On November 3rd, Dick Cheney, the 46th Vice President, passed away. He was known to have had heart problems for years. He also had a heart transplant. Dick Cheney was a tough man. He loved the USA and believed in a very strong military. I met
him once. When I shook his hand and looked into his piercing blue eyes, you could tell things were going on. His grip was very firm.
One of our ISRA members was a Secret Service Agent assigned to guard the Vice President. One day, the agent wore his “Distinguished Expert Pistol” pin while on duty. One of the Vice President's staffers called out the agent, demanding to know what the pin stood for and why was he wearing it. Vice President
Cheney stepped in and explained that it meant the agent was one of the top pistol shots in the nation and that he was happy to have him on the security detail. No one ever asked about the pin again.
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.
The Enemies Of Freedom Never Sleep.....
Sixty-seven years ago, J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the FBI, published "Masters of Deceit," a book revealing the communist movement in the United States. American communism was promoted and funded in large part by the U.S.S.R. When the U.S.S.R. collapsed in 1991, everyone thought communist
infiltration was over but, by that time, the American communist movement was self-funded. The threat of communism was so great that in 1938 the House Un-American Activities Committee was formed to investigate disloyalty and subversive activities. The committee was dissolved in 1974, which I believe was a mistake. For a time, communism subsided and fell out of the public eye. However, communist sympathizers didn't go away. They hid in jobs within government agencies,
universities, non-government organizations (NGOs) and also within the media. They were protected by “fellow travelers” in these organizations, particularly in universities and NGOs. A “fellow traveler” is someone who sympathizes with the movement but doesn't become a formal member. Now, they are emerging after gaining strength and funding from billionaires like George Soros and others.
One major point of their attack is on the Second Amendment.
The citizens of the United States, unlike European countries and other countries around the world, are willing to stand up against government overreach. The Second Amendment is there to protect us against enemies both foreign and domestic, a power communists can't abide. Their goal is to abolish or neutralize the Second Amendment. Attacks on the firearms industry is a prime example of what they are doing.
In California, the legislature passed a law
outlawing Glocks and Governor Gavin Newsom happily signed this legislation into law. The law is unconstitutional but it will take millions to fight such laws in the courts. The goal is to bankrupt the firearms industry. The funding to push that law though came from billionaires George Soros and Mark Zuckerberg. Micheal Bloomberg funds all kinds of phony research demonizing firearms, firearm owners, firearm dealers and companies. They fund schemes for back-door firearms
registration, publishing names of gun owners, falsely accusing people with 07 type Federal Firearms Licenses of buying mass quantities of prohibited firearms and publishing their names and addresses. They push Red Flag Laws and so-called "safe storage " laws, all as part of their plan.
Assuming the enemies of freedom won't win is a fatal error. Many gun owners don't want to hear about what is going on, don't want to speak up about their Second Amendment rights or
take any action at all. That is not the way to win. The way to win is to face these people head on. What J. Edgar Hoover said 67 years ago is still true today. If you haven't read "Masters of Deceit," you should.
One of the best ways to fight back is to join the Illinois State Rifle Association. If you are not a member, please join. If you are a member, please donate.
Responsible carry starts with understanding the law. Make sure you’re
protected across state lines.
ISRA Ruger 10/22 Collector Series Raffle – Tickets Now Available
Buy your tickets early for the ISRA Ruger 10/22 Collector Series Rifle Raffle! Drawing will be held on January 7, 2026.
You need not be present to win. Dues and donations to the
ISRA are NOT tax deductible. Winner of the Ruger Rifle must comply with all federal, state and local laws. Winner has 90 days to claim prize.
Scan the QR code in the ad or click HERE to purchase tickets. For more info, call the ISRA office
at: 815-635-3198.
Litigation Update
ISRA SUPPORTING
• Schoenthal v. Raoul (public transportation CCL case) (7th Cir.) – Judgment in Seventh Circuit for State; Petition for writ of certiorari has been filed at the Supreme Court.
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
We have just reserved the Bank of Springfield Convention Center, 1
Convention Center Plaza, Springfield Illinois, for IGOLD 2026 on April 15th, 2026. More details to follow. Please mark your calendars to reserve this date.
Remember the story about a truck loaded with three research monkeys turning over and the monkeys escaping? These monkeys are aggressive and dangerous. One of those monkeys just happened to turn up in the neighborhood of Jessica Bond Ferguson. Ferguson, a mother of four, was concerned
about the safety of her children and other children in the area. Freguson didn't hesitate. She got her gun and shot the monkey twice, killing it. Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle! Outstanding job! It pays to be prepared.
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.
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.
Join Us for the 2025–2026 Air Pistol Training Season
Join us at the ISRA Range in Bonfield on every Thursday night, 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 in October 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.
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.
November 6,1917 – The Bolsheviks revolted
in Russia.Lead by Vladimir Lenin, they occupied government buildings in Petrograd (now St. Petersberg) in a nearly bloodless coup. In 1918, however, they killed Czar Nicholas II and his entire family. One of those involved was none other than Joseph Stalin. Eventually, they would form the world's first communist state, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
(USSR).
November 7, 1944 – Franklin D.Roosevelt wins an unprecedented 4th term to become the longest serving president in U.S. History. Up until that time, Presidents voluntarily stepped down after two terms. Roosevelt was in ill health, the stress of World War II taking a toll on him. He dies in April 1945 and was succeeded by Harry Truman. In 1951, the 22nd Amendment was passed which limited the
President to two terms.
November 8, 1895 – German physicist, Wilhelm Rontgen, discovered the x-ray. Although it was an accidental find by Rontgen, he won the Nobel Prize for his discovery.
November 9, 1862 – Ambrose Burnside becomes commander of the Union Army replacing George McClellan. Burnside would have a hard time reconciling the pro and anti-McClellan factions in the Union Army. Burnside
was soon replaced. After the Civil War, Burnside would become treasurer of the Illinois Central Railroad, Governor of Rhode Island, United States Senator and first President of the National Rifle Association.
November 10, 1775 – The Continental Congress authorizes 2000 Marines to serve as landing forces in the newly formed Continental Navy.Happy birthday United States
Marines!
November 10, 1975 – The SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior killing all 29 crewmen.The ship was loaded with 26,000 tons of iron ore and was the largest freighter on the Great Lakes. The water of the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Superior, are some of the roughest waters in the world during storms.
November 11, 1918 – World War I ends. The day was celebrated as Armistice Day. The armistice took place on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. There was never a peace agreement, just an armistice. The severe terms of surrender dictated to Germany would fester and lead to the rise of Nazism and World War II.
November 11– The
date is now celebrated as Veterans Day throughout the United States. Take time to honor all of the veterans who served and are serving day and night.
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 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
