Look for the trees to achieve their full fall colors in the next 10 days.  This is my favorite time of the year.  Most of the crops in the state are being harvested at a near record pace.  Deer will be running everywhere so be careful out there.

In Boston, Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor dismissed Mexico’s suit against Smith & Wesson, Sturm Ruger and Company, and others (this is the Country of Mexico not the State of New Mexico).  Mexico was seeking 10 billion dollars in damages claiming that American manufacturers undermined Mexico’s gun laws.  Gun laws in Mexico are a farce anyway.  The drug cartels run the place.  Gun laws are there to prevent law-abiding citizens from firearm ownership.  It was very difficult digging up the details on this case.  For some reason, the media wasn’t wanting to talk about it. 

We are seeing more lawsuits being filed against anti-gun states and municipalities.  The Second Amendment Foundation has filed suit against Glendale, California, who restricted the rights of people to carry on public property.  In a Massachusetts case, the state tried to put so many hurdles in front of people who were trying to get a concealed carry permit, it was impossible to obtain one.  That case has been remanded back to a lower court so the plaintiff can get justice. 

We are 26 days from the Midterm Elections.  The polls in various states will start moving closer together between opponents.  Nevada looks like it will be a close one and Pennsylvania will tighten up also.  I would like to see Mark Kelly of Arizona (Gabby Gifford’s husband) defeated.  These are ones to watch. 

In watching races around the country, my nomination for the biggest hypocrite is Stacey Abrams of Georgia.  Gubernatorial candidate Abrams is a dyed-in-the-wool kool aide drinking avowed guns for me but not for thee candidate.  Abrams has been spending an average of $120,000 a month on personal security.  I hope she not only gets defeated, I hope she gets trounced.

Here in Illinois, I don’t expect too many surprises.  Governor Pritzker has almost nothing on his schedule meaning he is pretty confident.  It doesn’t matter, go and vote anyway.  There may be some down ballot pro-gun State Representatives and Senators that can be picked up.  Never give in.

The NRA used to be accused by the anti-gun left of buying politicians off.  The NRA is poor compared to Everytown, Michael Bloomberg’s anti-gun front group.  On Monday, Everytown announced it was dumping 2.3 million dollars into Michigan alone.  Anti-gun wacko Governor Gretchen Whitmer wants to beat down anyone who supports the Second Amendment.  

If you ever thought the Biden Administration and their assorted appointed flunkies were really going after bad guys with guns, think again.  While the ATF is busy driving legitimate firearm dealers out of business over simple clerical errors, they are letting the bad guys skate away.  A case in point here is three California men were converting and trafficking in fully automatic firearms and threatening to kill people.  Each count would be worth five years in the Federal Pen and a fine of $250,000.  One guy was charged with one count and got three years.  The other two got probation with nothing else.

One of the new problems we may be facing soon is a nationwide rail strike.  While many of us were led to believe this was not going to happen, it is quite possible.  There was no settlement, just a cooling off period until after the Midterm Elections.  What a coincidence that it would come after the Midterms.  Firearms, ammunition, and other supplies the shooters depend on are shipped by rail at some point.  We still have a supply chain problem and a rail strike would make it worse.  I suggest you stock up now on anything you think you might need.  Why take the chance?  Rail transportation accounts for about three quarters of a trillion dollars in the United States economy each year, a very significant amount.

Don’t forget your entry into the 119th Anniversary Coin Raffle which is nearing the end.  The postmark must be by October 17^thor before.  This is our biggest fundraiser of the year.  We could use your help.  The 119th Anniversary Coin commemorates not only the founding of the ISRA, but the Bill of Rights. 

October 15^th is our annual Sighting In Day at our range in Bonfield, west of Kankakee.  If you are going hunting, you should be sure your gun is sighted in and working properly.  Even if you are not going hunting but have a newly purchased firearm, we will be glad to help you with that also.  The cost is $10 per firearm.  You will need to bring at least 25 rounds of ammunition with you.  The hours are from 10am to 3pm.  I would arrive no later than 2:30pm. The location is 1589 N 7000 West Rd, Bonfield, IL 60913. 

