Appeasement Emboldens Bad Actors - Best To Be Prepared
I
can't tell you how happy I am that President Trump is attacking Iran. It should have happened years ago. I remember back in 1979 when spineless Jimmy Carter was President and the American Embassy in Tehran was taken over by Islamic extremists who held 66 Americans captive for 444 days. Like most everyone else in the country, I was glued to the TV after work, watching it all unfold. It all happened because of policies of appeasement. The only reason the hostages were
released was because Ronald Reagan had been elected President and Iran knew he would attack them.
That was the beginning of the so-called Islamic Revolution that has led to thousands of deaths around the world. While Iran and it's proxies have attacked the United States, the policies of appeasement have led to the rise of other Islamic Jihadist groups like the one that attacked the World Trade Center. The only way to handle such groups is to attack and
destroy them. But there are limits, even on that idea. While the United States and Israel may be able to destroy Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, we still have the problem of thousands of embedded terrorist cells within the United States and around the world. The rest of the world can, and should, take care of itself.
Many countries like Great Britain gave up the right of individual citizens being able to defend themselves. In WWII,
thousands of Americans sent Great Britain rifles to defend themselves from a Nazi invasion, but what did the government do? They took those firearms and destroyed them. Now radical Islamic migrants are taking over their country and there is nothing they can do about it. Next time Great Britain needs rifles, no American should send them any.
It is the goal of radical Islam to destroy Western Civilization. To this point, last week there was an attack in
Austin, Texas, by an Islamic radical which killed 3 people and wounded 14. The talking heads on TV ask, as usual, what could the motivation for this heinous act be? Causing chaos, pain, fear, and destabilizing western civilization is the motivation... so how hard can this be? Radical terrorists and criminals don't think like we do. To defeat them we have to try to think like they do. And since they have no respect for human life, passing laws that apply to
law-abiding American Citizens mean nothing to them. In fact, it makes being a terrorist a lot easier.
We cannot defend ourselves from terrorists or criminal attacks with anything but a firearm. Whoever came up with the "run-hide-fight" idea was only trying to be politically correct and had no idea what it is like to be in a fight for your life. Fight them with what then? Are you going to give a would-be killer of you or your family a good sound thrashing
with a bookend or a curtain rod? I think not. You will end up dead underneath a table or in the closet. And the police can't help you. They are not there. It's only you and the terrorist. What if they attack in several places at once? Do you actually think the police could be in 10 or 12 places at once? You have to defend yourself. You only have second to prepare. Get a firearm and get trained. Get your family trained also. When
the enemy is at your door... it's too late.
The ISRA Academy is offering the 16 hour concealed carry class on March 21st and March 22nd.
Questions? Call the ISRA office
at (815) 635-3198 or E-Mail us at member@isra.org .
Get Ready For IGOLD 2026!
IGOLD 2026 is set for April 15, 2026, and we need you in Springfield!
The Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day (IGOLD) will be held at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield, Illinois. Doors open at 10:00 AM. This is your opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with thousands of law-abiding gun owners and send a clear message to
lawmakers:
OFFICIAL FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE FOR IGOLD!!
PLEASE CLICK THIS LINK SAY YOU ARE GOING AND SHARE TO ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!
This year matters more than ever. We are behind enemy lines. There is no question about that. When you are behind enemy lines, all
like-minded groups must stick together. This includes gun rights groups, hunters, gun collectors, gun shops, gun clubs, shooting ranges, FFLs, manufacturers and YOU.
The so-called "Responsibility in Firearm Legislation" Act (RIFL Act), a bill under consideration in the Illinois House and Senate, would eliminate the sales of new firearms
in Illinois by establishing an over-the-top licensing fee for manufacturers to be able to sell firearms to retailers (FFLs) in Illinois. The RIFL Act is the anti-gunner's dream. If this legislation were to pass, no manufacturer would participate in this scheme. No manufacturers means no merchandise, no more retailers, no more firearms sales. Remember when they said that they are not against hunters, shooting clubs,
individual law-abiding gun owners? Well, that was all a lie, all along. That is why IGOLD is so important this year and your participation is crucial!
Remember what Benjamin Franklin said (attributed to him during the signing of the Declaration of Independence): "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."
Our special guest this year is David McDermott, founder of McDermott Law Group. With over 27 years of courtroom experience and national recognition as a self-defense expert, David brings insight, energy, and a fighter’s spirit. You won’t want to miss his message.
IGOLD began in the early 1990's as Illinois State Rifle Association Lobby Day, and became IGOLD,
Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day, with input and assistance from other gun groups in Illinois. The goal was to put a face on Illinois gun owners. In 2013, more than 8,200 gun owners filled Springfield. One early attendee was Otis McDonald, whose US Supreme Court case, McDonald v Chicago, changed the nation, and helped pave the way for Illinois Conceal Carry. IGOLD proves what happens when we stand together.
Set up carpools. Organize your club. Sponsor a bus. Bring family and friends.
