October 31, 2024
Up-coming Elections
It is not news that the 2024 General Election is only days away. I must say, I have the brassy taste of anticipation in my mouth. Nationally, it is all on the line…not only for the presidency and the congress but the bureaucracies over which they ride herd. Those bureaucracies are controlled by layers of unelected people and form what is known as the “shadow“ government. These bureaucracies are staffed with people who have an agenda but are accountable to almost no one. Even when they are held accountable, nothing happens to them anyway. They should be looking out for citizens, not ruling over them. Clearly, this “shadow” government, which is increasingly being weaponized against the people, is the greatest danger to democracy that we face today.
Prime examples of this “shadow” government are the Department of Justice and it’s entities like the ATF, FBI, IRS and other 3-letter agencies. Two examples, in particular, that people do not often think of, are the EPA and the Department of the Interior. The Department of Interior, for example, has 11 sub-bureaucracies. They include the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife, National Park Service, Office of Surface Mining, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and others. The Department of Interior controls over 382,000 square mile of surface area and nearly 1,100,000 square miles of under ground area in the United States.
For a great example of how “shadow” government actually works, one only needs to look at the hunting and shooting regulations for government property. The hunting regulations alone are over 100 pages long and it discourages hunters rather than helps them. Hunters call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife the “Not US” Fish and Wildlife Service. The staff of the Department of Interior also promotes the introduction of apex predators which devastate elk, mule deer and other animals. These apex predators exponentially reduce a hunter’s success. Of course, liberal-infested agencies like the BLM intend it to be difficult on hunters because they dislike the owning of firearms.
These are thumb-nail sketchs of how important the “drop down” effect of the presidential and congressional races are. The Department of Interior has 70,000 employees. That is roughly one employee for every 5.5 square miles of surface land they “manage”. I don’t know how the antelope, elk and mule deer ever got along without them, but they must have since there were far more creatures before the government bureaucrats “helped” them.
The election of a president and everyone else down-ballot has more importance than most people think. This may be the most important vote you have ever made. Vote pro-gun!
Litigation Update
There are no changes or updates as of today.
Crime Doesn’t Pay…Sometimes
In Eugene, OR, at 5pm the other night, a gunman burst into a gas station with his gun drawn. The gas station owner was ready and shot the would-be robber who immediately started crying “I don’t want to die!” The wound was minor but it seems to me that if you don’t want to die, you might want to think of a different line of work.
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.
If you would like to donate to us, please visit: https://isra.org/support-us/.
Thank you for your support!
Education & Training
ISRA Academy is continuing to offer CCL renewals each month, upcoming dates November 14, 1pm – 4pm and November 30, 1pm – 4pm.
Targeteers Junior Rifle Club starts on November 14, informational meeting on November 7 at 5:30pm and November 9 from 1:30pm – 3:30pm. Juniors ages 10 – 19 are invited with their parents to come learn about the new program.
RSO Class November 2, 2024. Several slots are still available.
NRA Basic Rifle is November 10, 2024. Several slots are still available.
CCL Class offered November 16 & 17, 8:30am – 5pm.
Glock Armorer & Operators Courses – I am pleased to announce that, once again, we will be able to offer a Glock armorer course and a Glock operators course at the ISRA Range in Bonfield, IL. The armorer course will be on February 11, from 8am to 5pm and the operators course will be on February 12 / 13 from 8am to 5pm. Registration is now open for these classes. Do not miss these great training opportunities!
Glock Armorer Course Registration HERE.
Glock Operators Course Registration HERE.
Please contact academy@isra.orgfor 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/
October 31 – Happy Halloween!
October 31, 1517 – German Catholic priest, Martin Luther, nails his 95 Theses to the door of the Catholic church in Wittenberg, Germany. Martin Luther, in these theses, condemned the sale of “indulgences” which was the practice of purchasing forgiveness for cash. Prince Frederick the Wise, of Germany, had banned the practice. Martin Luther agreed with him but many of his parishioners traveled elsewhere to purchase their “forgiveness”, having then brought the evidence of such back to show to Martin Luther. I’m sure glad they did away with it! I couldn’t purchase enough forgiveness to save my soul because I wouldn’t have enough money.
In 1521, Pope Leo X excommunicated Martin Luther from the church. Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V of Germany, held the Diet (assembly) of Worms (Worms is a city in Germany on the Rhine River) which issued the Edict of Worms that declared Martin Luther an outlaw and gave permission to anyone to kill him without consequence. Martin Luther, protected by Prince Frederick, began working on a German translation of the Bible, which took 10 years to finish. The Protestant Revolution had begun.
October 31, 1892 – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle published The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The book was written so well, most people thought Holmes was a real person. Leaders from all around the world tried to contact Mr. Holmes to train their police departments.
November 1, 1512 – Michelangelo unveils his work within the Sistine Chapel. He painted over 300 figures across the ceiling of the chapel, most of which while laying on his back atop a 60 foot high scaffold. I have seen the Sistine Chapel and it is breathtaking. The fact that Michelangelo was able to design, organize and recreate his work across a huge expanse of ceiling in just 4 years was truly amazing. I am sure he kept the Roman chiropractors in business!
November 1, 1777 – The USS Ranger, under the command of John Paul Jones, leaves Portsmouth, New Hampshire. His first stop was Brest, France, where he took on supplies and headed to the Irish Sea to begin raiding British warships.
November 3 – Daylight Savings Time ends. I hope you remember to set your clocks back. Enjoy your extra hour of sleep – you will have to give it up in the Spring!
November 3, 1918 – The Central Powers, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire, face revolution led by the communists. We must remember that communists were at work here in the United States as well. A discussion of their activites can be found in J. Edgar Hoover’s book Masters of Deceit. Communists are still active in the U.S. today.
November 4, 1979 – The American Embassy in Tehran, Iran, was overrun and those working there were held captive for 444 days. We are still suffering the consequences.
November 5, 1941 – The combined Japanese fleet received “Order Number 1”. That order was to bomb Pearl Harbor. Also bombed was Malaysia, the Dutch East Indies and the Philippines. The United States was asleep then and seems to be going asleep again today. This must not happen again.
November 5 – Election Day! If you have not voted yet, GO VOTE and vote pro-gun!
November 6,1917 – The Bolsheviks revolted in Russia. Lead by Vladimir Lenin, they occupied government buildings in Petrograd (now St. Petersberg) in a nearly bloodless coup. In 1918, however, they killed Czar Nicholas II and his entire family. One of those involved was none other than Joseph Stalin. Eventually, they would form the world’s first communist state, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).
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 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
Dec 21 – Dec22 Crown Point Gun Show, Lake County Fairgrounds, Crown Point, IN
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