Executive Director's Message 

Richard Pearson

Litigation around the country seems to be going our way, for the moment, at least.  Most of the cases are in the various circuits of the United States courts.  That means they will have to go to the appellate courts and then on to the United States Supreme Court.  Many of those cases may not make it.  It will also take time.

One of the more interesting cases is in California.  Years ago, the State of California gave itself the power to make the California Approved Handgun Roster.  I can’t think of a less able group than the state government and the cabal of anti-gun camp followers who influence them. 

Like many titles for state projects, what the title proclaims and what happens are at opposite poles.  The real goal was to reduce the numbers and types of handguns California citizens could buy.   The fact is that no new handguns have been added to the list since 2013.  Some models have been upgraded, some are no longer produced, and many do not meet the new requirements that are added on from time to time.

A recognizable firearm which is affected is the Glock 19.  In 2013, Glock’s 19 was in the 3rd Generation model and was approved.  Since then, California has required new models that must have loaded chamber indicators, magazine disconnects, and micro stamping capabilities.  The new 5th generation Glocks do not have any of these, and for good reason.  If you are in a struggle to save your life, the person attacking you can also tell if you have a round in the chamber, something you may not want them to know.  A magazine disconnect prevents the gun from firing if the magazine is out of the gun. If you are changing magazines, the round in the chamber cannot be fired.  That last round may save your life, but you can’t use it.   Sometimes under stress, a magazine release is accidentally hit, and your magazine drops out.  The gun won’t fire.  Then there is microstamping, a technology that does not exist.  Moreover, if it did exist, any self-reliant gang banger would fire empty cases fired from your gun and throw them around a crime scene, so the cops chase you, not them.  The list of approved handguns Californians could purchase has been getting smaller and smaller every year.

The California Pistol and Rifle Association and others sued the State of California.  The case is known as Borland v Bonita.  Bonita is the California Attorney General.  U.S. Circuit Judge Cormac Carney issued a Preliminary Injunction against the California Approved Handgun Roster.  The judge noted that policemen in California do not have to be armed with handguns that are on the list.  He also pointed out that Californians have a right to the latest technology.  The injunction will not go into effect for 14 days.  This is enough time to allow the state to get the case before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, or as I call it, the Nutty Ninth.  This is a case that could go through the Supreme Court of the United States.

We are rapidly approaching several important moments in the various court cases filed against the new Illinois so-called “assault weapons“ law.  The state-level suits are scheduled to be heard by the Illinois Supreme Court.  Opinions vary as to the meaning of the circuit court’s rulings.  The only way to settle the matter is if a higher court rules.

The lawsuits brought before the U.S. Court for the Southern District of Illinois are scheduled for oral arguments on April 12, 2023.  There is also a Lawsuit in the Northern District of Illinois which will be combined into the lawsuits in the Southern District.  Whatever the court rules will be appealed to the Seventh Circuit and on to the Supreme Court of the United States.  The ISRA lawsuit, Harrel et al. v Raoul et al., is now combined with the other cases.  I know this is agonizing for you, but we get closer with every tick of the clock.

In circumstances like these, I am reminded of the opening words of Thomas Paine’s pamphlet written in 1776, entitled “The Crisis“:  “These are the times that try Men’s souls.  The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from service of their country, but he that stands by now deserves the love and thanks of every man and woman.  Tyranny like Hell is not easily conquered…….” 

In my view, this is similar to the battle we are in today.  Sometimes when we think of what lies ahead, our palms sweat, and our mouths get dry.   No matter, we will fight on.

In Georgia, 39-year-old Shawn Sutton tried to rob a gas station, nothing that hadn’t been tried before. In the old days, it was a sure $300 or $400, and your chances of getting caught were slim.  Things just ain’t the way they used to be.  It turns out that there was not one, not two, but three concealed carry licensees there.  Drat the luck anyway.  It sounds like Mr. Sutton can sit in a cell and reminisce about the old days before concealed carry with the rest of the scum, who also probably had an encounter with other concealed carry holders. 

IGOLD: We will meet at the Bank of Springfield Center as usual.  The door will open at 10:30 am.  The concession stand will be open for those who would like something to eat or drink before we leave for the march to the Capitol.  Remember to leave your pocket knives in your vehicle.  There is extensive remodeling going on at the Capitol and at the Stratton Building.  The north entrance to the Capitol Building is closed.  The Capitol Police are adding staff to get us in and out as quickly as possible.  I know we are all frustrated with what is going on with the recent law that has been passed.  We will work that out in the courts, not at IGOLD. 

