Thursday Bulletin – May 1, 2025
Executive Director's Message Richard Pearson |
Lieutenant Colonel David Grossman at IGOLD, May 14, 2025 Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is an internationally recognized scholar, author, soldier, and speaker who is one of the world’s foremost experts in the
field of human aggression and the roots of violence and violent crime. A West Point psychology professor, Professor of Military Science, and an Army Ranger, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is also the author or co-author of five non-fiction and four fiction books and has co-authored a New York Times best-selling book with Glenn Beck. His books sell world-wide, translated into numerous
languages, and have been on required reading lists for the FBI academy, the US Marine Corps Commandant’s Required Reading List and other academies and colleges. He has presented papers before the national conventions of the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and to over 100
different colleges and universities world wide, and has trained educators and law enforcement professionals, at the federal, state and regional level, in all 50 states and over a dozen foreign nations. Lt. Col. Grossman was also called to the White House to serve on President Trump’s Round Table on Violent Video Games, was an expert witness in numerous cases and has also testified before Congress on three occasions...and this is just a small portion of his impressive, extensive
resume. Needless to say, Lt. Col. Grossman's depth of knowledge is not only vast, but extremely relevant to the ongoing fight for our Second Amendment rights. His timely presentations are not to be missed! Make sure you save the date to hear him speak at this year's IGOLD on May 14, 2025 – you'll be glad you did! Hopefully, everyone has received their IGOLD mailing. Due to a printing error, the zip code for Chatsworth, IL, was left off. Please add it...60921. Display Tables Available at IGOLD Display tables will be available at the Bank of Springfield Convention Center during IGOLD for $100.00 each. If you or your company are interested or need more information, please call the ISRA
headquarters at 815-635-3198. We will be glad to sign you up and we take credit cards for your convenience. Buy 2025 IGOLD Raffle Tickets Online! CLICK
HERE I want to thank all of those who are entering or donating to the 2025 IGOLD Raffle. Your contributions are critical to protecting the Second Amendment in Illinois. Those who have email will have their raffle tickets emailed to them. Since you are reading this online, I’m sure this includes you. Those who don’t
have email will receive them by USPS snail mail. Emailing your tickets to you is faster, more efficient, and less expensive. Every penny we save is one more penny to help us in our epic fight to protect the Second Amendment. Be sure to watch your email. I hope to see you on Wednesday May 14th at the Bank of Springfield Convention Center Doors open at 10:30 am. I am really excited to hear Col. Grossman speak. Thank you, again, for supporting the ISRA! Make sure to get your tickets in ASAP and receive your commemorative pin! New IGOLD Merchandise in the ISRA Online Store Come visit the ISRA Online Store to view our new line of IGOLD merchandise. We have new items added every week and, if you have
something particular you would like to see available, let us know! We would love to hear your ideas and appreciate your input! Email them to us at: member@isra.org Visit the ISRA Online Store HERE ISRA Takes Next Steps in DOJ Requests Like you, we're fed up with anti-Second Amendment legislators in Springfield who are hellbent on stripping away our constitutional rights as law-abiding
citizens. And while we continue to challenge these unlawful laws in court -- and remain confident of victory -- we also have some good news to share. In fact, very good news! As you recall -- last month -- the U.S. Department of Justice launched an investigation in California after law-abiding citizens were facing up to 18-month delays in Los Angeles for their concealed-carry
licenses. The DOJ is arguing that this is a violation of 2A rights! In fact, Attorney General Pam Bodi said this "infringes" on 2A rights and her "Department will actively enforce the Second Amendment just like it actively enforces other fundamental constitutional rights." How refreshing to finally have a President and a U.S. Justice Department committed to protecting our 2A
rights! We're also aware that we face the same delays here in Illinois that keep law-abiding gun owners from receiving their concealed-carry licenses and FOID cards in a timely manner, or their firearms, if they were unfairly seized by law enforcement officials. It's simply unacceptable and an infringement on our rights. So, we are asking for your help. We'd like to hear from you about your "delays." Please tell us your issue, and how long you've been waiting for your concealed-carry licenses and FOID cards, or for the return of your firearm. You can email
