Thursday Bulletin – April 4, 2024 
 

Gun Violence Continues in the Year Since Banning Common Firearms

ISRA President Doug Mayhall highlights the facts about Chicago's gun violence and how Governor Pritzker's gun control schemes have not helped at all. 

Appeals Court Upholds 2^nd Amendment Rights of 18- to 20-year-olds. 

The decision finding the Pennsylvania law infringed on the ability of 18-20-year-olds to exercise their Second Amendment rights, was upheld in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the United States Virgin Islands. There is no further appeal except to the Supreme Court. In this case, the three-judge panel closely adhered to the guidance put forward in the Bruen decision. It would be a favorable case for the Supreme Court to hear in order to reinforce the doctrines put forward in Bruen.

JUST 4 DAYS until the Great American Solar Eclipse!

The 2024 solar eclipse will be visible over approximately 128 miles wide on April 8, as it passes over Illinois, lasting for 4 minutes and 9 seconds. The partial phases of the eclipse will last longer. Wear protective eyewear that is rated for viewing the eclipse, ordinary sunglasses won’t work. D­on't miss one of nature’s most spectacular events. The next total solar eclipse isn't until August 12, 2045! 

Spring Turkey Hunting Season Opens

April 8th is also the first day of the Spring Shotgun Turkey season. The 3 Lottery Application Periods are closed. Any county-specific Spring Turkey permits still available are sold over the counter from licensed vendors. 

For more information on the Spring Turkey Hunting Seasons, go to https://dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/spring-turkey-program.html.

2024 South Zone Hunting dates

1st Season: April 8 - April 12

2nd Season: April 13 - April 18

3rd Season: April 19 - April 24

4th Season: April 25 - May 1

5th Season: May 2 - May 9

2024 North Zone Hunting dates

1st Season: April 15 - April 19

2nd Season: April 20 - April 25

3rd Season: April 26 - May 1

4th Season: May 2 - May 8

5th Season : May 9 - May 16 

Youth Shotgun Hunting Season: March 30 & 31 and April 6 & 7, 2024. The application period for Spring permits is closed. 

Many stores have turkey hunting supplies, decoys and shells on sale. Now is the time to act before they are all sold out.  Good luck to all you turkey hunters out there!

What’s Your Preference: Semi-Auto or Single-Shot Shotguns?

The Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA) is really a semi-auto ban on rifles and shotguns. The shotgun market has been dominated by semi-auto shotguns for several years. This has been true for both the hunting market and for tactical home defense. Most people like semi-auto shotguns because the recoil is less with other types of shotguns. 

When it comes to tactical shotguns, there is one other advantage for people in self-defense situations: Namely, a semi-auto shotgun can be operated with just one hand. This can be a real concern for people with some type of disability in their arms and hands. Typically, semi-auto self-defense shotguns make up approximately 55% of the self-defense shotgun market. Cleary, semi-auto shotguns are the choice of the majority of people. Hopefully, the ISRA lawsuit will be able to bring back shotguns with a magazine capacity, for self-defense firearm use. 

Public Disapproval of Biden on Guns

In a new survey by The Economist and YouGov, just 29 percent of Americans approve of Joe Biden’s action on guns, and detailed examination of polling data shows that the president is in big trouble on the issue. 81 percent of survey respondents say guns are an important issue. In contrast, a whopping 90 percent of people who plan to vote for Donald Trump disapprove of Biden’s gun policies, the survey revealed. 

Biden also got lower numbers on only one other subject, immigration. It seems obvious that the president is horribly out of touch with the public on these two critical issues. The survey underscores Joe Biden’s total disregard for constitutional rights and border security.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin Kills Gun Control Bills

Earlier this year, Democrats in the Virginia legislature passed thirty-six gun control bills, including an “assault firearms” bill that would see most semi-automatic rifles banned, magazine limitations, and a bill prohibiting homemade firearms. Sounds awfully familiar, doesn’t it?

Virginia’s Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin dealt a killing blow to Democrats hope of passing additional gun control bills last Tuesday, vetoing more than two dozen bills that had sailed through the state's Democratic-controlled General Assembly before landing on his desk. 

Range Shooting Season is in Full Swing

April is the beginning of the outdoor shooting season. It is one of the most exciting times of the year. The ISRA range, and other ranges across the state, begin their outdoor shooting activities this month. A variety of competitions and classes are offered everywhere. Be sure to take advantage of them. 

The ISRA Range offers no less than 38 shooting events, competitions and classes in April.  May offers even more, with 49 classes, shooting events and competitions currently scheduled, and more yet to come.  As a reminder, the ISRA Range is offering $50 off your initiation fee, when you join before June 30, 2024. If you live within driving distance of The Range, you should take advantage of all these opportunities. 

If you’d like a tour to find out all the things The Range has to offer, you’re welcome to do that. There are two days of Range tours already scheduled. The first day of tours is on April 20 with a morning session at 10:00 am until 11:30 am, and an afternoon session at 1:00 pm until 2:30 pm. The second day of tours will be on May 18 with a morning session at 10:00 am until 11:30 am, and an afternoon session at 1:00 pm until 2:30 pm. You do not have to call ahead for either of these days. Please call The Range and schedule a tour if you cannot make either of the tour dates. We hope to see you at the ISRA Range! 

More buses have been added incl:  Alton, Decatur, East Peoria - Visit the IGOLD Page for more information.

Vendor Booth Space at IGOLD

ONLY A FEW SPACES LEFT – Reserve by April 12th. First come, first served. Tables & chairs will be ­provided (8-foot tables). The Illinois State Rifle Association reserves the right to approve all vendors. Call 815-635-3198 or email Mel or Shirley. Cost: $100. 