You will all receive cards with the bills we support and oppose in the House and the Senate. Deliver those to your State Representatives and Senators.  We will return to the Rotunda at 2:15 to 2:30 pm for closing thoughts, and from there, we will depart for home. 

I hope to see you there. There will be a bus going back and forth between the Bank of Springfield Center 

And the Capitol for those who have difficulty walking 

Tidbits:

March 23, 1775 - Patrick Henry, speaking before the second Virginia Convention, declares, “I know not what course ours may take, but as for me, give me Liberty or give me death!” This came as a response to the Stamp Act, the Coercive Acts, sometimes known as the Intolerable Acts, the forced quartering of British Troops and making British Officials immune from prosecution.

March 23, 1806 - Lewis and Clark leave Fort Clatsop on the Columbia River.  Leading the Corps of Discovery, Lewis and Clark had spent a rainy and nasty winter.  Their supplies were badly depleted they gave the furniture to Chief Coboway of the Clatsop tribe.  Before they left, they made a list of all the men.  They were afraid they would not make it back.  The Chief agreed to give the list to the next trading vessel so the world would know they had made it to the Pacific.

When the Corps of Discovery left, they only had a few cans of gunpowder, their rifles, a few tools, some dried fish, and roots.  They hoped to encounter the Nez Perce, who had helped them get through the Mountains before.  The expedition nearly came to an end when they had a violent encounter with the Blackfeet in Montana.  Seven months later, they would arrive in St. Louis.  The expedition took two and a half years from beginning to end.  Lewis and Clark were looking for the fabled “Northwest Passage,” which did not exist.  Because they didn’t find it, the expedition did not get the notoriety it should have.

Whatever the case, the brave souls in the Corps of Discovery opened the west and were the first to see what would become the western United States.

March 24, 1958 - Elvis Presley is inducted into the United States Army.  Elvis did not whimper; he simply went in and did his duty.  His mother was very sick.  Elvis was Gladys Presley’s only child.  Shortly after his induction, Gladys Presley was diagnosed with hepatitis.  Elvis’s first-weekend pass was spent seeing his dying mother.  He would never see her alive again.  While in the Army, Elvis made Sergeant.  He was a good soldier.

March 26, 1945 - The United States Marines secure Iwo Jima.   

March 27, 1836 - The Texans fighting against Santa Anna surrender to Mexican forces at Goliad, Texas.

They were expecting to be treated as prisoners of war, but that didn’t happen.  Instead, all 417 were executed.  While it devastated the Texans, it also brought them together.  The Battle Cry became “Remember Goliad” along with “Remember the Alamo.” 

March 28, 1915 - The first American is killed in WWI.  Leon Thrasher, a mining engineer aboard the ship Falaba, was killed when the German submarine U-28 torpedoes the ship. 

March 29, 1911 - John Browning’s 45 caliber pistol became the United States Army sidearm.  It is still a favorite.

If you are not an ISRA member, please join today!

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

Visit www.isra.org

Upcoming Events: https://isra.org/events-calendar/

Thursday, March 23 & 30, 2023

Women’s Pistol Team Practice

Saturday, March 25, 2023

Armed Women of America

ISRA Hard Dogs Meeting

Sunday, March 26, 2023

ISRA Academy NRA Refuse To Be A Victim

761^st Gun Club

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Air Gun Practice

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

IGOLD

Pellet Rifle League

Saturday, April 1, 2023

Range Work Day

Chief Range Safety Officer Course

Sunday, April 2, 2023

Bonfield Muzzle Loaders

Gun & Trade Shows

Sauk Trail Gun Show – Princeton, IL

Bureau County Fairgrounds

Dates: March 25 & 26, 2023

Hours: Saturday: 8:30-4:00

            Sunday: 8:30-3:00

Admission: $5.00

Springfield Gun Show – Springfield, IL

Illinois State Fairgrounds

Dates: March 25 & 26, 2023

Hours: Saturday: 9:00-4:00

            Sunday: 9:00-3:00

Admission: $7.00 (weekend pass $10.00)

Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show – Chillicothe, IL

Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club House

Dates: April 1 & 2, 2023

Hours: Saturday: 8:30-4:00

            Sunday: 8:30-3:00

Admission: $3.00