Every year I am asked who I recommend for the NRA Board of Directors. Up until now, I have avoided the question. This year I have decided to tell you my recommendations. Remember, these are my recommendations - if you have other ideas that is
fine. The important thing is that eligible voting members actually DO VOTE. The turn out for NRA Board of Directors elections have been miserable.
My criteria for my picks are simple. I must know them and they must actually do something that matters. Reading a resume alone doesn't get it for me. I much prefer sweat over talk. I know many of the candidates on the list but that doesn't mean I am going to recommend
them.
To be eligible to vote in NRA elections you must be a five year or a Life, Endowment, Patron or Benefactor member of the NRA. The NRA Board of Directors has 76 members. One third of them (25) are elected each year for a three year term. The 76th board member is elected for a one year term at the annual meeting. Eligible members can vote for up to 25 candidates. The problem is that for every person you vote beyond that first vote makes each
subsequent vote less valuable. The fewer people you vote for the more weight your vote has. The term for this is “bullet voting” which is highly appropriate for a rifle association. There is a balance between one and twenty five. I believe the practical number is five. Below are my five recommendations.
Robert Beckman - Cincinnati, Ohio.
Lynn Gibson - New Athens, Illinois.
Amanda Suffecool - Wayland,
Ohio.
Todd Vandermyde - Yorkville, Illinois.
James Wallace - Newburyport, Massachusetts.
Remember, this is just what I think. Remember, your vote is still YOUR VOTE.
Not an ISRA member?Join the ISRA and support 2A rights in Illinois - CLICK
HERE.
Join Us for the 2025–2026 Air Pistol Training Season!
Join us at the ISRA Range in Bonfield on Thursday, October 23rd, as we begin the 2025–2026 Air Pistol Instruction and Practice Training season!
This program is open to the public, and new shooters are welcome —
no prior experience is required. If you don’t have your own air pistol, we have several Olympic-quality pistols available for your use. Targets and ammunition will be provided.
You’ll receive professional coaching from Mike Vernon and Richard Pearson, making this a great opportunity to learn or improve your marksmanship skills in a safe, friendly environment.
Where: ISRA
Range, Bonfield, IL When: Thursdays beginning October 23rd Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM Cost: $5.00 per night
Come on out and give it a try — it’s a great way to train, compete, and meet fellow shooters.
If you’re not already a member, we encourage you to join the ISRA and help defend and promote your Second Amendment rights here in Illinois.
• Meyer v. Raoul (18-20 yr CCL cases) (S.D. Ill.) - Summary
judgment filings are filed and awaiting a ruling. A trial may be rescheduled if necessary depending on the outcome of the summary judgment motions. Hopefully recent favorable rulings on this issue in other courts will have a positive effect on the rulings in our case.
• Miller v. Smith (foster care/home day care firearm prohibitions) (C.D. Ill.) – Summary judgment filings have been completed and awaiting a
ruling.
• Harrel v. Raoul (AWB/LCM "PICA" case) (7th Cir.) – Oral argument has been completed and we are awaiting a ruling from the Seventh Circuit. There was a judgment in Plaintiffs’ favor in the District Court which has been stayed pending this current appeal.
ISRA SUPPORTING
• Schoenthal v. Raoul (public
transportation CCL case) (7th Cir.) – Judgment in Seventh Circuit for State; Petition for writ of certiorari will be filed at the Supreme Court in early December.
• Atkinson v. Garland (federal felon restoration) (N.D. Ill.) – Awaiting ruling on Motion to Dismiss in District Court after remand by Seventh Circuit to interpret law in light of Bruen. Court may be waiting to see if SCOTUS takes case involving similar
issue.
• Kuhlman v. Hines ("clear and present danger" civil rights violation) (C.D. Ill.) – Summary Judgment Motions due in the coming weeks.
• Brunke v. Raoul (challenge to "clear and present danger" statute) (N.D. Ill.) – Case has been settled in light of change to clear-and-present-danger law, and various other individual forms of relief to named Plaintiffs. ISRA
does not believe this settlement will resolve the entire issue, however, and will be providing updates regarding the new law and procedures that will be governing this situation after January 1, 2026.
