November 28, 2024
HAPPY THANKSGIVING to All!
Personally, I have a lot to be thankful for this year. I am thankful for all of our wonderful members, the ISRA directors and officers, our great lobbyists, our Range officers, instructors and terrific volunteers. All are doing a great job.
Also, I am especially thankful for our new Director of Education Training, Mandi Ehler. She is already making great progress and scheduling classes for both new and experienced shooters.
And lastly, I am thankful for the very good court ruling we received in the Harrel v. Raoul lawsuit. It is an uphill battle but, with all of your support, we are going to make it.
Wishing a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
NOTE: The ISRA offices will be closed the day after Thanksgiving – Friday, November 29.
Giving Thanks for Great Judges and Great Members
ISRA President Doug Mayhall talks about the most recent pro second amendment rulings in ISRA legal cases and gives thanks for our members who keep supporting these efforts.
Legislative Update
We are watching several bills that will probably come up in lame duck session. Tentative lame duck session will be between the 2nd and 8th of January at noon. The new legislature will be seated January 8th at noon. This is an unusually long time for a lame duck session. There is plenty of mischief that can be done. Aside from our bills, which are listed below, my guess is they are going to try and do as much damage to President-Elect Trump’s agenda as possible.
HB5888 – Lost and Stolen Firearms
HB5891 and SB3971 – Safe Storage of Firearms
SB2633 “Karina’s Law” – This is a push for gun confiscation by the police.
These bill numbers could change, so be careful about them.
Litigation Update
Our lawsuit, Harrel v. Raoul, has been combined with the other lawsuits against the (Protecting Illinois Communities Act) PICA. The ISRA and other plaintiffs have filed a reply opposing the State of Illinois’ request to make permanent the 30 day injunction while the lawsuit is being appealed to the Seventh Circuit Court of the United States. The injunction is set to expire on December 8th, 2024.
All other cases are either waiting for a judge’s decision or are in discovery. Do not expect much until after the holidays.
BREAKING NEWS – Late Wednesday Afternoon the full legal filing opposing the State’s motion to stay the injunction was made public.
You can download a copy here.
“Refused To Be A Victim” Class
The holiday season is upon us and with it comes the joys of being with family and friends…something we all look forward to all year long. Unfortunately, during the holiday season, your chance of being robbed, your home burglarized, packages being taken from your porch, your vehicle stolen or your life threatened by criminals, increases greatly.
Wishing friends and family well and discussing the details of holiday festivities via social media can put one in harm’s way nowadays. Somehow, we just cannot wait to tell everyone our plans to go to Uncle George and Aunt Harriet’s for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas at the beach, or New Year’s at a posh hotel. The problem is, if you put it all on social media before you go, you have just announced to the world (and every burglar in the area) that you are not at home and your possessions are ripe for the taking. You have literally sent them an electronic invitation to steal from you.
If you must post all of the details of that gala event or family gathering, please be cautious. Even stating that your gathering is an “annual event” can be a clue to criminals as to the timing of their crimes. A major part of NOT becoming a victim is by not exposing yourself unnecessarily, although the urge to brag on family and events may be alluring. This is just one of many points to consider to keep you, your family and your possessions safe.
The ISRA cares about keeping it’s members and community safe. That is why we offer the class – “Refused To Be A Victim”. The next class is coming up on December 7, 2024.
If you would like to join the “Refused To Be A Victim” class, please call the ISRA office and make your reservations today. The class runs from 9am to noon and the cost is only $25 for members, $50 for non-members.
Important Announcement – IGOLD
The 2025 IGOLD date has been moved to May 14, 2025. This is due to a change in the legislative calendar. I am looking forward to seeing you there.
“12 Days Of Christmas” Raffle
The ISRA is offering the first ever “12 Days Of Christmas” Raffle. We will be giving away 12 custom engraved Red Rider BB guns, You can see what the gun looks like by going to our website. To be included in our “12 Days Of Christmas” raffle for one of these beautiful BB guns, you must call the ISRA office to buy your tickets.
Please call the ISRA office @ 815-635-3198. Good luck!
Great Gift Ideas!
Looking for some great gift ideas for Christmas? I have a couple recommendations for you!
The Illinois State Rifle Association is offering gift certificates. You can buy these to put toward a training class offered by the ISRA. What a terrific stocking-stuffer!
The second thing, of course, is an ISRA Membership for the favorite people in your life. They will get all kinds of good information, discounts on ISRA classes, opportunities to learn and challenge themselves, and both you and they will be helping to secure the Second Amendment, all at the same time! It is a great deal!
Reminder – Key Tag Donation
If you have not sent your donation in for the Key Tag mailing, please try to do so as soon as you can.
Education & Training @ ISRA Range, Bonfield, IL.
ISRA Academy is continuing to offer CCL renewals each month –
11/30/2024 (Saturday) 1:00pm – 4:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse.
12/07/2024 (Saturday) 1:00pm – 4:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse.
12/09/2024 (Monday) 9:00am – 12:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse.
CCL Class –
12/13/2024 (Friday) 8:30am – 5:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse.
12/14/2024 (Saturday) 8:30am – 5:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse.
NRA Basic Pistol Instructor Couse –
1/11/2025 (Saturday) 8:30am – 6:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse.
1/12/2025 (Sunday) 8:30am – 6:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse.
Glock Armorer Course –
2/11/2025 (Tuesday) 8:00am – 5:00pm / Clubhouse. Glock Armorer Course Registration HERE.
Glock Operator Course –
2/12/2025 (Wednesday) & 2/13/2025 (Thursday) 8:00am – 5:00pm / Range 11. Glock Operators Course Registration HERE.
Pistol Coaching Class / Level 1 –
3/22/2025 (Saturday) 8:30am – 4:30pm / Range 1 & Clubhouse
3/23/2025 (Sunday) 8:30am – 4:30pm / Range 1 & Clubhouse.
Pistol Optics Principles with Brian Hill of “The Complete Combatant” –
4/12/2025 (Saturday) 9:00am – 6:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse.
4/13/2025 (Sunday) 9:00am – 6:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse.
*** Please contact academy@isra.org for any training or class questions.
GET IN THE FIGHT, STAY IN THE FIGHT, JOIN THE ISRA
To Join the ISRA, Go To: https://isra.org/join-us/
November 21, 1877 – The publication, Scientific American, announces Thomas Edison’s invention of the phonograph. The first known words recorded were “Mary had a little lamb.” Because of this invention, Thomas Edison earned the nickname “The Wizard of Menlo Park.” Two years later he would invent the light-bulb.
November 22, 1906 – Distress signal “S.O.S.” was adopted as the international distress signal. Many ships still did not have radios and, if they did, they only operated part of the day. Still, it was a start.
November 22, 1963 – President John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, Texas. – I remember that day well. I was in physical science class at Illinois State University. The professor announced the assassination of JFK. Several girls in the class stood up and began crying because they thought it was the end of the United States.
I was scheduled to spend that weekend with my two cousins in Peoria, Illinois, who were television engineers for WMBD television. They were, of course, called in and I went with them. WMBD was a CBS station but had feeds coming in from NBC and ABC. I spent the next several days immersed in that historic event. It is a memory I will never forget.
November 23, 1942 – The Soviet armies surrounded the Germans at Stalingrad. The Russian winter and long, slow supply lines combined to bog down the German army as they attempted to invade. Because of this, the Soviet forces captured 250,000 German and 65,000 Romanian troops. Tank battles became the theme of the Eastern front.
The most ubiquitous American tank at the time was the M4 Sherman. This was a medium tank, which was out-classed by the German tanks. U.S. industry produced 49,000 Sherman tanks before the end of World War II. It wasn’t that American industry could not produce a heavier tank, but rather the problem of transporting these tanks to the front that was the problem. It would have been very difficult for ships to handle the transport because of their weight. The fear was that the heavier tanks would capsize the ships. Despite being out-gunned and out-armored, however, the vast number of Sherman tanks utilized weapons like bazookas and artillery to overwhelm the Germans.
It was not until 1952 that the United States produced a main battle tank (MBT). The tank was named the Patton Tank after the famous tank commander, General George Patton. Some of those tanks are still in service around the world.
November 24, 1963 – Nightclub owner, Jack Ruby, killed alleged John Kennedy assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, in the basement of the Dallas Police Station. Oswald’s transfer from the police station was being televised live and millions of viewers, including myself, witnessed the shooting as it happened.
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 23 – 24 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee Co. Fairgrounds
Nov 30 – Dec 1 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Gun Show, Sangamon Co. Fairgrounds, New Berlin, Sat 9am – 3pm; Sun 9 am – 2pm, Admission $5 adults
Nov 30 – Dec 1 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau Co Fairgrounds, Princeton
Dec 7 – Dec 8 Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club House, Chillicothe
Dec 8 Kane County Gun Show – Kane County Fairgrounds
Dec 14 – Dec15 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee Co. Fairgrounds
Dec 14 – Dec15 Peoria Gun & Knife Show – Exposition Gardens, Peoria
Dec 21 – Dec22 Crown Point Gun Show, Lake County Fairgrounds, Crown Point, IN
Jan 4 – Jan 5, 2025 Decatur Gun & Knife Show, Decatur Conference Center & Hotel, Decatur, IL
Jan 12, 2025 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL
Jan 25 – Jan 26, 2025 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL
Feb 1 – Feb 2, 2025 Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL
Feb 8 – Feb 9, 2025 Quad Cities Gun Show, QCCA Expo Center, Rock Island, IL
Feb 9, 2025 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL
Feb 15 – Feb 26, 2025 Central Illinois Gun Collectors New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL
March 9, 2025 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL
March 29 – March 30, 2025 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL
April 13, 2025 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL
ISRA Grassroots Monthly Meetings
Come and meet fellow activists and learn the latest on protecting our Second Amendment Rights!
East Central Illinois – 3rd Thurs – Clifton Sportsman’s Club, 3106 US-45 #52, Clifton, IL; Doors open 6pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm
Northwest Suburban – 3rd Tues – Golden Corral, 1591 S. Randall Rd., Algonquin, 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
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