all this information to our new inbox and please include your full name, address and phone number: investigations@isra.org As always, we'll continue to keep you updated, and we won't back down until
our 2A rights are restored here in Illinois! Litigation Update As of today, there is nothing new to update. We are watching for any movement in the cases in which ISRA is involved. As always, we will keep you apprised of any news. As always the Illinois State Rifle Association fights for you. Not a member? join today! Join the ISRA HERE. Donate to Legal Assistance HERE! Legislative Update This week, both the Illinois House and Senate are in session. We are always on alert for movement on legal matters. In the Illinois House, SB8, the so-called “Safe Storage Act” is being heard. This
is another attempt to put law-abiding gun owners in a legal “trick bag”. As always, we will keep you updated if we hear any news. You can follow along by clicking the ISRA
Legislation Page. The Police Cannot Save You – Only You Can I, like you, am aghast at what is going on in our country. Criminal illegal aliens beat, rape, rob and murder citizens and get a slap on the wrist...or
maybe it's more like a tap on the wrist. Our home-grown criminals are out of jail before the arresting officer gets their paper work done. Meanwhile, the victims of these crimes are left traumatized and have to deal with the emotional damage the rest of their lives. Their families, as well, suffer just as much. To make matters worse, the victims have less rights than the criminals. Activist judges actually help the criminals. Last week, we learned of a judge trying to sneak a criminal out of the courthouse so ICE agents couldn’t arrest them. Another judge was caught hiding Venezuelan gang members on his property. What can you and I do about this? I think Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper had the best take on this. Here is what the
Colonel said..... “If you want violent crime to be curbed, it is only the intended victim who can do it. The felon does not fear the police, and he neither fears the judge nor the jury. Therefore he must be taught to fear his victim.” I always say 911 is the government version of “dial a prayer”. The police cannot get to you in time. You HOPE the police will arrive in time, but hope is a poor strategy. Statistics show armed citizens shoot more criminals than the police. Armed citizens stop more mass shooting than the police. You have to save yourself but you can’t do it unless you are prepared. When you are being attacked is no time for
“on the job training”. Please get a concealed carry license and then please take more training. There are all kinds of training classes, basic to advanced. PLEASE take one. The life you save will probably be your own. Spam Caution – Emails Touting “Zero” Work CCLs Please be on the lookout for emails which claim that, if you “act fast”, you'll be able to “download the nation's best Concealed Carry Certification
available today.” Firstly, these are not legal here. Secondly, we cannot vouch for this website so we highly suggest that you DO NOT click any of the links provided. If you ever have questions about CCLs, please call us and we will give you the pertinent information. Remember...if it looks too good to be true, it probably is! Hunter Or Hunted In Africa In the past week, I was talking to a member who was explaining to me how safe it was to be hunting in Africa. I have never been to Africa but I have been getting more
skeptical about the safety of people there, given the changing conditions on that continent. It was reported that, on April 19th, a hunting camp was raided in Mozambique and two people were beheaded. Fortunately, none were Americans because there weren’t any there. To be fair, Mozambique is on the east coast of Africa. As we all know, nothing good comes from the east. “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. Register NOW for ISRA Academy CCL Renewals Do not miss out on the ISRA Academy featuring CCL renewals each month. Upcoming dates are: 5/11/2025 (Sunday) 1:00pm – 4:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse – Register HERE 5/25/2025 (Sunday)
9:00pm – 12:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse – Register HERE Education & Training @ ISRA Range, Bonfield, IL. CCL Renewal & Qualification 5/11/2025 (Sunday) 1:00pm – 4:00pm / Range 11 & Clubhouse – Register HERE 5/25/2025 (Sunday) 9:00pm – 12:00pm / Range 11
& Clubhouse – Register HERE ISRA Pistol 201 Course 8/23/2025 (Saturday)
8:00am – 5:00pm / Range 8 – Register HERE NRA Basic Pistol 5/24/2025 (Saturday) 9:00am – 5:30pm / Range 1
