Thursday Bulletin – June 19, 2025
Executive Director's Message Richard Pearson |
Litigation Update Late Friday night, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an amicus brief (friend of the court) supporting Harrel et al v Raoul et al which is our lawsuit against the
so-called assault weapons ban known as the PICA. This amicus brief supports all the consolidated lawsuits against the PICA. The lead case is Barnett et al v Raoul et al. The ISRA has been in contact with the DOJ for several months pointing out Illinois unconstitutional guns laws like PICA, among others. It is refreshing to have the DOJ supporting the
constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans. President Donald Trump said he would support the Second Amendment and he is delivering on his promise. The amicus brief is 28 pages plus the index. The entire brief can be read on the ISRA website. Included below is an excerpt from the brief. . . . . . “The same principle holds true in the Second Amendment context. As this Court has recognized in the past, Second Amendment protections extend to certain “important corollar[ies]” of the core right to possess arms for self-defense and other lawful reasons. Ezell, 651 F.3d at 708. Several such corollaries receive Second Amendment protections. “The right to keep arms[] necessarily involves the right to purchase them, to keep them in a state of efficiency for use, and to purchase and provide ammunition suitable for such arms, and to keep them in repair.” Andrews, 50 Tenn. at 178. The right to keep and bear arms also involves the “right to maintain proficiency in firearm
use.” Ezell, 651 F.3d at 708. And it involves the right to possess ammunition. See Miller, 307 U.S. at 180; see also Jackson v. City and County of San Francisco, 746 F.3d 953, 967 (9th Cir. 2014) (“without bullets, the right to bear arms would be meaningless”). Although these activities may not literally involve the keep[ing]” of “Arms,” each is a fundamental component of the right protected by the Second Amendment. Applying that principle to the Act, the Second Amendment protects firearm attachments that are useful to the exercise of the right, including magazines, suppressors,9 and other firearm attachments that are in common use by law-abiding citizens for lawful reasons. As the D.C. Circuit has held, “[a] magazine is necessary to make meaningful an individual’s right to . . . self-defense.” Hanson, 120 F.4th at 232; see Bevis, 85
F.4th at 1209 (Brennan, J., dissenting); Duncan, 19 F.4th at 1151 (Bumatay, J., dissenting) (“magazines are integral to the operation of firearms,” and “many popular firearms would be practically inoperable without magazines”). So-called “large-capacity magazines” are extremely common in the United States. “Americans have in their hands and homes an estimated 100 million . . .
magazines” that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition. Hanson, 120 F.4th at 269 (Walker, J., dissenting); Duncan, 19 F.4th at 1155 (Bumatay, J., dissenting); Bevis, 85 F.4th at 1214 (Brennan, J., dissenting). They are “a standard component on many of the nation’s most popular firearms,” and “are lawful in [most] states and under Federal law.” Duncan, 19 F.4th at 1155 (Bumatay, J., dissenting); Hanson, 120 F.4th at 270 (Walker, J., dissenting). So-called “large-capacity
magazines” are therefore in common use. Heller II, 670 F.3d at 1261. And they are frequently “used for lawful purposes, like home defense.” Duncan, 19 F.4th at 1155 (Bumatay, J., dissenting); Hanson, 120 F.4th at 270 (Walker, J., dissenting).” . . . . . While
this is no guarantee that the Seventh Circuit will find in our favor, this certainly helps. The ISRA and its partners have provided thousands of pages of documents supporting our position. Remember, this case is, and always has been, designed to be heard by the Supreme Court of the United States. Thanks to all the ISRA members who have supported these and many other court cases the ISRA has brought forth. This battle is far from over. Not an ISRA member? Join the ISRA and support 2A rights in Illinois HERE Click here to read this statement on our website, where you'll find the full amicus brief filed by the US DOJ. Donate to Legal Assistance HERE! Legislative Update The Illinois Legislature is not in session. You can follow along by
clicking the ISRA Legislation Page. Nationwide Gun Sales Down Slightly Nationwide, firearms sales from May of 2024 to May of 2025 has been calculated to show adjusted numbers with very little change, being slightly lower by only
1.6%. Dean Weingarten, author of the article on ammoland.com, has been calculating and estimating firearm sales numbers for several years, tracking the rates of purchases year-to-year. He writes: “There are about 250 million adults in the USA as of 2025. About 20 million have felony convictions. Therefore, roughly 230 million are eligible to purchase firearms from a federal dealer. If 1.66 million of those no longer need to go through a NICS check to satisfy the Brady Law, we should expect the number of firearms sales checks to decrease by about .72 percent. It is a small number,
but nearly half of the small sales drop is estimated in May of 2025. - Politically motivated riots in California may spur some people on the edge to purchase firearms in June. If the riots grow, expect firearms sales to rise. If the riots fizzle out, this correspondent expects firearm sales to remain about the same as last year.
