Thursday Bulletin – May 30, 2024
Executive Director's Message Richard Pearson Decoration Day, which eventually evolved into Memorial Day, was originally on the 30
of May. Memorial Day is to honor those who served their country – many of whom gave their last full measure of devotion. It irks me to think Memorial Day is about a mattress sale or some other inconsequential event that doesn’t matter. Many people have met World War II veterans. I’m proud to say I’ve met many of them, but I’m even prouder to say that I knew many of them,
personally. While I was growing up, veterans were everywhere. I even knew some World War I vets. I like to think back about all the army, navy, air force, marine, and coast guard people that I have personally known. I recall what the world was like when they were running things. It was much more peaceful, orderly, and free. I am sorry the last few generations were not privileged to know such people. Their attitudes and actions would be far different than they are now, I
believe. Litigation Updates There are three court cases that may be decided in the Supreme Court of the United States by the end of June, or the first week in July. These are impacting the Second Amendment rights of every
American in various ways. The first of these cases is Rahimi v United States. Zachary Rahimi was up for a domestic violence restraining order. Rahimi pleaded guilty but continued this case on a constitutional challenge. The question is that while the US code prohibits the possession of firearms by persons subject to domestic violence restraining orders,
have their Second Amendment rights have been denied? In these cases, they cannot possess firearms even though they haven’t been convicted of anything. The second case is Garland v Cargill. This is the bump stock ban case. The United States Fifth Circuit struck down the ATF on bump stocks, saying it was an improper expansion of executive branch
power. The third case is NRA v Vullo. The question in this case is can the New York State regulators pressuring companies who do business with the NRA, constitute coercion which violates first amendment rights? The decisions in all three of these cases
will be important in what happens to our battle for Second Amendment rights throughout the United States; in Congress; state legislatures; and firearm regulatory bodies. The Supreme Court of the United States Session Begins the First Monday of October. The U.S.
Supreme Court has granted certiorari (higher court reviews decision of a lower court) in the case of Garland v. VanDerStok. This case challenges the Biden administration’s “Final Rule” on frames and receivers. A ploy to re-define what constitutes functional firearms, and by doing so undermine our constitutional rights. The Second Amendment Foundation intervened in this ongoing case in 2022. The legal issues are quite clear: Authority to regulate firearms is solely
Congress’s responsibility – NOT the executive branch. Hopefully, they will grant certiorari to our cases which include our ISRA “assault weapon” ban case, Harrel, et al v. Raoul, et al, and the National Shooting Sports Foundation case, Barnett, et al v Raoul, et al. We are hoping they will be heard, but we won’t know
until we have been granted a writ of certiorari. SAF Files Amicus Brief in S&W Legal Fight The Second Amendment Foundation has brought an amicus brief (friend of the court) to the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of Smith & Wesson’s legal
fight against the government of Mexico. The Mexican government is attempting to hold the American gun manufacturers liable for criminal acts by third parties in their country. If this case was to be won by Mexico, it would set a precedent for parallel lawsuits. Potentially it would have an immense impact on the firearm industry both here and abroad, driving many manufacturers out of business, and imposing requirements of firearm designs that have been rejected by Americans. In the end, American
citizens would suffer the most because their choices for arms would be that much more limited. Illinois Legislative News
The session has ended. There will be a legislative update next week.
Ruger Produces the
Most Firearms
The firearm manufacturing totals for 2022 are in, and it shows Ruger has moved into the number one position as far as firearm manufacturing goes. Ruger has proved to be very sensitive to the needs and desires of American gun owners. Also, the acquisition of Marlon Firearms certainly helped. Sig Sauer is in second place and Smith & Wesson has fallen from first place to third place. Much of Smith & Wesson’s smaller production
can be attributed to their move to Tennessee. Smith & Wesson’s new Tennessee plant is up and running, so I look for them to move back into first place at some point. Savage Arms has moved into fourth place and Springfield Armory has moved into fifth place.