& Clubhouse – Register HERE Defensive Shotgun 1 & 2 8/24/2025 (Sunday) 9:00am – 4:00pm / Range 9
– Register HERE NRA Range Safety Officer Class 5/3/2025 (Saturday) 8:30am – 6:00pm / Range 1 & Clubhouse – Register HERE *** 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. Important Announcement - IGOLD The 2025 IGOLD date has been moved to
May 14, 2025. This is due to a change in the legislative calendar. I am looking forward to seeing you there. ISRA Members: The Spring 2025 Shooter will soon be on our website. The Illinois State Rifle Association is the home of marksmanship in Illinois Tidbits May 1, 1851 – The Great Exhibition of 1851 open in especially constructed Crystal Palace in London’s Hyde Park. The massive exhibition was the first of its type. There were more than 14 miles of exhibits, including industrial machines, household appliances, false teeth, flush toilets, steam engines and farm machinery. The purpose of the exhibition was to show off Great Britain’s industrial prowess. Great Britain clearly
dominated in every area but farm machinery. The British were surprised at the innovations introduced by Americans. More than sixty million people visited the Great Exhibition. American industrialists and inventors took notice. Within a few years the United States would catch up. May 2, 1885 – Good Housekeeping Magazine first edition goes on sale in Holyoke, Massachusetts. It's goal was to “produce and perpetuate perfection in the American household.” But at it's very beginning, it concentrated on food safety. Unfortunately, in those days, there were no safety standards for food, so contamination was frequent. Good Housekeeping Magazine published articles which highlighted such things as asbestos in candy, formaldehyde in infant formula and ice cream. The publication became a trusted source for reputable companies and products, all of which would proudly display the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.” May 3, 1942 – The Battle of the Coral Sea begins. This engagement by the United States Navy stopped the Japanese attacks on Australia's Port Moresby, as well as other South Pacific targets. The Japanese were able to occupy the Solomon Islands. This was the first naval battle in history where the ships of the opposing forces never saw each
other. May 4, 1776 – Rhode Island becomes the first colony to renounce allegience to George III. Rhode Island had a checkered past, however. West Indies molasses would be shipped to Rhode Island where it was made into rum. The rum was then shipped to West Africa where it was traded for slaves.
Those slaves where then shipped to the West Indies and traded for more molasses to be shipped back to Rhode Island. Not a very pretty picture. May 4, 1865 – President Abraham Lincoln's body finally arrives in Springfield, Illinois. The President's funeral train had traveled to 180 cities and seven states
before arriving in Springfield. May 5, 1921 – Coco Chanel debuts her famous perfume, Chanel No.5. Chanel's favorite number was 5. She picked the fifth batch as their final fragrance and introduced it on the fifth day of the fifth month of 1921. May 6, 1935 – President Franklin Roosevelt signed an executive order creating the Works Progress Administration. There were 10 million unemployed in the United States at the time and, after the creation of the WPA, 3 million of those were employed by the WPA. WPA workers built roads, hospitals, airports, schools, restored theaters, and did all kinds of different jobs to help restore America. May 7, 2000 – Vladimir Putin is sworn in as President of the Soviet Union. He has won every election since. Amazing. 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. May 17 – May 18, 2025 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman's Show, Kankakee Co. Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL. June 6 – June 8, 2025 Pecatonica Gun Show, Winnebago County Fairgrounds, Pecatonica, IL. 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. Oct 12,
2025 Kane County Sportsman's Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL. Oct 25 – Oct 26, 2025 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL. Nov 1, 2025 Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL. Nov 9, 2025 Kane County Sportsman's Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, 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. Dec 14, 2025 Kane County Sportsman's Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL. ISRA Grassroots Monthly Meetings
Come and meet fellow activists and learn the latest on protecting
our Second Amendment Rights! Northwest Suburban - 3rd Tues – Village Pizza and Pub Elgin - 2496 N 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 &
Thank you for being a member! |
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