Thursday Bulletin – April 23, 2026

Executive Director's Message

Richard Pearson

A Good Day In Springfield  - IGOLD 2026

I want to thank all those who came to IGOLD 2026.  The crowd was much better than last year.  Next year, we need even more people.  David McDermott and Irena Stefanovski did a great job explaining Illinois' Laws.  I also want to thank Darren Bailey for his ferocious support of the Second Amendment.  Senator David Syverson and Representative C. D. Davidsmeyer gave great presentations as well.  The march to the Lincoln Steps was once again led by Tom Shafer who always does a great job. We had a large number of legislators speak at the Lincoln Steps.  IGOLD 2026 went very well.

We are not "out of the woods” yet, as the saying goes.  We have two veto sessions and a "Lame Duck" session to contend with.  All of these sessions will happen after the General Election in November. But, although these are perilous times, the ISRA will be there, continuing to defend your gun rights!

Legislative Update 

You can find downloadable PDF versions of the House calendar HERE and the Senate calendar HERE to view all the legislative session deadlines.

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The ISRA maintains a list of the most important bills under consideration in the Illinois State Legislature; the most current list is always the ISRA Legislation Page.   Click and follow along! 

Thank you for standing with the ISRA and for defending the rights of law-abiding Illinois gun owners.

Not an ISRA member?  Join the ISRA and support 2A rights in Illinois - CLICK HERE.

Litigation Update 

Two More 2A Cases Make Their Supreme Court Conference Debut On April 17th

Excerpt from bearingarms.com article by Cam Edwards | April 16, 2026 | 

Two cases have been discussed by the justices and might possibly be granted cert (or denied) by Monday, April 20, 2026.

The first case, U.S. v. Peterson, is a challenge to the National Firearms Act's restrictions on suppressors. Specifically, the attorneys for plaintiff George Peterson are asking SCOTUS to address two questions: First, whether the National Firearms Act’s taxation-and-registration scheme for covered firearms can be justified as a licensing law, and second, whether the National Firearms Act’s taxation-and-registration scheme violates the Second Amendment with respect to firearm suppressors.

The Trump administration waived its right to reply to the cert petition in this case. Trump's DOJ, however, has argued that, while suppressors may be protected "arms" under the Second Amendment, the $200 tax (which has now been zeroed out by the One Beautiful Bill Act) and registration requirement (which is still in place) represent "modest" burdens on our right to keep and bear arms.

The plaintiffs have made strong arguments about why that is not the case, but they weren't able to prevail in the fairly conservative and 2A-friendly Fifth Circuit, which treated the taxation-and-registration scheme as akin to a shall-issue-licensing law.

The other Second Amendment case making its first Friday appearance in conference is Gardner v. Maryland, which poses three questions to the Court:

1. Does Maryland’s prohibition on carrying a handgun without a state permit, as applied to an interstate traveler with a valid Virginia concealed carry permit who displayed a loaded firearm in self-defense against an assailant’s vehicular assault and physical advance, violate the Second Amendment under New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen... by lacking a historical tradition of disarming law-abiding citizens in such circumstances?

2. Did the Maryland courts’ reliance on a video showing the assailant’s calm demeanor upon police arrival, without his testimony or other witnesses to corroborate the incident, while disregarding Petitioner’s evidence of the assailant’s PIT maneuver, vehicular coercion, and physical advance, violate the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause by denying Petitioner a meaningful opportunity to present a self-defense claim?

3. Does Maryland’s refusal to recognize Petitioner’s valid Virginia concealed carry permit for interstate travel violate the Full Faith and Credit Clause, U.S. Const, art. IV, § 1, or the Firearms Owners’ Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 926A), despite the firearm being loaded and Pennsylvania’s non-recognition of the permit at the time of the incident?

Eva Marie Gardner was originally serving as her own attorney here, but had since employed Pete Patterson to now represent her, increasing the odds of the justices granting cert.

The Second Amendment is not a second-class right, says SCOTUS, but it's the only right that can be curtailed just by crossing a state line. Why shouldn't my Virginia carry license allow me to possess a concealed handgun in Maryland, just like my Virginia driver's license allows me to take my vehicle onto Maryland streets?

Is it enough that most states (including Hawaii, thanks to the efforts of Alan Beck) allow non-residents to apply for a carry permit or license? Absolutely not.....

Imagine if every state in the Union had those kinds of requirements in order to get a non-resident permit. As it is and even with various state-level reciprocity agreements, it would take thousands of dollars and thousands of miles traveled in order to be able to carry in the vast majority of states. We don't have to spend a dime beyond the cost of transportation if we want to exercise our First, Fourth, or Fifth Amendment rights while visiting a state other than the one we call home. Why should our Second Amendment rights be treated any differently? And how can they be treated differently without them being turned into the second-class rights SCOTUS says they're not?

To read the full article with extended opinion on the topic by Cam Edwards,  CLICK HERE.

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ISRA AS PLAINTIFF

•   Meyer v. Raoul (18-20 yr CCL cases) (S.D. Ill.) - Summary judgment filings are filed and awaiting a ruling.

•   Miller v. Smith (foster care/home day care firearm prohibitions) (C.D. Ill.) – Summary Judgment Motions pending in District Court after Seventh Circuit remand.

•   Harrel v. Raoul (AWB/LCM case) (7th Cir.) – Awaiting ruling from Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

ISRA SUPPORTING

•   Schoenthal v. Raoul (public transportation CCL case) (7th Cir.) – Our Petition for Writ of Certiorari was denied by the Supreme Court. Judgment will shortly be entered for the State.

•   Atkinson v. Bondi (federal felon restoration) (N.D.Ill.) – Currently pending in Seventh Circuit, while awaiting implementation of DOJ restoration program which may resolve issue. Opening Brief due May 1, 2026.

•   Kuhlman v. Hines ("clear and present danger" civil rights violation) (C.D. Ill.) – Summary Judgment Motion pending in District Court.

•   Anderson v. Raoul - Suppressor challenge from Southern District of Illinois. District Court ruled for State, holding suppressors are not "arms" that receive Second Amendment protection. Case is pending at Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

•   L.P.D. v. E.K. - Litigation regarding Firearm Protective Order brought against minor (under 10-years-old) child, while simultaneously taking FOID and firearm of parent who was not accused of any wrongdoing. Matter currently pending in circuit court.

To follow the cases the ISRA is tracking, visit the ISRA Litigation page - CLICK HERE.

ISRA Memorial Brick Fundraiser – Honor Your Mentors

DEADLINE APPROACHING! -   May 1, 2026

We all have people in our lives who have influenced our lives in a positive manner, we do not want them forgotten. My father is a perfect example, he taught me how to shoot, hunt, and many other life lessons.  He was a WWII veteran with two purple hearts, I did not want him to be forgotten.

To remember people like my father and those in your life that have made a positive impact over the years the ISRA has established a Memorial Brick Project.  The memorial bricks are laid out around the flagpole at the ISRA Range in Bonfield, IL, which is located near Kankakee, IL.

Please look over the attached flier and consider buying a brick for someone who has made a difference in your life.

For more info or to order your commemorative brick today, CLICK HERE.

“Money can only buy happiness if you spend it on freedom.  Join the ISRA today.”  ~ Richard Pearson

Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy AOS Handgun Raffle

9MM  /  5” Bull Barrel  /  AOS Plates (Optic Ready)  /  Comes With 2 Magazines

Drawing on June 16, 2026 – Entries must be postmarked by June 9, 2026

Ticket prices:
1 Ticket – $20
3 Tickets – $50
8 Tickets – $100
25 Tickets – $250

All funds raised go to fight for your 2A rights in Illinois!

For more Information, CLICK HERE.

The Illinois State Rifle Association is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization, donations to Illinois State Rifle Association are not tax-deductible. Winner of the firearm must comply with all Federal, State and local laws.  Prize must be claimed within 90 days of drawing.

For other questions on this raffle, contact:
ISRA – PO Box 637 – Chatsworth, IL 60921
(815) 635-3198 or E-Mail: member@isra.org

“I am frequently asked if the ISRA sells our membership list.  The answer is absolutely not.”  ~ Richard Pearson

Education & Training @ ISRA Range, Bonfield, IL.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to start time.

NOTICE: Kevin Kanaski – Mag 20 Class Coming up in May!