- Although there is a slight decline in overall purchases, the estimated total of modern firearms in private hands in the United States is 533 million as of the end of May 2025.”
To view Dean Weingarten's full article on ammoland.com, go HERE. Better To Be Safe Than Sorry – Ammunition Shortages I keep seeing articles about the coming ammunition shortages looming on the horizon. I know I have written about this before, but adding tariffs and the uncertainty of
rare earth minerals needed to make powder and primers into the equation makes the situation worse. American ammunition manufacturers are running at full speed. One has to remember that powder and primers have to be imported to keep the production levels we have now. Any interruption in that supply chain would be devastating. I advise everyone to buy ammunition, powders and primers now. If a shortage comes, it will be quick, and then it will be too
late. Schiff and Durbin Introduce A Federal Assault Weapons Ban Bill The anti-gun crowd has introduced S 1531, a federal (so-called) assault weapons ban. Adam “Shifty” Schiff (D-CA) is the originator of the bill and,
of course, our very “Tricky” Dick Durbin is an original Co-sponsor. The bill has 41 co-sponsors. Dandy, just dandy.. Pave Paradise And Put Up A Parking Lot? The Big Beautiful Bill Act - H.R.1 Hidden in the Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) is something not so
beautiful. Tucked away in the bill is the sale of up to 120 million acres of public lands that developers would love to get their greedy paws on. The purpose would be to develop so called isolated parcels of land to be used for affordable housing and associated community needs. Sounds like bologna to me. That would be a tremendous loss to hunters, fishermen and others who love the wild outdoors. I hate it when I see streets, shopping centers, gated communities and office
complexes named after the plants and animals that real estate moguls and their bulldozers, earthmovers and other heavy machinery decimated. Cutesy names like Quail Boulevard, Deer Path Road, Big Bear Shopping Center, and other such names give you an idea what I’m talking about. I am going to call my Congressman and senators and oppose this section of the bill. “I am frequently asked if the ISRA sells our membership list. The answer is absolutely not.” ~ Richard Pearson Free Digital Addition of “Midwest Outdoors Magazine” for ISRA Members Beginning in May, for all current members who receive our email, a
digital copy of “Midwest Outdoors Magazine” will be available to you for FREE! You will receive an email from them at the beginning of each month with a link to the online magazine. If you were to purchase this, it would be $9.95 per year, but this is just another of the benefits of being an ISRA member. You can always opt out if you care to do so. Empowering First Shots – June 21 & 22 Ladies, it’s time to take aim and boost your confidence! Join us for a FREE, women’s-only shooting event led by female instructors
who are passionate about empowering women in the world of shooting sports. No experience needed! A safety briefing will be conducted at the beginning of your time slot, followed by one-on-one instruction on the range. Expect to be at the range 2-3 hours. What to Expect: - Hands-on Training with expert female instructors
- A safe, supportive environment to learn or improve your shooting skills with all equipment provided
- One-on-one guidance tailored to your level
ISRA Academy Youth Shooting Sports Camp – June 29 This youth camp is for girls and boys ages 10-16, on June 29, 11am to 5pm. Youth camp provides everything
needed to give safety instruction, basics of pistol, rifle, shotgun, and black powder, all under the guidance of NRA instructors and range safety officers. Snacks, drinks and lunch, firearms, ammunition, and targets are provided. Class is limited to 40 students. Cost: $50. You must pre-register by June 20, 2025. Register NOW for ISRA Academy CCL Renewals Do not miss out on the ISRA Academy featuring CCL renewals each month. Be sure
to pre-register by checking the ISRA Range Calendar for times/dates and clicking on the event of your choice for more info. Click here for ISRA Range or call the ISRA Offices for more info
at 815-635-3198. Education & Training @ ISRA Range, Bonfield, IL. June 21- 22 (Saturday & Sunday) Empowering First Shots – Range 1, 2, Pavilion, Clubhouse 9am -
6pm June 28 (Saturday) CCL Renewal & Qualification – Range 11, Clubhouse 1pm-4pm June 29 (Sunday) Youth Shooting Sports Camp – Range 1,2,6, Pavilion, Clubhouse 11am - 5pm July 13 (Sunday) CCL Renewal & Qualification – Range 11, Clubhouse 1pm-4pm July 18 (Friday) NRA Basic Pistol – Range 1 &
Clubhouse 8:30am-5pm July 19 (Saturday) NRA Basic Instructor Training (BIT) – Clubhouse 8:30am-2:30pm July 20 (Sunday) NRA Basic Pistol Instructor – Range 1 & Clubhouse 8am-6pm July 26 (Saturday) CCL Renewal & Qualification – Clubhouse 8:30am-6pm July 27 (Sunday) NRA Certified Range Safety Officer Class – Clubhouse