Thanks to all those who have and will continue to support the ISRA in our efforts to protect the Second Amendment in Illinois. If you are not a member join now. This fight is far from over.
Not an ISRA member?Join the ISRA and support 2A rights in Illinois - click
HERE.
Legislative Update
Many members have called concerning HB3320 and SB2279 . These are duplicate bills, known as the RIFL Acts, which are designed to destroy firearms manufacturing in Illinois. These bills, if enacted, would raise the cost of a firearm from $1800 to $2000 per firearm. The excuse is to use the money raised from the unfair tax to give to the victims of "Gun Violence". The
term "Gun Violence" is a made-up term to attack your constitutional right own a firearm. The real solution is to hold the criminals who commit murders and mayhem responsible. Of course, the “soft-on-crime” people have caused this problem in the first place.
This is all part of the anti-gun strategy to cut off the supply of firearms, making it all but impossible to own a firearm and to exercise your Second Amendment rights. Be sure to look over the
list of sponsors of these onerous bills. It is a list of the anti-gun legislators.
I do not expect either one of these bills to pass in the Second Veto Session but we will certainly see these bills, or versions of them, in the Spring Session. Pass the word, alert your friends.
Duck hunting is a Christmas tradition in many states, but not Illinois. The reason for this are the restrictions placed on counties and states by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1916. The MBTA has
been amended several times as conditions have changed. The original impetus for the MBTA was the endless slaughter of migratory birds by market hunters. Many species would be extinct now had it not been for the MBTA.
Individual states have very little latitude as to the number of hunting days allowed and the ability to split seasons. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is going to seek public input regarding changing duck season in
Southern Illinois to allow Christmas duck hunting. I will let you know when hearings are going to be held.
CCL And FOID Numbers in Illinois Up in 2025
Concealed Carry Licenses in Illinois for 2025 were 525,512.
FOID cards in Illinois for 2025 were 2,473,655.
ATTENTION – Glock Models To Be Discontinued
Glock has announced they are going to discontinue all of their double stack models and replace them with the V series models. The slim line models are not going to be discontinued. All this is supposed to happen on November 30th.
2025 Youth Deer Season A Huge
Success
This year, the young hunters took 4,714 deer... an increase of 617 deer over the 2024 season. Congratulations!
For those young hunters who were not successful, their permits are valid for the November 21-23 and December 4-7 seasons.
Daylight Saving – Time To Set Clocks Back An
Hour
Daylight Saving Time ends on November 2, 2025, which means clocks will be set back one hour, allowing for earlier sunsets as the full moon rises in the evening sky. November's full moon will be a “Super Beaver Moon” and will occur on November 5, 2025. It is notable for being slightly larger and brighter due to its closer proximity to Earth.
Get Your “M1 Garand Rifle Raffle” Tickets By Nov. 13!
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.
Entries must be postmarked by November 13,
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..
Emergency Medical Classes Available To ISRA Members
ISRA Academy is please to offer a
duel-certificate 8-hour emergency medicine course that is registered with the IDoH. Firearms instructors and RSOs receive up to 8-hours of continuing education CEU credits for completing this class. The class is open for all ISRA members. The full, one day, 8-hour class runs twice on two consecutive days – on November 8th, or November 9th, from 8am – 5pm.
If you are an ISRA member and reload your own ammunition the ISRA Range has once fired brass for sale. Please contact Mike James at
847-456-3386.
“I am frequently asked if the ISRA sells our membership list.
The answer is absolutely not.”~ Richard Pearson
Highland Pistol & Rifle Club International Pistol Event
2025-26 NRA Approved Open Indoor International Air Pistol, Standard Pistol, and Free Pistol Match in Highland, Illinois
MATCHES WILL BE HELD ON THESE SATURDAYS
Saturday
11/1/2025 & 12/6/2025
Saturday 1/3/2026 & 2/7/2026
Match #1 will begin at 9:00AM
Match #2-5 will begin at 11:00AM
Match #6 will begin at 12:30PM
Fee: NRA Registration & Entry fee $30.00 per competitor for all .22 matches or Air Gun Match. $30.00 for any combination of .22 and Air Match. Shooters under 18 pay $15.00 for all three matches.
