Executive Director's Message
Richard Pearson
The advent of warm weather has brought out the worst in Chicago. This is no surprise.
The Mayor-elect is already making excuses for those who ruthlessly attacked innocent people and property. I suspect the Chicago Police Department will not be able to handle this, moreover, if they do, they would be in more trouble than the perpetrators.
One of the first rules of self-defense is if you know there is likely to be trouble, don’t go there. Last weekend a couple from Indianapolis drove to Chicago to see what it was like. Their car was wrecked by people pounding on it, and they ended up in the hospital. Indy was lovely last weekend. They should have stayed home.
There are increasing news stories about individuals
defending themselves, helping others under attack, and assisting the police. A great example of just such an act occurred last weekend in Houston, Texas. An armed citizen witnessed a person trying to withdraw money from an ATM. A thug attacked him and was pistol-whipping the guy. The armed citizen pulled in and engaged the thug, shooting him in the leg. The police showed up and soon discovered that their would-be robber was wanted for murder in Louisiana. Who knows what would
have happened to the intended victim if the armed citizens had not intervened. The guy was already wanted for murder, after all.
I know some of you are thinking, “It shouldn’t be this way,” lamenting that we have reached such a low state, hoping this will all change, none of which does any good.
Just standing around and thinking about change is a useless waste of time. You
cannot control the actions of others. You can only control your own actions and reactions. Now is the time to prepare yourself. If you don’t have concealed carry, get it. If you already have concealed carry, take more training.
The 152nd NRA Annual Meeting is over, and I have to say I enjoyed being there, meeting new members, old members, and good people from other states. We
slap met a lot of former Illinois residents, or as I call them, refugees. One of the things I noticed was the sheer number of people carrying both concealed and open. There was not a safer place in the world to be for those three days, as far as I am concerned. The police were there, of course, but they weren’t worried about anything. Why should they be? They had 20,000 people backing them up at any given time. It should be noted that none of those guns jumped out of a holster, pocket,
or purse and shot anyone.
I have been to a lot of big cities for meetings and conventions. I have never been to any place as clean as Indianapolis. I stayed about three blocks from the convention center traversing my route to and from about six times. I never once saw a cigarette butt, piece of paper, or trash on the street. On Saturday night, I was walking down the street, and a group of teenagers had gathered outside a
fast-food restaurant and were getting just a little rowdy. Several Indianapolis squad cars pulled up, and that was the end of that. Those kids vanished like a piece of pie at a Weight Watchers Convention.
Each morning the patriotic singing of the Star Spangled Banner announced the opening of the exhibit halls. The crowds stopped and came to attention. Hands were over hearts, and salutes were abundant. Whether the media and left-wing
politicians like it or not, these much-maligned people are the ones who have worked to make and keep this country great. They are the heart and backbone of America. I, like you, am proud to be among them.
Next year’s NRA Annual Meeting will be in Dallas.
After today, April 20, 2023, there are only 19 session days left in the Spring
Session of the Illinois General Assembly. Anything can happen, and nothing can happen. Thus far, the appropriations haven’t been decided, which is critical to state government. Everyone needs to be aware that language can be stripped out of a bill and new language substituted. This will not change the original title or description of the bill. To find out what a bill is really about, you have to read the last amendment or two...
If any of these bills have to go to committee, they will have a one-hour posting notice. This is done purposely so citizens have little time to react. Everyone will have to watch carefully.
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Tidbits
April 20, 1945
Adolf Hitler celebrates his 56th birthday. On the same day, he hangs 20 Jewish children and 20 Russian prisoners of
war.
April 21, 1845
The Texas militia, under the command of Sam Houston, defeats Mexican forces at San Jacinto. The defeat included the capture of General Santa Anna. Santa Anna was forced to recognize Texas' Independence in exchange for his own freedom. In December of 1845, Texas would become the 28th State in the United States.
April 21, 1865
Lincoln’s funeral train leaves Washington D. C on a 1654-mile journey to Springfield, Illinois. The train made 180 stops in cities and towns, both large and small. The train included not only President Lincoln’s coffin but also the coffin of Lincoln’s son Willie, who had died of typhoid fever in 1862. Willie was disinterred and was to be buried in the Lincoln
family plot not far from Lincoln’s Tomb.
April 22, 1778
John Paul Jones raids Whitehaven, England. The next day the fire would destroy Whitehaven… Great Britain had a written policy for burning American ports. John Paul Jones gave them a taste of their own medicine. Great anxiety spread through the region and in the British Parliament. When word
reached American shores, it was a great morale booster for the colonials. John Paul Jones famously said, “I wish to have no connection to any ship that does not sail; for I intend to go into harm's way.” He wasn’t kidding.
April 26, 1865
John Wilkes Booth dies on the farm of Richard Garrett. Booth was
hiding in a tobacco barn. Booth and an accomplice, David Herold, had asked to sleep in the barn. The farmer, Richard Garrett, didn’t trust them and thought they might try to steal his horses, so he had his son lock the barn doors from the outside.
Two detectives, Luther Baker and Everton Conger, along with a detachment from the 16th New York Cavalry, were on Booth and Herold’s
trail. Baker told Booth he had five minutes to get out or he would burn the barn. Herold gave up. Booth refused, so Conger lit a piece of rope on fire and ignited some hay in the barn. The fire spread quickly. It is thought that Booth was about to come out, but Sargent Boston Corbett shot at Booth, hitting him in the neck. Authorities wanted to question Booth about the conspiracy and how widespread it was. Booth was shot at about 2 am. He died in agony at about 7 am. Corbett
eventually received a reward of $1,653.85 for killing Booth.
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At the range, there are several interesting events, as usual. Please check the range calendar for details and sign-up information.
April 23rd, there is a Handgun Drills
class.
Project Appleseed has a class on the 22nd and 23rd. This a great rifle class.
The Tuesday Night Irregular Rifle League has started. There are several relays starting at 11 am till dusk. If you would like to try shooting High Power Rifle but have no experience, there are instructors there to help you. See Mike James.
On Wednesday, the Benchrest League takes off at 8:00 am and runs until 7:00 pm.
The F-Class runs from 8:00 am to 5 pm. This is a high-power rifle league. There is equipment and instruction for those who would like to try it out.
For pistol shooters, the paper steel league runs from 11 am to dusk. This is a pistol
league. Some experience is required.
On April 22, the ISRA Academy is offering a Basic Tactical pistol. To sign up, go to saferusa.com. It is great for those new to Concealed Carry.
On Saturday, the 29th, the Armed Women of America will have their monthly meeting and shoot.
They are looking for new
members. If you are a woman, please attend. The meeting is at 9 am. Range time begins at 10 am and ends at 12 noon. If you are new, you should go to the meeting first.