8:30am-2:30pm August 10 (Sunday) CCL Renewal & Qualification – Range 11, Clubhouse 1pm-4pm August 14 (Thursday) IDNR Hunter Safety Course – Clubhouse 5pm-8pm August 16 (Saturday) IDNR Hunter Safety Course – Clubhouse & Range 1 8am-4:30pm August 22 (Friday) NRA Basic Rifle Shooting Course – Range 11 &
Clubhouse 8:30am-5pm August 23 (Saturday) NRA Basic Rifle Instructor – Range 11 & Clubhouse 8:30am-6pm August 23 (Saturday) ISRA Pistol Training 201 Course – Range 8 8am-5pm August 27 (Wednesday) CCL Renewal & Qualification – Range 11, Clubhouse 9am-12pm August 29-31 (Friday-Sunday) Rangemaster 3-Day Firearms
Instructor Development & Certification Course October 2-5 (Thursday-Sunday) Massad Ayoob’s MAG-40 Course *** Please contact academy@isra.org for any training or class questions
and check the ISRA Range Calendar HERE for links to dates, times, descriptions of ISRA activities and events. GLOCK League Starting The Glock Summer League will have it’s first shoot on Sunday June 29, 2025. Registration will be at 9:00am. We have divisions for Stock, Unlimited, Pocket and Rimfire Glocks.
Please come join us. For more info, Click HERE World Shooting and Recreational Complex (WSRC) Events Located at: 1 Main Event Lane, Unit 502-503,
Sparta, IL 62286 SPARTA Events - WSRC August 3 (Sunday) NRA Certified Range Safety Officer Class – 8am – 6pm Women Only Classes at WSRC October 10 (Friday) “Refuse To Be A Victim” – 5pm - 9pm October 11 (Saturday) NRA Basic Pistol – 8:30am - 5pm October 12 (Sunday) NRA Basic Rifle – 8:30am – 5pm ISRA Members: View the Spring 2025 Shooter HERE The Illinois State Rifle Association is the home of marksmanship in Illinois Tidbits June 19, 2025 marks 160 years since enforcement of President Lincoln's emancipation proclamation reached the last African-American people held in slavery in Texas in Galveston. Every year since then, June 19 has been celebrated as a day to rejoice and cherish freedom. Like Memorial Day, Juneteenth has been known by other names: Jubilee
Day and Emancipation Day. Galveston, Texas became a pilgrimage destination. In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday. The United States is certainly a melting pot of cultures, races, and traditions, and we didn't just arrive at that point, we had to fight for our freedom, and along the way we welcomed new arrivals and had internal conflicts. A celebration of
freedom is certainly one that all Americans can appreciate. Many Americans bring their own histories of struggles for freedom, indeed, of freedom from bondage. This story of freedom can be, should be, everyone's story. The ISRA, with its long tradition of training in the use of the tools of freedom, honors our members and others who celebrate freedom and celebrate
Juneteenth today. Long live freedom, long live the ISRA, long live the United States of America and Happy Juneteenth! June 19, 1944 – The Battle of the Philippines Sea begins. It was nicknamed the Marianna's Turkey Shoot because of the tremendous losses to the Japanese aircraft carriers and minimum losses to the Americans. The
Japanese lost two aircraft carriers and 300 aircraft while the Americans lost only 29 airplanes. The Japanese admiral thought that their missing aircraft had landed on their airbase on Guam. The next day, he ordered another attack, which was equally bad. By the end of the second day, the Japanese had lost a total of 600 aircraft. It was one of the largest one-sided losses
in history. June 20, 1782 – Congress adopted the “Great Seal of the United States”. The Great Seal centers around the bald eagle which is clutching an olive branch in its right talons and arrows in its left talons. On the eagle's breast is a shield marked with 13
vertical red and white stripes topped by a field of blue containing 13 white stars. In the eagle's beak is a banner inscribed the “E Pluribus Unum”, a Latin phrase meaning “Out of many, One.” The back side of the Great Seal is often overlooked. The backside features a thirteen step pyramid with 1776 in Roman numerals at the base. On top of the pyramid is an “Eye of
Providence” with the inscription
“Annuit Coeptis” meaning “He favors our undertakings.” At the bottom of the pyramid there is a scroll which reads “Novus Ordo Seclorum” which is Latin for “New Order for the Ages.” Now you know more about the Great Seal of the United States than 99.9% of the people. June 21, 1788 – New Hampshire ratifies the newly created Constitution of the United States. The rules required nine of the thirteen states ratify the newly constructed Constitution. The agreement was the the Bill of Rights would be added later, which occurred on December 15,
1791. New Hampshire was the ninth vote. June 21, 1916 – The U.S. military expedition into Mexico, commanded by General John J. Pershing, is attacked. The Pancho Villa Expedition - now known officially in the United States as the Mexican Expedition, was originally
referred to as the "Punitive Expedition, US Army" and was embarked upon to kill or capture Poncho Villa In January, 1916, Villa executed 16 U.S. citizens in Santa Isabel, Northern Mexico. On March 9, 1916, Villa raided the border town of Columbus, New Mexico, killing 17 U.S. citizens. The town was burned to the ground. Had it not been for the war in Europe, the United