|
Tidbits May 30, 1868 – Union Civil War Soldiers Honored General John A. Logan, of the Grand Army of the Republic declared May 30 to be Decoration Day with the issued General Order number 11. It later became known as Memorial Day, which was celebrated in several different states around the country in the years following the Civil War. General Logan was commander of the Grand Army of
the Republic, which was the Union equivalent of the American Legion or VFW today. The Grand Army of the Republic was so powerful, particularly in the northern states, that its members insisted that May 30 be set aside to honor those who had lost their lives during the Civil War. It wasn’t until 1971 that the date this holiday is to be officially celebrated was changed to be the last Monday in May. May 31, 1930 – Actor and Director Clint Eastwood is Born in San Francisco After growing up during the Great Depression, Eastwood served four years in the Army Special Services and then went to Hollywood where he starred in a series of Spaghetti Westerns and eventually, the TV program “Rawhide”. His big break came in the film, “Dirty Harry”. “And the rest is history”, as they
say. June 1, 1938 – Superman Makes Debut in Action Comics. Most people around Metropolis, Illinois knew Superman’s alias, Clark Kent. Clark Kent grew up in rural Metropolis and graduated from Metropolis High School, in 1934. After graduation, he went to work for Perry White, editor of the “Daily Planet” in Metropolis. June 3, 1916 – President Woodrow Wilson Signs the National Defense Act into Law The National Defense Act changed the size and scope of the National Guard, converting it from state militias into an organized military force. It also established the Reserve Officers Training Program (ROTC) in high
schools and colleges. In 1916, Wilson was reelected President of the United States using the slogan, “He kept us out of war.” While that may have been a nice-sounding slogan, Wilson was preparing the United States to enter World War I. June 4, 1942 – The Battle of Midway Begins The Japanese
had decided to take control of Midway Island so they could control the shipping lanes and make it forever part of the Japanese empire. The Japs did not know that the United States had cracked their naval code. Eventually, the Japanese fleet would lose four major aircraft carriers, one heavy cruiser, 2500 personnel and 292 aircraft. Americans lost the aircraft carrier Yorktown, one destroyer, 145 aircraft, and had 306 casualties. This is the first time the United States had achieved
a major victory over the Japanese. The result was the Japanese military became demoralized enough to abandon its plans to expanded deeper into the Pacific, toward the United States. June 4, 1896 – The Very First Ford Automobile Henry Ford drives his Quadricycle and attains a top
speed of 25 miles an hour. The Quadricycle ran on four bicycle tires and a two-stroke, four-horsepower gasoline engine. June 5, 1944 – The Allied Invasion - D-Day The day of the invasion is postponed one more day because of weather. Hunting Permit Application Dates for Illinois Residents The Illinois State Rifle Association is the home of marksmanship in Illinois At the Range
All classes and events are open to the public & all range members, unless otherwise noted. Limited Time Special $50 OFF
for ISRA Range Memberships! Through June 30, 2024, we are offering $50 off
the range membership fee. Just mention code 50OFF, when you are signing up. Range membership application may be downloaded here . Empowering First Shots
FREE WOMEN'S
SHOOTING EVENT
on Saturday June 15th!
This event is designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for women to learn about shooting and self-defense and welcomes women of all skill levels. For more information and to register for this event, <click here>, or go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/empowering-first-shots-free-womens-shooting-event-registration-698794963547?aff=oddtdtcreator. ISRA Youth Shooting Sports Camp Saturday, June 22, 2024 8:00am to 5:00pm at the ISRA Range For girls & boys ages 10 -16. Activities: .22 Pistol and Rifle, Shotgun and Black Powder. The camp is limited to 40 participants. Please go to our
website and download all appropriate forms and return to the office with payment. $50 per child: Includes lunch, use of firearms, ammunition, and targets. Sign up Before the Camp is full! Camp Directors: Tony Clark – Chief
Range Safety Officer Mel Hitchens – Chatsworth Office. Contact Mel by email: mel.hitchens@isra.org, or by phone at: 815-635-3198 Click here to view the entire calendar. THURS May 30 – ISRA Smallbore Rifle League - Range 5 - 2:00-Dusk FRI May 31 – F-Class Benchrest League - Range 3 - 8:00-1:00 FRI May 31 – Paper Steel League - Range 11 - 4:00-Dusk SAT June 1 – Range Workday - 8:00-4:00 SAT June 1 – Armed Women of America State Shoot - Range 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, Pavilion,
Clubhouse - 8:00-5:00 SUN June 2 – Bonfield Muzzle Loaders - Range 2 & Clubhouse - 7:00-2:00 SUN June 2 – ISRA 3 Gun - Range 8, 9, 10, 11 - 7:00-2:00 TUE June 4 – Tuesday Night Irregular Rifles - Range 3 & Pavilion - 11:00-Dusk WED June 5 – F-Class Rifle League – Range 3 – 8:00 – 5:00 WED June 5 – Benchrest League – Range 4 – 8:00 - Dusk WED June 5 – Private Event - Range 11 - 8:00-4:00 The ISRA Range is located at 1589 N 7000w Rd, Bonfield, IL 60913. The ISRA Range offers great classes and leagues for shooting enthusiasts! Interested in joining a league? Just show up 15 - 30 minutes early. Range memberships are available. A day at the ISRA Range is
always a great day! Thank you
for being a member! Upcoming Gun Shows & Events 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 Thursday Bulletin. Interested in attending other shooting clinics & events? Some can be found across the state on the INDR website. June 1 – Youth Wingshooting Clinic, Gardner Camp, Hull June 1– 2 Hunter Clinic, Des Plaines State Fish & Wildlife Area, Wilmington June 7 – Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) Workshop, Northern Illinois University/Lorado Taft Field Campus, Oregon June 8 – 9 Introductory Wingshooting Clinic, Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area,
Chandlerville June 15 – 16 Hunter Clinic, Briar Knoll Hunting and Fishing Club, Amboy June 22 – 23 Introductory Wingshooting Clinic, Middle Fork State Fish & Wildlife Area, Oakwood |
|
|
