This is a self defense story that is upsetting, but there are lessons to be learned from even the worst
situations.
Just before midnight on August 3rd, an intruder broke in to the home of Michael and Molly Hatcher of Harrisonburg, Virginia. At the time, Michael was 65 and Molly was 62. The intruder started stabbing Molly. Michael, knowing he was not physically able to fight the much younger man, ran to his truck to get his self defense firearm. By the time he got back, the intruder had stabbed Molly several
times. Molly lay dying on the floor of their kitchen. The intruder turned on Michael, who was now finally armed, and attempted to stab him. Michael shot the intruder to death.
What can be learned from this horrific incident? First, you use have your self defense firearm loaded and immediately accessible. When an intruder bursts though the door of your home, or wherever your are attacked, you only have 3 to 5
seconds to react. You can’t be running to your truck or fumbling around trying to retrieve your firearm, it has to accessible. You also have to train with your firearm. Notice I said TRAIN, not practice...they are not the same thing.
There are all kinds of self defense shooting classes out there. The ISRA Academy offers several with different instructors. David Diller offers ISRA Pistol 201 on August
23. Please CLICK HERE to register online for Pistol 201. That would be a great one to start with. You also have to have a plan and you have to rehearse that plan. Your mind calls on experience to deal with any
situation. If you have no experience in dealing with a life threatening situation, the panic and confusion sets in and you are likely doomed.
Be prepared! Sign up for one of our terrific training classes today!
Please check the ISRA Calendar on the website HERE for available classes.
Not an ISRA member?Join the ISRA and support 2A rights in Illinois - CLICK
HERE.
Hunting dangerous game is thrilling but, of course, dangerous. Pitting the skill of the hunter against the instincts of incredibly powerful animals is the
challenge. African game animals are extremely tough critters. They are much tougher than North American big game animals, like grizzlies and moose...not that you want to tangle with one of those either.
Last week, an American hunter was hunting Cape Buffalo and was gored to death. The buffalo weighed in at about 2600 pounds, which is a lot of “mad” to handle. I have friends that hunt in Africa and their experiences have
been great.
SNAFU for ISRA F Class Rifle Team at Nationals
The ISRA F Class Nationals Rifle Team had some hiccups during Nationals. It all started with Steve
assigned to Tgt 13. He shot 200-13X and was in 13th place after 1st relay. Bad mojo. Jerry fired 6 shots for record and he snapped the bolt handle off his Kelby’s action. Brian shot 3 rounds, piercing all 3 primers on his Stiller Tac30 action. His rifle was out of commission. Cipriani, on his way up for 4 man team, had a medical issue. Doug got moved to compete with the ISRA Young Dogs. Greg had to find replacements for Doug and
Cipriani.
We did not bring up spare rifles, just spare ammo, just in case. Jim lent Jerry his 284 win and ammo that won IL State F Class Championship last year. Brian decided to go home rather than borrow a rifle. Doug was near heat exhaustion during 4-man team. Jerry developed pneumonia. Mike turned back to tell scorer he was going for record. His finger touched the trigger and shot a five on his
target. Kelby’s is full warrantying the action. Stiller isn’t standing behind their action. Mojo got Steve in the end as he got stung by a bee. The four 4-man teams bonded and help each other, looking forward to IL F Class State Championship in September. Ernesta did an excellent as a first year team captain. Steve, Greg, and Geoff captained the other 4-man teams.
Not an ISRA member?Join the ISRA and support 2A rights in Illinois - CLICK HERE.
Litigation Update
All of our litigation is proceeding. We are preparing for our oral arguments in The Harrel et al v Rauol et al on September 22, 2025. I want to thank all of those who are supporting our efforts.
