan. 24 – Jan. 25, 2026 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.
Feb. 7 – Feb. 8, 2026 Bloomington Gun & Knife Show – Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL.
Feb. 14 – Feb. 15, 2026 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association – New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL.
March 28 – March 29, 2026 Belleview Gun & Knife Show – Belle-Clair Fairgounds, Belleview, IL.
March 28 – March 29, 2026 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.
Other Events
Dec. 6, 2025 Sandy Ford International Pistol Event, Sandy Ford Sportsman Club Indoor Range, 720 S Bloomington St, Streator, IL.
Dec. 6, 2025 Highland Pistol & Rifle Club International Pistol Event, Highland, IL.
Jan. 3, 2026 Highland Pistol & Rifle Club International Pistol Event, Highland, IL.
Jan. 10, 2026 Sandy Ford International Pistol Event, Sandy Ford Sportsman Club Indoor Range, 720 S Bloomington St, Streator, IL.
Feb. 7, 2025 Highland Pistol & Rifle Club International Pistol Event, Highland, IL.
Feb. 14, 2026 Sandy Ford International Pistol Event, Sandy Ford Sportsman Club Indoor Range, 720 S Bloomington St, Streator, IL.
Mar. 14, 2026 Sandy Ford International Pistol Event, Sandy Ford Sportsman Club Indoor Range, 720 S Bloomington St, Streator, Illinois
April 11, 2026 Sandy Ford International Pistol Event, Sandy Ford Sportsman Club Indoor Range, 720 S Bloomington St, Streator, IL.
ISRA Grassroots Monthly Meetings
Come and meet fellow activists and learn the latest on protecting our Second Amendment Rights!
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
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 No Meeting In December
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 – Kenootz Pizza, 4659 147th St., Midlothian, IL; Doors open 6:30pm; 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
Stand Strong &
Thank you for being a member!
If you are not an ISRA member, join TODAY!
Donate: isra.org/support-us/
Visit: isra.org/
Upcoming Meetings: isra.org/isra-activities-and-events/
Upcoming Range Events: isra.org/the-range/#range-calendar
PO Box 637
420 E Locust St
Chatsworth Illinois 60921
USA
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