October 3, 2024
LITIGATION UPDATES
Special bulletin coming tomorrow.
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The 39th Gun Rights Policy Conference
Last weekend, I attended the 39th Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC) in San Diego, California. The first GRPC I ever attended was the Conference’s 14th or 15th. Which ever one it was, these conferences have gotten better and better each year. The GRPC is the best event, anywhere, for those who want to be updated on Second Amendment issues.
The location of next years event has not been announced but, wherever it is, you must try to go.
The speakers at the GRPC are a Who’s Who of the Second Amendment movement. Not only do you get to hear them each evening but there is also a reception where you can talk to them, one-on-one. You will find out these are real people with not only the same concerns as you have but with great insights you cannot get anywhere else.
I have to admit, I do not always like what I learn, particularly about how well financed and organized the anti-gun movement has become, but it is out there, and it is better to know than to not know.
There is good news also, however. While at the conference, an attorney who represents gun owners in the Cortland New York Housing Authority lawsuit announced a victory. Housing Authorities seem to think that residents have to give up their Second Amendment Rights to live there. This is not true. The ISRA has been involved in four such cases, winning them all. Cortland, however, was a particularly interesting case. The person in charge at the Housing Authority, insisting that residents or applicants for residency bring in their firearms to her, would, in turn, offer them $25 or $50 apiece and then sell them on the side. The corruption and hypocrisy of these people is mind-boggling!
In addition, I am also pleased to say the Illinois State Rifle Association got four shout-outs from the podium complimenting our great work. Nice to hear. I will let you know where the next GRPC is going to be. The great news is the conference is free, including the receptions. You have to pay for your own transportation and rooms but those are small items considering what you get in return.
The Beauty of Fall
The fall winds, Mother Nature’s choreographer, are hard at work providing a dance routine for the falling leaves on roads, highways, yards and fields. It is their final dance recital of the year. Soon the leaves will huddle-up along curbs, fences and bushes to languish, brown, and wait for their enviable fate. I will miss their spectacular colors. Fall is too short lived, so enjoy it while it’s here.
Twisting the Truth to Fit the Narrative
Every day we watch government bureaucrats dig their talons deeper and deeper into the lives of American citizens. They take advantage of events, twisting them to their purposes, regardless of the facts. The hoorah over the would-be assassin who recently stalked former President Donald Trump is no exception. Bureaucrats and pundits sweep aside the facts in the case, including his past criminal record and suspicious trips abroad, despite the fact he only had $300 in the bank.
The ATF decided to concentrate on the fact that his rifle had the serial number obliterated. The FBI crime lab, supposedly, is able to raise serial numbers in such instances. So where did that ability go?
Be that as it may, a serial number does not matter that much anyway. Nevertheless, they used the obliterated serial number to call for more gun control with the help of their fellow travelers, the Giffords, Everytown, and others. Does anyone in their right mind think that a person whose intent is to assassinate a former or current public official cares about obliterating a serial number? Don’t answer that, I have a weak stomach.
Kudos to Canadians
It isn’t often that I get to report on success stories, but here is a good one. Canada, a country in the clutches of left-wing nut jobs, has spent $67,000,000 on a firearm registration scheme. No firearms were actually registered…not one, zero, nada, zippo. I am proud of those stalwart Canadians who refused to comply. I have always thought that Western Canada would make a welcome addition to the United States!
Election 2024
The 2024 General Election is looming large. In my opinion, the fate of the United States is teetering in the balance. Here is some information you need.
Early voting is a big deal these days and can often influence the outcome of the election. I urge you to vote early or by mail. If you want to vote by mail, you should make your request now by contacting your County Clerk or local election authority. The last day for your request is Thursday, October 31st. Do it now!!
The first day of early voting was Thursday, September 26.
The last day to register by mail is Tuesday, October 8.
The last day to register online is Sunday, October 20.
The last day to vote early is Monday, November 4.
Of course, we have the Presidential Election. The down ballot candidates (below the President) are really important also.
In Illinois, all 17 congressman seats are up for election. In the Illinois General Assembly, all 118 State Representatives seats are up for election. In the Illinois Senate, 20 seats are up for election. Every two years approximately one third of seats are up for election. There are two Illinois Supreme Court seats up for election. You can see how important it is to vote in this election.
If you would like to donate to us, please visit: https://isra.org/support-us/.
Thank you for your support!
Education & Training
We have CCL Renewal classes at the ISRA Range on 10/13 1-4pm and 11/13 1-4pm. Also, CCL Classes 4 nights from 5p-9p in total 16 hours. Oct 7-10 and 2 day CCL Class on 11/16-11/17 8:30am-5pm.
ISRA Academy will travel! Mandi is happy to schedule classes for groups or individuals at their local range or facility. Travel classes include: CCL renewal, CCL, NRA Basic Pistol, NRA Basic Rifle, NRA Range Safety Officer, and Stop the Bleed; additional classes continue to be added so please contact academy@isra.org for any training or class questions.
Enter the Sighting-In Day Raffle Today!
Entries must be postmarked by October 5, 2024.
You can download the Entry Form HERE or call the ISRA office at 815-635-3198.
Learn more about the Sighting-In Day at the ISRA Range HERE!
GET IN THE FIGHT, STAY IN THE FIGHT, JOIN THE ISRA
To Join the ISRA, Go To: https://isra.org/join-us/
ISRA members: The Spring and Summer 2024 Shooter is now on our website at: https://isra.org/illinois-shooter-newspaper/
Hawken 200th Anniversary Raffle
In celebration of Hawken Rifle’s 200th anniversary, we are holding a unique one-of-a-kind raffle. First prize is a 50 cal. Hawken Percussion Target Rifle, plus complete 6-piece kit. 2nd prize is an 1858 Remington 44 cal. Pistol, 3rd prize is a Lyman 54 cal. Pistol. Winning ticket drawn on October 20, 2024. <View the raffle flier>, and <download the raffle ticket order form here.>
October 8, 1918 – Corporal Alvin C. York single-handedly kills 20 German soldiers and captures 132 more. His bravery and marksmanship skills earned him the United States’ highest award, the Medal of Honor.
General John J. Pershing said York was the greatest civilian soldier in World War I.
The 1941 movie “Sergeant York” epitomized York’s marksmanship and bravery. Sergeant York continued to serve in the military until after the end of World War II. He also used his fame to found a school for under-privileged children known as the Alvin C. York Institute.
Alvin died in 1964. At that time, President Lyndon B. Johnson called him “a symbol of American courage and sacrifice.” That he was.
October 8, 1871 – The Great Chicago Fire begins. Just for the record, Mrs. O’Leary’s cow did not cause it. A reporter later confessed he had made up the story. More likely, a meteor shower, which started fires in Wisconsin and Illinois the same night, was the culprit.
One over-looked fact in the Chicago Fire saga is the help that came from small communities in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and even Iowa, to help save the people of Chicago. In my hometown of Chatsworth, Illinois, and surrounding towns, women baked bread and loaded them onto trains bound for Chicago to feed the displaced residents there. Meat/poultry and other aid was also sent freely, without thought of reimbursement. It was an act of great charity and sacrifice. Acts such as these are just one of the many, many things that makes the United States the greatest country in the world.
October 9, 1888 – The Washington Monument opens. It was the tallest building in the world until the Eiffel Tower was built the following year. The Washington Monument is 555 feet high, in case anyone happens to ask you.
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.
Oct 5 – 6 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Gun Show, Sangamon Co. Fairgrounds, New Berlin, Sat 9am – 3pm; Sun 9 am – 2pm, Admission $5 adults
Oct 13 Kane County Gun Show – Kane County Fairgrounds
Oct 26 – 27 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau Co. Fairgrounds, Princeton
Oct 26 – 27 Will County Gun Show, Will Co. Fairgrounds, Peotone
Nov 1 – 2 Mt. Vernon Knife Show, Rolland Lewis Comm. Bldg,, Mount Vernon
Nov 2 – 3 Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, Interstate Center, Bloomington
Nov 9 Youth Wing-shooting/Pheasant Hunt, Iroquois Co. State Wildlife Area, Beaverville. Call to register: 815-933-1383 or click here for more information .
Nov 9 – 10 Quad Cities Gun Show, QCCA Expo Center, Rock Island
Nov 10 Kane County Gun Show – Kane County Fairgrounds
Nov 16 – 17 Crown Point Gun Show, Lake Co. Fairgrounds, Crown Point, IN
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
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