Politicians notice numbers. The media notices numbers. And numbers send a message.
We will support those who support our rights. We will oppose those who don’t. And we will never apologize for exercising the freedoms guaranteed to us.
Mark your calendar for April 15, 2026. Doors open at 10:00
AM. Springfield, Illinois.
Let’s make this the biggest IGOLD yet.
We teach safety. We stand for freedom. We never back down.
See you in Springfield!
To Join or Renew Your ISRA
Membership, CLICK HERE.
Tri-County Gun Club 25th Annual Open House
Come join our friends at Tri-County Gun Club at their 25 Annual Open House. They are offering the “NRA Women On Target Class” on Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3 (only 20 seats available each day), and there will be raffles of
over $5000 worth of firearms, reloading equipment, gift certificates and more! See the flyer below for more info or CLICK HERE. Should be a great time!
Legislative Update
We understand that the Governor is urging the Legislature to pass a bill to ban Glocks. Here we go again.
You can find the House calendar HERE and the Senate
calendar HEREto view all the legislative session deadlines.
• Schoenthal v. Raoul (public transportation CCL case) (7th Cir.) – Our Petition for Writ of Certiorari is currently pending at the Supreme Court.
We expect the Court will be considering our Petition - and whether to hear our case – soon.
As the Supreme Court of the United States considers the ISRA supported Schoenthal v Raoul lawsuit, crime keeps going up on public transportation. The Schoenthal case deals with Illinois prohibition on licensed concealed carry holders carrying on public transportation. Illinois law has turned public transportation into a "gun-free zone" which means it is an
unrestricted hunting ground for criminals. That hunting ground includes train stations and platforms, which are easy ambush spots and escape routes for criminals. Hopefully, the Supreme Court will not only take the case but rule in our favor.
• Brunke v. Raoul (challenge to "clear and present danger" statute) (N. D. Ill.) – Settled and dismissed with passage of HB 850, which creates expedited appeals for "clear and present danger"
challenges, as well as greater transparency for people bringing such appeals. ISRA is monitoriing the situation for any remaining issues caused by such revocations, including who gets to make them.
• 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.
• People v.
Brown (in-home FOID card requirement for firearm possession) (Ill. Supreme Ct.) – State dropped appeal in Illinois Supreme Court, so case is concluded with a dismissal of charges, and FOID issue will not be determined via this case. White County Order declaring FOID unconstitutional is still in place as "persuasive authority," but is not binding on other courts.
• Kuhlman v. Hines ("clear and present danger" civil rights
violation) (C.D. Ill.) – Summary Judgment Motion pending in District Court.
• Anderson v. Raoul - Surpressor challenge from Southern District of Illinois. District Court ruled for State, holding surpressors are not "arms" that receive Second Amendment protection. Case is pending at Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
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.
Not an ISRA member? Join the ISRA
and support 2A rights in Illinois - click HERE.
For Highland John B. LaBusier - jblphoto@yahoo.com - 618-246-6648 (before 9
PM)
Aurora Sportsman's Club Hosts “Bullseye 101” Class
Are you curious about Bullseye? Wonder what it is? Wonder what it takes to shoot it? The ASC Bullseye Department is hosting a "Bullseye 101" clinic on Sunday, March 29, 2026. This clinic is
intended for new-to-Bullseye shooters and will hopefully answer all your questions about the game, equipment, matches, and basic shooting process. The clinic will also include some range time to allow you to practice what you learn as well as get the feel of an actual bullseye match.
The clinic includes:
Classroom instruction: 12:00 - 2:00 in the Rifle/Pistol building
Range practice (optional): 2:00 - 4:00 on the Bullseye Range
This clinic is
free and open ASC members and invited guests. Shooters of all ages (over 10yrs) and skill levels are encouraged to attend.
When: 12:00 PM, Sunday, March 29, 2026
Where: West Side Garage (Rifle/Pistol Building)
Reservations: Register on the Club Calendar
Event site, or email your name, age (if under 21), and phone number to bullseye@aurorasc.org . Put "Bullseye 101 Clinic" in the subject line.
What to bring: ear/eye protection, pistol, and 100 rounds of ammo if planning to participate in range practice
The Illinois State Rifle Association is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization, donations to Illinois State Rifle Association are not
tax-deductible. 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
IGOLD Expert Grade M1 Garand Raffle
Drawing on April 24, 2026
9 Additional prizes include Glock 43 MOS (3), Glock 42 MOS (1), pistol cases (3), and rifle cases (2)!
The Illinois State Rifle Association is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization, donations to Illinois State Rifle Association are not tax-deductible. 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.