LET US KNOW YOUR GUN CLUB MEMBERS ARE AT IGOLD! 

If you and at least 2 other members of your gun club come to IGOLD, we’d like you to please stand when we announce it, so we can recognize your club. 

Tidbits

April 4, 1841 – An American President Dies During Term 

President William Henry Harrison becomes the first president of the United States to die in office (of natural causes). He was in office only 32 days. He died of pneumonia after making a two-hour inaugural address – the longest in American history. President Harrison was the last president to be born before the American Revolution. His campaign was based on the idea that he was born in a log cabin, and a frontiersman. The fact is he was a well-educated man, the only American president to ever study medicine. He also demonstrated exemplary service as a general during the Indian Wars and the War of 1812. 

April 4, 1968 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Assassinated 

While standing on a hotel balcony in the early evening hours in Memphis Tennessee, Dr. King was fatally shot. He was just 39 years old. James Earl Ray was convicted of assassinating Martin Luther King, Jr., and was sentenced to 99 years in prison.

April 5, 1614 – Peace Between Jamestown Settlers and the Powhatans 

Englishman John Rolfe and Pocahontas are married. Pocahontas was a daughter of the chief of the Powhatan Confederacy. The marriage brought an end to hostilities between the English settlers and the American Indian tribes in the area. 

Together, with their one-year-old son, Thomas, Pocahontas and John Rolfe sailed to England. There, Pocahontas became a favorite of the English aristocracy. In 1617 John and Pocahontas prepared to sail back to the New World. The day before they were to leave, Pocahontas died of smallpox. She is buried in the cemetery of the Church of St. George in Gravesend, England. John Rolfe returned to the New World and was killed in any attack in 1622. After an education in England, their son Thomas Rolfe, returned to the New World and became a prominent citizen.

April 5, 1933 – The CCC is Created

President Franklin Roosevelt establishes the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) commonly known as “Roosevelt’s Tree Army”. You had to enlist in the CCC for a minimum of 6 months. Enlistments were open to unemployed, unmarried U.S. male citizens, between the ages of 18 and 26. The pay was $30 a month but you also received a basic education and vocational education while you were in the Corps. The CCC did a lot of great conservation work in the United States. Before the program was discontinued. From 1933 to 1942, the CCC employed over 3 million men. 

April 6, 1832 – The Black Hawk War Begins 

The Sauk warrior, Black Hawk, was born in the village of Saukenuk, which would later be known as Rock Island, Illinois. Black Hawk was a fierce warrior. But in the end, the relentless militiamen and U.S. Army troops were too much for the courageous War Chief Black Hawk and his warriors.

April 8, 1974 – Hank Aaron Breaks Babe Ruth Home Run Record 

Hank Aaron hits his 715^th home run in the Fulton County Stadium, Atlanta Georgia, breaking the “Babe’s” legendary record of 714. He also held the Major League Baseball’s record for the most runs batted in, with 2,297. 

April 9, 1865 – The Civil War Comes to an End 

Robert E. Lee surrenders to general Ulysses S. Grant in Appomattox, Virginia, effectively ending the United States Civil War. General Grant and General Lee worked out the terms of surrender. Which included the pardoning of all confederate officers and men and letting them keep their horses for spring planning. Officers would also keep their side arms, and rations would be given to the starving confederate troops. The United States’ bloody Civil War had finally ended.

The Illinois State Rifle Association

is the home of marksmanship in Illinois

At the Range
Click here to view the entire calendar. All classes and events are open to the public & all range members, unless otherwise noted.

Bonfield Muzzle Loaders League
 Come and shoot your period firearms with others who share your passion! Next meet is April 7. Click here for more details.

Range Schedule This Week

4-05 – Paper Steel League – Range 11 – 4:00-Dusk

4-06 – USPSA SCSA Steel Challenge – Range 8, 9, 10, 11 – 7:00-5:00

4-06 – Range Work Day – 8:00-4:00

4-06 – Troop 318 – Range 1, 2, 6, 7, Pavilion – 8:00-8:00

4-07 – Bonfield Muzzle Loaders – Range 2 & Clubhouse – 7:00-2:00

4-07 – ISRA 3 Gun – Range 8, 9, 10, 11 – 7:00-2:00

4-09 – Air Gun Practice & League – Range 12 (Indoor Range) 5:00 – 8:00

4-10 – F-Class Indoor League – Clubhouse/Range 12 – 10:00-2:00

4-10 – Air Rifle Practice & League – Range 12; Clubhouse – 11:00-3:00

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!

If you are not an ISRA member,  join today!

Donate: https://isra.org/support-us/

Visit www.isra.org

Upcoming Meetings: https://isra.org/isra-activities-and-events/

Upcoming Range Events: https://isra.org/the-range/#range-calendar

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.

Looking for a Hunter Safety Class?  You can find them here throughout the state on the IDNR website, which lists classes by county and date:  https://dnr2.illinois.gov//SafetyEdClassByCounty 

Apr 3 – 6   NRA World Shooting Championship, Camp Atterbury, IN

Apr 13 – 14   Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club House, Chillicothe

Apr 14   Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles 

Apr 18   IGOLD, Bank of Springfield Center, Springfield

April 20    National Civil War & Collector Arms Show, DuPage Co. Fairgrounds, Wheaton

April 20   Wing Shooting Clinic, Moraine View State Park, Leroy, IL

April 20 – 21   Will County Gun Show, Will County Fairgrounds, Peotone

April 28   McHenry County Sportsman’s Show, Woodstock

May 3 – 5   Pecatonica Gun Show, Winnebago County Fairgrounds, Pecatonica

May 18 – 19   Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee Co. Fairgrounds, Kankakee

May 19   Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles