Executive Directors Message
Richard Pearson

In the Macon County assault weapons case, Caulkins et al v J.B.Pritzker et al, the new law has been ruled unconstitutional by Judge Rodney Forbes.  Judge Forbes has issued a temporary restraining order stopping the gun ban and registry.  The TRO covers all citizens in the State of Illinois, not just the named plaintiffs.  This case will go directly to the Illinois Supreme Court and expected to be heard in May.

The State of Illinois argument is that at the time of the adoption of the Second Amendment, citizens only had flintlocks.  The U. S. Military also only had flintlocks.  They were supposed to be equal.  At the time, they had pen, paper, and ink; they did not have cell phones, the internet, or FaceBook.  Free speech applied then as it does now.  What the state refuses to see is that technology changes but civil rights do not.

The cases in the U.S. Court for the Southern District of Illinois are moving forward.  The ISRA Case, Harrel et al v Raoul et al is scheduled to be heard on April 12, 2023.  That is before the Illinois Supreme Court hears the Macon County case.  We will have to see how all this plays out.

One other ISRA court case is Miller et al v Smith et al. Miller is the plaintiff and Smith is the acting Director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.  In Illinois and California, foster parents are stripped of their Second Amendment right by bureaucrats.  If you are a foster parent, you can’t have a firearm for your defense or the defense of those in your care.  Even if no child is present, the rule still applies.  There are no exceptions.  The case is on appeal to the Seventh Circuit.  If we win this case, it will affect laws in 44 states.

In Florida, HB543, the permit-less carry bill, looks like it will hit Governor DeSantis this session.  The anti-gun crowd does not want armed citizens to be able to carry in public places which of course makes everyone in these places sitting ducks.  Any place that restricts concealed or open carry makes those places an unrestricted hunting ground for criminals.  There are none so blind as those who will not see. 

Nebraska also seems to be getting closer to permit-less carry.  If both Florida and Nebraska pass their respective bills, that would mean 27 states would have some form of constitutional carry.

One of the more interesting black powder shoots is the Sgt. Alvin C. York Memorial Shoot.  This match is an “over the log” match shot in the way it was done years ago, and is held in Sgt York’s old stomping ground, the Valley of the Three Forks of the Wolf, near Pall Mall, Tennessee.  This match will be held on March 25^th, 2023.  Pre-registration is $40; on-site, if there are any spots left, it is $45.  The pre-registration must be postmarked by March 13^th, 2023.  If you are interested, the information is below:

Alvin C. York Memorial Shoot
C/O Londean Warner
2223 North Fort Wayne Road
Rushville, Indiana 46173
Checks payable to the Alvin C. York Shoot

I have been seeing and reading news reports about the dwindling supplies of small arms ammunition held by the U.S. Military.  I am sure the main cause is the war in Ukraine.  I’m not complaining, just stating a fact.  I hear the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant near Independence, Missouri, is running three shifts every day.  There is no more capacity available.  Lake City is our number one military ammunition maker.  Last Monday, another report said ammunition shortages among are allies, particularly NATO allies, are also worrisome.  If we get into another brushfire war or two, that will strain the system even further.  To give you an idea of how much ammunition is being used, I will use the production of 155mm artillery shells as an indicator.  The United States had to ramp up production of the 155s from 14,500 shells a day to 20,000 a day.  That is also capacity.

If the situation gets any worse, and I would not be surprised if it did, the government will take over private manufacturers of small arms ammunition like Winchester, Federal, Remington and others.  That means the civilian supplies of ammunition will vanish pretty much overnight.  I would suggest everyone add to their ammunition supplies while the prices are somewhat lower.  That is what I am going to do.

Upcoming 2023 Midwest Firearms Training Classes - All Classes Held at the ISRA Range:
May 27-28, Intro to Defensive Pistol: This intensive two-day program introduces the new or novice shooter to combat handgun training.  Included in the program are firearms safety issues, marksmanship basics, various shooting positions, speed reloads, drawing from a holster, and more.  This is designed for the shooter who has never had formal firearms training or would like to review the fundamentals.  Emphasis is placed on trigger control, sight alignment, accuracy, and safety.  500 rounds.  No prerequisite required.  Contact Andy Kemp at 208-771-3413 or andy1911@imaxmail.net  or visit www.midwesttraininggroup.net
June 24-25, Defensive Rifle: Two-day course takes beginners and intermediate shooters to advanced level. This is geared toward the environment that most of us live in, suburban and semi-rural, or home defense. Centerfire semi-automatic rifles, or pistol-caliber carbines only.  Slings are mandatory. Red dot type sights are allowed and BUIS are advisable.    At least two rifle mags and two pistol mags.  Holster, mag pouches etc.  Firing will be from short range (100 yards to nearly muzzle contact.) Covering positional shooting-standing, kneeling, sitting, prone and cover positions, one hand firing and reloading techniques, zeroing options, shooting while moving, mirror image shooting and transitions, malfunction clearing and adjusting for offset at various distances.  600 rounds rifle and 100 rounds pistol.  No Prerequisite.  Cost: $600.00.  Contact Andy Kemp at 208-771-3413 or andy1911@imaxmail.net  or visit www.midwesttraininggroup.net
October 5-8, Massad Ayoob MAG-40: This is an intense, four-day, 40-hour immersion course in the “rules of engagement” for armed law-abiding private citizens.  The course emphasizes legal issues, tactical issues, and aftermath management. Topics will include interacting with suspects, witnesses, responding police officers, threat recognition and mind-set, and the management of the social and psychological aftermath of having to use lethal force in defense of self or others.  Also covered is preparing beforehand for legal repercussions and minimizing your exposure to them. Situations in the home, at the place of business, or “on the street” will all be covered.  Range work will include instruction in the use of the defensive handgun under extreme stress. Drawing from concealment, two-handed stances, shooting from cover, one-handed stances with either hand, speed reloading, and more are taught with an overall emphasis on fast, accurate shot placement. The course will culminate with a written examination covering the classroom topics and a police-style handgun qualification course.  500 rounds.  No prerequisite required. 
Contact Andy Kemp at 208-771-3413 or andy1911@imaxmail.net  www.MidwestTrainingGroup.net

SAVE THE DATE: IGOLD 2023 - March 29, 2023. I know some groups are talking about bringing buses.  We need to know If you are bringing a bus so we can arrange for parking. The ISRA will pay for the parking, but we need to know as soon as possible. 

Tidbits:

March 9, 1781 - The Siege of Pensacola.  When we think of the Revolutionary War, we think of the fledgling United States, Great Britain, and France.  Often overlooked is Spain.   Spain gave us a hand as well.  King Charles III of Spain was worried about setting a precedent of setting one population against another empire, namely the British.  He also wanted Gibraltar back and to solidify Spain’s North American holdings.  Spain was an ally of France but avoided signing an alliance with the United States. 
The British occupied part of west Florida.  Spain attacked tying up the British, so they were unable to send any troops north and they had to supply their Florida garrisons.  Spain regained all of Florida.  In the end, Spain traded Florida for the Bahamas.

March 10, 1988 - Disco star Andy Gibb dies at age 30.  He had complained of chest pains and was hospitalized in Oxford, England.  He died of a virus in his heart.  The first three records Andy Gibb released went to number 1 on the charts.  Nothing like that happened before or since.  Gibb had a cocaine habit.  His years of abuse weakened his heart.  Drugs were not the cause of his death directly, but because of them, he couldn’t fight off the virus.

March 11, 1779 - Congress establishes the Army Corps of Engineers.  After the Revolutionary War was over, it disbanded as people left the Continental Army.  In 1794, Congress created the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers.  In 1802, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers was reestablished. 

One of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers greatest achievements was the fortification of New York Harbor during the War of 1812.  The brilliantly planned fortifications they created kept the British from attacking New York Harbor.  Today, the Statue of Liberty sits on the foundations of the fortifications.  In 1824, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers became responsible for flood control and navigation on the nation’s waterways.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was directed to open the rivers of the United States for shipping, which they did.

March 12, 1894 - Coca Cola is sold in bottles for the first time.  Up until that time, it was only sold at soda fountains.  Coca Cola signed a contract in 1915 that limited the cost of a bottle of Coke to five cents.  The contract did not have an end date.  It stayed that way until 1959, when the contract was finally renegotiated because of costs. 

March 14, 1964 - Jack Ruby is sentenced to death for the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald.  I was watching television coverage of the police moving Lee Harvey Oswald when Jack Ruby shot and killed him.  Later, Ruby’s sentence was reduced to life in prison.  Jack Ruby didn’t last long; he died of lung cancer in 1967.

March 14, 1917 - Czar Nicholas II abdicates the throne ending the Romanov dynasty.  The Bolsheviks had overthrown the government.  The Czar, his wife, and family were set to sail to England but didn’t because the children had measles.  That hesitation was a fatal error.  They were held captive and eventually beaten, bayoneted, and shot to death. 

Thanks for being a member. 

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Donate: https://isra.org/support-us/

Visit www.isra.org
Upcoming Events: https://isra.org/events-calendar/
Thursday, March 9 & 16, 2023
Women’s Pistol Team Practice

Saturday, March 11, 2023
ISRA Academy Basic Shotgun Class

Sunday, March 12, 2023
ISRA Marksmanship League

Tuesday, March 14 & 21, 2023
Air Gun Practice

Wednesday, March 15 & 22, 2023
Pellet Rifle League

Sunday, March 19, 2023
NRA Shotgun Instructor Class

Gun & Trade Shows

Prairieland Frontiersman Show – Sullivan, IL
American Legion Post 68
Dates: March 10 & 11, 2023
Hours: Friday: 12:00-6:00
             Saturday: 9:00-4:00

Belleville Gun & Knife Show – Belleville, IL
Belle-Clair Fairgrounds
Dates: March 11 & 12, 2023
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-4:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $7.00/$10.00 Weekend Pass

Kane County Sportsman’s Show – St Charles, IL
Kane County Fairgrounds
Date: March 12, 2023
Hours: Sunday: 7:30-1:30
Admission: $7.00

Prairieland Longrifle Show– Princeton, IL
Dates: March 17 & 18, 2023
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-4:00
             Sunday: 9:00-2:0
Admission: $5.00

Peoria Gun & Knife Show – Peoria, IL
Exposition Gardens
Dates: March 18 & 19, 2023
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $8.00

McHenry County Gun Show – Woodstock, IL
McHenry County Fairgrounds
Date: March 19, 2023
Hours: Sunday: 7:30-1:00
Admission: $5.00















 































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