*Every Thursday (unless otherwise noted) ISRA Precision Air Pistol Training – Range 12 & Clubhouse – 5:30pm – 7:00pm
March 21 & 22 (Saturday & Sunday)
Concealed Carry Class – Range 11 & Clubhouse – 9:00am – 5:30pm
March 22 (Sunday) CCL Renewal & Qualification - Range 11 & Clubhouse – 9:00am – 12:00pm
March 29 (Sunday) Armed Women of America – Range 11 & Clubhouse – 9:00am – 11:00pm
May 2 & 3 (Saturday & Sunday) Massad Ayoob – MAG20 – Range 8 & Clubhouse – 9:00am – 5:30
June 12 - 14 (Friday,
Saturday & Sunday) Massad Ayoob – MAG30 – Range 11 – 8:00am – 6:00
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.
*** 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.
ISRA Members: Check the ISRA website for the Winter 2026 ShooterHERE.
March 5, 1770– The Boston Massacre occurs. A group of Patriots gathered and taunted British soldiers in front of the customs house in Boston. The soldiers fixed bayonets at the protesters who, in turn, responded by throwing snowballs. The confrontation escalated until musket shots were fired by the British into the crowd. The first American to be killed was Crispus Attucks, a black American man. In Carbondale, Illinois, there is a park named after Crispus
Attucks.
March 6, 1836– The Battle of the Alamo ended. 5000 Mexican troops overwhelmed the 200 defenders of the Alamo. Nearly all of the people in the Alamo were killed. Only a few children and some women survived the battle. The delay caused by the defenders of the Alamo gave the Texas Army time to organize. The massacre of the Texans there enraged the rest of the State. On April 21,1836, the
Texas Army and the Mexican Army would clash again, this time with different results.
March 7, 1862– In Northeast Arkansas, the Battle of Pea Ridge, also known as the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, was fought. This battle would determine the control of the Mississippi and Upper Mississippi Rivers. Although seldom spoken about, this was a very important battle. By 1863, the Union would control the
Mississippi and the Confederacy would be on the way to collapse.
March 7, 1876– Alexander Graham Bell patents the telephone. It is well known and I have spoken of
it before, but there were many along the way who kept improving the telephone. One of those innovators
was actress Hedy Lamar, who patented a frequency-hopping radio technology for the Allied effort in WWII,
which would later be used to improve mobile phones.
March 8, 1916– Mexican rebel leader, Poncho Villa, attacked the border town of Columbus, New Mexico. Villa sent 1500 of his men across the border to attack Columbus, which left 19 people dead and the town in flames. Remember the “Zimmerman Telegram” I talked about last week? Did you know that Mexico smuggled Nazi spies into the
United States during WWII? I'm just saying.
March 8, 1917– The Russian revolution began. The Russian Bolshevik Party becomes the Communist Party. We are still living with what happened, 108 years later.
March 9, 1974– Hiroo Onoda, a second lieutenant in the Imperial Japanese Army,
surrendered on this day in 1974, nearly 30 years after World War II ended. Hiding alone in the jungles of Lubang Island in the Philippines, he continued to fight due to his belief that the war was still ongoing. His story is notable for his refusal to accept Japan's surrender, dismissing various communications about the war's end as propaganda. Finally, he surrendered to his former commanding officer, Major Yoshimi Taniguchi, who traveled from Japan to formally relieve
him of duty. Following this, Onoda surrendered to Philippine forces the next day.
March 10, 1864– President Abraham Lincoln signed the commission officially appointing Ulysses S. Grant the rank of Lieutenant General of the United States Army. He was tasked with commanding all of the Union troops against the Confederacy, answering only to the
President.
March 11, 1888– A blizzard, nicknamed the “White Hurricane”, hit the East Coast. The blizzard lasted for 4 days and spread up to 55 inches of snow in some areas. Approximately 1 in 4 Americans lived in the area affected by the 1888 storm. Over 400 people lost their lives and 15,000 people were stranded on elevated trains. A day before, the temperature in the area was a balmy 50
degrees. Spring may have been in the air but everyone's expectations of an early Spring were premature.
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.
Mar. 7 – Mar. 8, 2026
Kankakee Gun & Sportsman's Show, Kankakee County Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL.
Mar. 8, 2026 Kane County Sportsman's Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St Charles, IL.
March 28 – March 29, 2026 Belleville Gun & Knife Show – Belle-Clair Fairgounds, Belleville, IL.
March 28 – March 29, 2026 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.
April 11 –
April 12, 2026 Chillicothe Sportsmen's Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen's Club House, Chillicothe, IL.
April 18, 2026 National Civil War, Military, and Collector Arms Show, DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton, IL.
April 19, 2026 Kane County Sportsman's Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St Charles, IL.
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. 12 – Sept. 13, 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.
Other Events
Mar. 14, 2026 Sandy Ford International Pistol Event, Sandy Ford Sportsman Club Indoor Range,720 S Bloomington St, Streator, Illinois
April 11, 2026 Sandy Ford International Pistol Event, Sandy Ford Sportsman Club Indoor Range, 720 S Bloomington St, Streator,
IL.
ISRA Town Hall Monthly Meetings
Come and meet fellow activists and learn the latest on protecting our Second Amendment Rights!
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
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 – Kenootz Pizza, 4659 147th St., Midlothian, IL; Doors open 6:30pm; 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