Schoenthal v Raoul- The case has been argued and we are awaiting a decision from the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
In other news...the Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled that a Minnesota law which requires all firearms to have a serial number is unconstitutional. The law was aimed directly at Privately Manufactured Firearms
(PMFs). The law does apply to firearms that do require a serial number under Federal Law. If you buy a Glock, Rock River, Smith & Wesson or some other factory produced firearm, and file off the serial number, you are going to have trouble, and rightfully so. For the people who by Glock or AR15 kits, this is good news, at least in Minnesota. The case came about because a person was in a car accident and the Minnesota State Trooper found an Glock19 knock-off, built from
a kit. He was charged under this law. It is too bad that a person has to go though such troubling and expensive times just to get their rights back, but that’s the way it is these days. Unfortunately, Illinois has a similar law, so be aware.
“Guns N Grub” Event At The ISRA Range – Volunteers Needed!
Come join us for a one-of-a-kind event at the ISRA Range in Bonfield, IL. on September 13, starting at 9am! Firearm training, great food, and a vibrant shopping experience combine to create an unforgettable day filled with excitement, learning, and cameraderie.
To learn more about the Guns N Grub event and to register, go HERE.
We also need volunteers
to help during the day from 7am to 5:30pm.Coffee, donuts and lunch are provided.If you would like to to volunteer to help out during this terrific event or If you have any questions, please call the ISRA office at 815-635-3198 or email us at: member@isra.org
Mail-in entries must be postmarked by August 13th, 2025.
Online entries must be made before August 20th,
2025.
Winning Ticket to be drawn August 20th.
This year’s challenge coin memorializes “The Shot Heard Around the World”. Eighty armed patriots had the courage to stand against the most powerful empire the world had ever known. This emphasizes the importance of the 2nd Amendment and the birth of the United States of America.
Right now, we all realize we are in the fight
of our lives. We are fighting to preserve the 2nd Amendment on every level: local, state, and national. It is not news that this battle takes money. The fight has become very expensive, and we need every penny to keep the fight going.
When you purchase this year’s challenge coin, you are helping fund our side of the battle that we are in. You have been entered into a drawing for 122 great prizes. There is one terrific prize for every year of our
existence. The more tickets you purchase gives you additional chances to win a prize and help us fight on to victory. Your mail-in entry must be postmarked by August 13th, 2025. Your online entry must be made before 8:00AM CDT on Wednesday, August 20th, 2025. The winning tickets will be drawn August 20th, 2025, at the Illinois State Rifle Association
headquarters.
Whether you win a prize or not, your purchase is an investment in the fight for liberty. Without your support, Illinois gun owners would be left to face relentless attacks with fewer resources.
Don’t sit on the sidelines. Stand with us. Honor the courage of 1775 by acting in 2025.
*Winner does not have to be present to win and will be notified.Dues and donations to the ISRA are NOT tax deductible. You have 90 days from the drawing to pick up your prize(s). All winners of firearms must comply with all federal, state, and local laws. Good luck to all!
Once again, we are pleased to announce our “Sighting-In Day” raffle for a Savage Axis II 350 Legend w/scope and other great prizes. Tickets are only
$10 a piece and entering is easy – enter online, by phone or by mail! Entries by mail must be postmarked by October 13, 2025. The drawing is at 1pm on October 21, 2025.
One need not be present to win and winner will be notified. Dues & donations to the ISRA are NOT tax deductible. Winner of firearm must comply with all federal, state, and local
laws. You have 90 days from the drawing to claim firearm. Good luck to all!
We are also pleased to announce our M1 Garand Expert Rifle Raffle with WWII U.S. Army M1923 M1 Garand rifle cartridge belt. Tickets are $20 per chance, 3 for $50, 8 for $100,
etc. The winning ticket will be drawn on November 11, 2025.
One need not be present to win and winner will be notified. Dues & donations to the ISRA are NOT tax deductible. Winner of firearm must comply with all federal, state, and local laws. You have 90 days from the drawing to claim firearm. Good luck to all!
To Enter online, CLICK HERE , or call the ISRA office for more details at
815-635-3198
“I am frequently asked if the ISRA sells our membership list.
The answer is absolutely not.”~ Richard Pearson
Upcoming ISRA Academy Classes:
NRA Basic Rifle: 8/22/25 NRA Basic Instructor Training (BIT): 8/23/25 NRA Basic Rifle Instructor: 8/24/25 Intermediate Rifle:
9/20-21 CCL Renewal: 9/21/25 Refuse To Be a Victim: 10/10/25 in Sparta, IL NRA Basic Pistol: 10/11/25 in Sparta, IL NRA Basic Rifle: 10/12/25 in Sparta, IL
NRA Range Safety Officer, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Concealed Carry, NRA Basic Pistol, and
NRA Basic Pistol Instructor available in November/December!!
Registration is open for the ISRA Pistol 201 Course on Saturday, August 23, 2025, with instructor David Diller. The course covers a range of topics in a classroom setting,
as well as practical exercises, dry fire training and live fire training at the ISRA Range. Please CLICK HERE to register online or call us the ISRA office ASAP. It is a terrific course!
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.
August 22 (Friday) NRA Basic
Rifle Shooting Course – Range 11 & Clubhouse 8:30am-5pm
August 23 (Saturday) NRA Basic Instructor Training (BIT) – Clubhouse 8:30am-2:30pm
August 23 (Saturday) ISRA Pistol Training 201 Course – Range 8 8am-5pm
August 24 (Sunday) NRA Basic Rifle Instructor – Range 11 & Clubhouse 8:30am-6pm
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 - There are a few spaces left. Sign up as soon as you can!
*** Please contact academy@isra.org for any training or class questions and check the ISRA Range for links to dates, times, descriptions of ISRA activities and events.
World Shooting and Recreational Complex (WSRC) Events
Located at:1 Main Event Lane, Unit 502-503,
Sparta, IL 62286
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
August 15,
1914 – The Panama Canal is finally opened to traffic. The building of the Panama Canal is quite a tail. At first, the French, who had built the Suez Canal in 1869, decided to build the canal, but they went bankrupt. They did not know how to fight all of the diseases from the mosquitoes and all of the things that could go wrong in a tropical location.
The United States had experience with the mosquito problem and
yellow fever, all the way from Tennessee to Louisiana, starting in the 1880s. It took three years just to clear the jungle and underbrush, fighting the mosquitoes, so they could start building the canal. Finally, in 1909, construction began. U.S. engineers moved 240 million cubic yards of earth and spent $400 million to construct the 40 mile long canal. Remember, those numbers were 1914 numbers. A great job on the part of the
U.S.A.!
August 16, 1896– George Carmack spots gold nuggets in a creek bed while fishing for salmon. Carmack was fishing near the Klondike River in Alaska with two companions. The discovery led to the last gold rush. Thousands of prospectors and merchants then came to Alaska. In the end, it was the merchants who ended up making all of the
money.
August 17, 1943– General George S. Patton and the General's Field Marshal, Bernard Montgomery, reaches Massina, Italy first, completing the allied conquest of Sicily. General George S. Patton was one of my favorite generals in history. He wasn't a politician. He was a General Sometimes he got in trouble because he told it the way it
was.
August 18, 1227– Genghis Khan dies. The great Mongol leader had established an empire that covered most of Eurasia. He was one of the greatest warriors in history. You just have to love a guy who played polo with the skulls of his enemies. Khan died at age 60, probably from a fall from a
horse.
August 19, 1812– The U.S. Constitution earned the name “Old Ironsides” when it engages the British warship Guerriere. The British Navy was considered invincible, but the U.S. Constitution changed all of that. The action between the two ships was close and violent, but the American oak, of which the ship was made, was so tough that the
British cannonballs bounced off the side. The American victory against the British warship rallied the public opinion to support the war. USS Constitution is the oldest warship in service in the world.
August 20, 1911– The New York Times sends a telegram around the world in 16 minutes. It shows how far technology had come in only 50 years. The next century,
technology exploded exponentially. We see this every day in our lives, but whether this turns out for good or bad, it all depends on us.
Other Events & Gun Shows
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 Weekly Range Schedule.
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.
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