Send no money in
advance.
Matches:
Match 1. Free pistol, 60 shots, slow fire
Match 2. 20 shots Slow fire (standard pistol)
Match 3. 20 shots Timed fire (standard pistol)
Match 4. 20 shots Rapid fire (standard pistol)
Match 5. Aggregate matches 2-4
Match 6. 10 Meter Air pistol 60 shots slow fire (Rule 7.5G)
There will be a limit of 9 competitors. If you wish to reserve
a place on the line, please contact John LaBusier (618-327-8518 or jblphoto@yahoo.com ). If you are unable to attend, please notify me 48 hours in advance so that another competitor may take your place.
Rules:Current NRA pistol rules will govern. Standard pistol rule 3.5H will apply. Air pistol course of fire will be Rule 7.5G.
Targets:B-33 targets for standard pistol, B-40-4 targets for Air pistol, and B-11 targets for Free pistol. Tuning targets will be used.
Competitors:You do
not need to be an NRA member. Competitors must have equipment that meets all rules and match specifications.
Classification:NRA classifications will be used, and current NRA rules will apply. It is the competitor's duty to have their current classification card when entering the tournament. Unclassified shooters will obtain a temporary score record book from the match director and will shoot in the
Master class for the first match.
Awards:No awards will be made.
Contact:jblphoto@yahoo.comJohn B. LaBusier 618-246-6648 or Club 618-654-5971
December 6 (Saturday) Range Work Day – 8:00am – 4:00pm
*** 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.
*** 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.
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.
October 30, 1991 – Hurricane Grace, which
became known as “The Perfect Storm”, intensifies in the North Atlantic. The 70 foot fishing boat, Andrea Gail, is lost. None of her crew was ever found. There was a book and a movie about “The Perfect Storm.”
October 31, 1517 – German priest, Martin Luther, nails 95 theses to the door of the castle church at Wittenburg, Germany.In these theses, Martin Luther condemned the
practice of selling forgiveness of a person's sins for cash money. This was a time when Pope Leo X was trying to raise money for the renovation of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. Martin Luther was condemned for his actions.
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V of Germany declared Martin Luther an outlaw and gave permission to anyone to kill him without consequence. Prince Frederick, however, protected Martin Luther. By the time Martin Luther died in 1546, the
Protestant Reformation was underway.
November 1, 1777 – John Paul Jones, in command of the USS Ranger, set sail with his crew from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Their destination was the French naval port of Brest, France, to re-supply before heading to the Irish Sea and to raid England coastline.
November 3, 2016– Chicago Cubs win their first World
Series since 1908. In 1945, the owner of the Billy Goat Tavern and his pet billy goat were not allowed into game four of the World Series in which the Cubs were playing. The owner proclaimed “you're gonna lose the World Series! You're never gonna win another one again!” In 2016, the curse of the billy goat was finally broken.
November 4, 1922– The entrance to King Tut's tomb is
discovered. The entrance to the tomb had been covered in debris from the excavation of King Ramses' tomb and overlooked for centuries. King Tut died at only 18 years old and was considered a minor king. Still, Tut's untouched tomb provided great insight into ancient Egypt.
November 5, 1940– Franklin D. Roosevelt is re-elected president for the third time. Roosevelt was elected on the promise of
maintaining American neutrality. America did not want involvement in another European war. Roosevelt knew that war was coming and he did everything he could to prepare America.
Roosevelt fought for the passage of the Lend-Lease Act in March, 1941. Later that year, Roosevelt and Winston Churchill would proclaim a joint statement outlining the goals of the two countries for the post-war world. This statement was known as the Atlantic
Charter.
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.
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.
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 591 S Randall Rd, Algonquin, 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
Montgomery County – 1st Wednesday of the month – Piasa Armory, 625 Lewis and Clark Blvd., East Alton, IL; Doors open at 6:15pm; Meeting starts at 6:30pm