Tidbits: 

October 13, 1775 - Happy birthday U.S. Navy!  Congress authorizes our first Naval Force.  The first ships were the Alfred, Columbus, Andrew Doria, Wasp, and the Fly.  Congress also authorized five Captains, five First Lieutenants, and Five Second Lieutenants.  One of the First Lieutenants was John Paul Jones.  I’m sure the British did not know who he was, but they would soon find out.

October 14, 1912 - Theodore Roosevelt is shot while greeting people in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  He was shot by John Schank, a saloon keeper who would later be declared insane.  Roosevelt was shot at close range with a 32.  The bullet hit the manuscript for Roosevelt’s speech he was giving later that night.   Roosevelt pulled the bloodstained manuscript out of his pocket and announced not even a bullet would stop him.  Roosevelt spoke for another hour and was taken to the hospital.  He was patched up and delivered his evening speech as if nothing had happened.  I wonder how squint-eyed Joe would do in such a situation.

October 15, 2004 - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rules that funeral hearse manufacturers no longer need to put child seat anchors in their vehicles.  There are only two front seats in hearses and no one wants to ride in the passenger seat anyway.  If you are in the back of the hearse, it’s probably too late to worry about a seat belt.

October 19, 1835 - Texas approves the creation of the Texas Rangers.  They were independent from the Texas legislature until 1930.  The State of Texas wanted to regain control over the Rangers because of the complaints regarding excessive violence and disregard for the finer points of the law.  I’m not sure with what is going on today that their methods should be brought back.

October 19, 1781 - George Washington lays siege to the British Army at Yorktown, Virginia.  The pipsqueak Americans defeated the mighty British with the help of the French.  British General Cornwallis claimed to be sick (I’ll bet he was) and had British General Charles O’Hara surrender his sword.  The British band played “The World Turned Upside Down” at the surrender.  The war officially ended on September 3, 1783, when the Treaty of Paris was signed.

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Visit www.isra.org
Upcoming Events:

Saturday, October 15, 2022
Sighting-In-Day
ISRA Hard Dogs Check-in & Meeting

Sunday, October 16, 2022
Handgun Drills
ISRA Academy RSO Class

Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Tuesday Night Irregular Rifles

Wednesday, October 19, 2022
F-Class League
Paper Steel League

Wednesday, October 19, 2022
F-Class League
Paper Steel League

Friday, October 21, 2022
AR15 Home Defense Fundamentals

Saturday, October 22, 2022
ISRA Academy Basic Pistol Class

Saturday, October 29, 2022
Tactical Carbine Class
Armed Women of America

Sunday, October 30, 2022
Bullseye Match
Fall Glock League

Gun & Trade Shows

McHenry County Gun Show – Woodstock, IL
McHenry County Fairgrounds
Date: October 15, 2022
Hours: Saturday: 7:30-1:00
Admission: $5.00

Peoria Gun & Knife Show – Peoria, IL
Exposition Gardens
Dates: October 22 & 23, 2022
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $6.00

Crown Point Gun Show – Crown Point, IN
Lake County Fairgrounds
Dates: October 22 & 23, 2022
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $5.00

Bloomington Gun & Knife Show – Bloomington, IL
Interstate Center
Dates: October 29 & 30, 2022
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-4:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $8.00 (2-day pass $10.00)

Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show – Kankakee, IL
Kankakee County Fairgrounds
Dates: October 29 & 30, 2022
Hours: Saturday: 8:00-3:00
             Sunday: 8:00-2:00
Admission: $6.00

Sauk Trail Gun Show – Princeton, IL
Bureau County Fairgrounds
Dates: October 29 & 30, 2022
Hours: Saturday: 8:30-4:00
             Sunday: 8:30-3:00
Admission: $5.00