States would have probably declared war on Mexico. If you recall, in January, 1917, German Foreign Minister, Arthur Zimmermann, was trying to make a deal with Mexico to attack the United States. Fortunately, the British intercepted the telegram an it was revealed to the American public. During World War I and World War II, German spies and saboteurs made their way into the United States through Mexico. I don't believe any of this could have been done without the blessings of the Mexico government in some form. Don't forget your history. June 22,
1775 – Congress authorizes the issue of paper currency, known as “Continental Currency”. It didn't work out very well. It was said a wagon load of currency would not buy a wagon load of provisions. One of the phrases that was popular was “not worth a Continental”, which became a moniker for anything worthless. June 22, 1941 – Adolf Hitler double crosses Joseph Stalin and invades the Soviet Union. German intelligence had underestimated the Soviet Army. The German Army was better trained, better equipped, and could have handled one, two or possibly even three German armies. What German intelligence didn't understand was that the Soviet Union had enough able-bodied men to field 12 or 13
armies. This wasn't a good idea, Adolf. June 22, 1953 – A news boy drops a nickel on the ground and finds more than he bargains for. The nickel broke open and, inside, was a piece of micro film. The news boy turned it into the FBI and it eventually led to
the arrest of the Soviet spy, Rudolph I. Abel. June 25, 1876 – The Battle of Little Bighorn takes place. Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer, commander of the Seventh Calvary, attacks more than 10,000 Native American warriors at the Battle of Little
Bighorn. The only survivor of the Seventh Calvary was an Army horse named Comanche. June 25, 1942 – Major General Dwight D. Eisenhower takes command of U.S. forces in Europe. Although Eisenhower had never seen combat, Army Chief or Staff, General George C. Marshall
chose him over nearly 400 other officers. He was chosen because of his ability to organize and his knowledge of military strategy. He also had a knack for diplomacy, which would come in very handy in dealing with Winston Churchill, French General Charles DeGaulle and British General Bernard Montgomery. 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. Sept 20, 2025 National Civil War, Military, and Collector Arms Show, DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton, IL. Sept 27 – Sept 28, 2025 Chillicothe Sportsmen's Club Gun & Knife Show,
Chillicothe Sprotsmen's Club House, Chillicothe, IL. Sept 27 – Sept 28, 2025 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman's Show, Kankakee County Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL. Oct 4 - 5, 2025 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association – New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL. Oct 12, 2025 Kane County Sportsman's Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL. Oct 25 – Oct 26, 2025 Belleville Gun & Knife Show, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville, IL. Oct 25 – Oct 26, 2025 Sauk Trail Gun Show,
Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL. Nov 1 – Nov 2, 2025 Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL. Nov 9, 2025 Kane County Sportsman's Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL. Nov 22 – Nov 23,
2025 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman's Show, Kankakee County Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL. Nov 29 – Nov 30, 2025 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association – New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL. Nov 29 – Nov 30, 2025 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County
Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL. Dec 6 – Dec 7, 2025 Chillicothe Sportsmen's Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sprotsmen's Club House, Chillicothe, IL. Sept 13 – Sept 14, 2025 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman's Show, Kankakee County Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL. Dec 14, 2025 Kane County Sportsman's Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL. Feb 14 – Feb 15, 2026 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association – New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL. ISRA
Grassroots Monthly Meetings
Come and meet fellow activists and learn the latest on protecting our Second Amendment Rights! Northwest Suburban - 3rd Tues – Golden Corral 601 S Randall Rd, Elgin, IL 60123 ; Doors open 6pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm South Suburban/Cook County
- 2nd Thurs – Kenootz Pizza, 4659 147th St., Midlothian, IL; Doors open 6:30pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm Will County - 3rd Wed – Silver Dollar Restaurant, 422 E. Mississippi Ave., Elwood, IL; Doors open 6pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm
Livingston County – 4th Saturday of the month – South Post Guns, 104 Livingston Rd., Streator, IL; Social Hour 4:30pm – 5:30pm; Meeting 5:30pm – 6:30pm Stand
Strong &
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