November 30, 2023
On December 12th, Judge Steven P. McGlynn will hear a request for a preliminary injunction against the registration requirement in the Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA). Presently we are only weeks away from the registration requirement. The ISRA advises people wait to register firearms and accessories until after the hearing on December 12th and the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) meeting which is also scheduled for December 12th. It is our understanding that all the rules are not yet in place.
At this time, according to broadcaster Greg Bishop, only 0.017% of the 2,415,481 FOID card holders have registered. The rules of what has to be registered are confusing and sometimes vague at best. We will keep you informed.
The ISRA and others have filed for an en banc hearing on the PICA Act before the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. At this writing, we have not heard anything on our request for the en banc hearing.
As you may know, a three-judge panel of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled against us. An en banc hearing means that all fourteen judges on the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear our case along with the other plaintiffs. We feel this is an important step before we ask our case to be heard by the United States Supreme Court. We will keep you informed of the situation as it develops.
Tiny Township Declares Itself a Second Amendment Sanctuary – Forms Militia
You don’t have to be big to stand tall. Holton Township, Michigan adopted a Second Amendment Resolution declaring itself a Second Amendment Sanctuary, and forming its own militia, passed unanimously. The Muskegon County community, which had 2,586 people as of the 2020 Census, is a little over 200 miles northwest of Detroit. Township Supervisor Alan Jager said town officials acted to prevent residents’ rights from being violated.
“All you had to do is go to the right court: You’re going to get the judge to do it,” Jager said.
In a decisive move to uphold the constitutional rights of its citizens, Holton Township in Muskegon County, Michigan, has taken a stand for the Second Amendment.
In Recognition for the ISRA’s 120th Anniversary
On November 8th, the ISRA hosted a fundraiser with over 100 in attendance to celebrate our 120th anniversary with a special guest Bernard Kerik, who served as the 40th Police Commissioner of the New York City Police Department. Commissioner Kerik was also head of the NYPD on September 11, 2001 — a day where he lost 23 of his officers.
At the end of his speech, Commissioner Kerik presented President Doug Mayhall and the ISRA with a rare, historical gift — a signed copy of his September, 27, 2001 weekly report to Mayor Rudy Giuliani, which represented the first in-depth summary of the attacks in New York, on September 11.
Gun Ownership in America Hits Record High: 2nd Amendment More Popular Than Ever
There is a recent NBC News poll – 52 percent of respondents – that found a majority of households now have a firearm in their home, with much of the increase coming from self-identified Democrats.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation has reported that for 51 straight months, more than one million background checks on firearm transfers have been made, and it looks like that trend will continue when the numbers for November are released, in early December. Black Friday set a new record with 214,913 NICS background checks run on gun transfers on that day alone.
This reinforces the fact that Americans want to own firearms. I would not be surprised to see the number of firearm owners in the United States, will continue to climb in the coming years.
The Fifth Circuit Panel Ruled the ATF’S Final Rule is Illegal
This case deals with the fact that the ATF would have the ability, at their complete discretion, to hog-tie all gun enthusiasts from building their own firearms. Their rule, if not squashed, gives the ATF the ability to determine if any, and all firearm parts, and the tools used in the construction of a firearm, illegal. This potentially could include anything from a screwdriver, to a CNC machine, to a 3-D printer.
Circuit Judge Kurt D. Englehardt wrote, “An agency cannot label conduct lawful one day and felonious the next—yet that is exactly what ATF accomplishes through its Final Rule. Accordingly, the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED to the extent it holds unlawful the two challenged portions of the Final Rule, and VACATED and REMANDED as to the remedy.” The case is known as VanDerStok v. Garland.
“As we noted when the ruling came down, the ATF clearly exceeded its authority by arbitrarily changing the rules,” said Alan M. Gottlieb, founder and executive vice president of the Second Amendment Foundation, which intervened as a plaintiff in the case. “By granting our motion to issue the mandate immediately, the Fifth Circuit ruling allows us to return to the district court for a new remedy ruling right away, as opposed to weeks or months from now. The Fifth Circuit’s ruling sends a message to the agency and the Biden administration that its animosity toward gun owners and the Second Amendment does not empower the executive branch to change the law on a whim.” The ATF is the most unregulated agency in the Federal Government.
Act Now to Halt the Senate’s Federal Firearm License Requirement
Right now, in congress is resolution S.3212, titled the Federal Firearm Licensing Act, turns your natural right to acquire firearms, protected under the Second Amendment, into a government-regulated privilege.
Among other infringements, it gives the Attorney General of the United States wide discretion over whether you may obtain and retain a license to buy a gun.
Requirements to Obtain a License to Purchase
Take training in firearm safety.
Pass a written test about firearm law.
Pass a firearm safety test.
Pass an accuracy test.
Submit your fingerprints.
Pass a background check.
Submit make, model and serial number of firearm.
(no exemptions for self-manufactured guns or guns made before 1968).
How and When You May Use the License
You must use it within 30 days of the issue date.
You may purchase the single firearm only for which the license was issued.
The license expires after five years.
Denial and Revocation
If, in the opinion of the Attorney General, you pose a danger to yourself or others, s/he may deny or revoke your license. S/he may use any instance of lawful self-defense or any recent acquisition of firearms or ammunition in making that determination.
Take Action Now!
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Call Senator Durbin. Ask him to vote “NO” on S.3212!
Here is his contact info:
Chicago office at (312) 353-4952
Springfield office at (217) 492-4062
Washington, DC office at (202) 224-2152
First Day of Winter by Meteorological Standards
Contrary to the more familiar astronomical dates, meteorologists determine the first day of winter based on dividing the seasons into groups of three months, each starting on the first day of the month. Our meteorological winter runs from December 1 to February 28 (or 29 in a leap year). This allows the seasons to be more closely tied to the monthly civil calendar than the astronomical seasons, which can start on a different date each year.
It is very important that you help us get new members to fight the battles before all gun owners. To carry on this fight, we need more and more new people to become members of the ISRA.
You AND your new members will be entered into the drawing, for every new member you sign up!
Please feel free to make copies of the form you received in the mailing, if you can recruit more than one member, or call the office at 815-635-3198 if you did not receive the mailing, and we’ll mail it to you.
Your help is needed and very much appreciated!
Winners need not be present to win. All local, state and federal regulations regarding firearm transfers will be observed. Membership dues, donations and purchases paid to the ISRA are not tax deductible
November 30, 1876 – First Thanksgiving Day football game played. Yale defeats Princeton 2-0 in Hoboken, New Jersey. This first game drew about 1000 fans, on a cold and rainy November day. Football has always been a big attraction to fans.
December 1, 1958 – Our Lady of Angels school fire. Our Lady of the Angels was a Catholic grade school in the city of Chicago. The building had not been inspected or fireproofed, probably since it was built in the early 1900’s. The fire alarm system did not work. No fire drills had been conducted for the students. It was a recipe for disaster. I remember going to school after this the next day, and we had fire drills every day, sometimes twice a day for the rest of the school year. The kids all loved the fire drills, because it got us out of class!
November 2, 1777 – Philadelphia nurse Lydia Darragh is credited with savings the Continental Army. Nurse Darragh had overheard the British planning a surprise attack on George Washington’s army the following day. Patriot Darragh tipped off the American troops with hand-written details she had sewn into her coat, just in case she got stopped by British troops. When the British marched on Washington’s troops, they were surprised to find Washington was waiting for them.
The battle, located in Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania, lasted 3 days. Although neither Washington nor the British won, it would have been a disaster if Washington had not been tipped off.
December 3, 1818 – Illinois becomes the 21st state. Illinois started out in debt and has never gotten out of debt. This fact, along with the fact that Illinois has had more governors in prison than all other states combined, and more public officials in prison, makes me proud to be an Illinoian! When people from other states tease me about these facts, I tell them to quiet down, or we’ll come and steal all their stuff too!
December 4, 1867 – Oliver Kelly organizes the National Grange. It was the first attempt to organize farmers throughout the United States and became one of the most powerful political organizations in the country. The official name of the Grange is the “Order of the Patrons of Husbandry”.
Granges are sprinkled throughout the United States. When I travel around, I see Grange meeting halls still in use. It has been around for over 150 years and counting.
December 6, 1884 – The Washington Monument is completed. It is amazing that in those times they could build a 555-foot obelisk. I visited as a teenager; I climbed all the way to the top using the stairs. I think from now on, I’ll use the elevator.
December 6, 1941 – The United States is asleep, confident that the Atlantic and Pacific oceans will protect them from the winds of war sweeping the globe. The next morning on December 7, at 7:55 a.m. Honolulu time, that pipe dream would end.
Click here to view the entire calendar. All classes and events are open to the public & all range members, unless otherwise noted. here
12-02 – Range Workday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
12-02 – ISRA Academy NRA Refuse To Be A Victim – Clubhouse, 8-12
12-03 – Bonfield Muzzle Loaders-Black Powder – Clubhouse & Range 2 (7-2), Range 6 (12-2)
12-05 – Air Gun Practice – Range 12 (Indoor Range) – 5:00-8:00
12-06 – F-Class Indoor League – Clubhouse/Range 12 – 10:00-2:00
12-06 – Air Rifle Practice – Range 12; Clubhouse – 11:00-3:00
The ISRA Range offers great classes and leagues
for shooting enthusiasts!
Interested in joining a league?
Just show up 15 – 30 minutes early.
Range memberships are available.
A day at the ISRA Range is always a great day!
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
While the gun show information shown in this email is believed to be correct – sometimes changes occur. This is provided for informational purposes only.
December 2 – 3 Will County Gun Show, Will County Fairgrounds, Peotone
December 2 – 3 Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Gun & Knife, Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club
December 9 – 10 Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, Interstate Center, Bloomington
December 9 – 10 Peoria Gun & Knife Show, Exposition Gardens, Peoria
December 10 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane Co. Fairgrounds, St. Charles
December 16 – 17 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee Co. Fairgrounds
December 16 – 17 ECA Hunting & Trade Shows, IL State Fairgrounds, Springfield
December 17 McHenry County Gun Show, McHenry Co. Fairgrounds, Woodstock
2024 SHOWS (added to as we receive more information
January 13 Davenport Gun & Knife Show, Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, Davenport
January 14 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles
January 20 – 21 Dubuque Gun & Knife Show, Grand River Conference Ctr., Dubuque