(See the ISRA  Academy Section above for more info)

*Every Thursday (unless otherwise noted)  ISRA Precision Air Pistol Training – Range 12 & Clubhouse – 5:30pm – 7:00pm

April 25 (Saturday)  CCL Renewal – Range 11 & Clubhouse – 1:00pm – 4:30pm

April 26 (Sunday)  Range Safety Officer Class – Clubhouse  – 8:30am – 6:00pm

May 2 (Saturday)  Range Work Day – 8:00am – 4:00pm

May 2 & 3 (Saturday & Sunday) Kevin Kanaski – MAG20 – Range 8 & Clubhouse – 9:00am – 5:30

June 12 - 14 (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) David Maglio – MAG30 – Range 11 – 8:00am – 6:00

August 20 - 23 (Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun) Massad Ayoob – MAG40 – World Shooting & Recreational Complex – 8:30am – 7:00

August 26 - 30 (Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun) Massad Ayoob – MAG80 – ISRA Range, Bonfield (more info TBA)

*** 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.

"The Illinois State Rifle Association is the home of marksmanship in Illinois"

ISRA Members: To view the

Illinois Shooter - Winter 2026, click HERE.

If you would like to donate to us, please click HERE.
Thank you for your support!
 

Tidbits 

April 23, 1914 – Wrigley Field (then known as Weeghman Park) hosted its first major-league baseball game.  The stadium later became the home of the Chicago Cubs.

April 24, 1800 – The Library of Congress was established. President John Adams approved legislation to appropriate $5000 for the purpose of purchasing books and maps for the library.

April 24, 1945 – President Harry S. Truman learned the details of the Manhattan Project, the plan to create the atomic bomb.  Prior to that, Truman had been kept in the dark.

April 25, 1959 – One of the largest civil engineering feats ever undertaken, the St. Lawrence Seaway officially opened, linking the Atlantic Ocean with the Great Lakes.

April 26, 1865 – John Wilkes Booth died 12 days after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.  Booth had been discovered hiding in a barn on the Garrett Farm. The barn was set on fire and Booth was shot.  He was pulled from the barn but lived only three more hours.

April 27, 2004 – The World War II Monument opened in Washington D.C.  It is a fitting tribute to the 16 million Americans who served in the armed service during World War II and the millions more who supported them at home.  If you ever get a chance, you should visit the monument.

April 28, 1945 – Benito Mussolini is executed.  Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini, “Il Duce,” who, after a series of military misadventures, became unpopular even among his fellow Fascists, was captured while trying to flee Italy and was executed on this day in 1945.  Not everybody has a great day, everyday.

April 29, 1945 – American troops liberated tens of thousands of inmates at Nazi Germany's Dachau concentration camp. 

April 30, 1945 – Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his bunker. Good riddance.

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.

May 16 – May 17, 2026   Kankakee Gun & Sportsman's Show, Kankakee County Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL.

June 19 – June 21, 2026   Pecatonica Gun Show, Winnebago County Fairgrounds, Pecatonica, IL.

Sept. 19 – Sept. 20, 2026   Chillicothe Sportsmen's Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen's Club House, Chillicothe, IL.

Sept. 19, 2026   National Civil War, Military, and Collector Arms Show, DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton, IL.

Oct. 24 - 25, 2026   Belleville Gun & Knife Show, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville, IL.

Oct. 24 - 25, 2026   Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.

Nov. 7 - 8, 2026  Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL.

Nov. 28 - 29, 2026   Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.

Dec. 6 – Dec. 7, 2026   Chillicothe Sportsmen's Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen's Club House, Chillicothe, IL.

ISRA Town Hall Monthly Meetings

Come and meet fellow activists and learn the latest on protecting our Second Amendment Rights!

Livingston County – 4th Tuesday of the month – South Post Guns, 104 Livingston Rd., Streator, IL; Social half-hour from 6:00pm – 6:30pm; Meeting at 6:30pm.

Madison 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

Northwest Suburban - 3rd Tuesday of the month – Golden Corral, 1591 S Randall Rd., Algonquin, IL; Doors open 6pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm

South Suburban/Cook County - 2nd Thursday of the month – New Location: Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant, 14459 LaGrange Rd, Orland Park, IL; Doors open 6:00pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm

Will County - 3rd Wednesday of the month – Silver Dollar Restaurant, 422 E. Mississippi Ave., Elwood, IL; Doors open 6pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm

“Money can only buy happiness if you spend it on freedom.  Join the ISRA today.”  ~ Richard Pearson

“I am frequently asked if the ISRA sells our membership list.

The answer is absolutely not.” ~ Richard Pearson

Stand Strong &
Thank you for being a member!

If you are not an ISRA member,  join today!

Donate: https://isra.org/support-us/

Visit www.isra.org

Upcoming Meetings: https://isra.org/isra-activities-and-events/

Upcoming Range Events: https://isra.org/the-range/#range-calendar