The 2018 Spring Session is now over and, as expected, a very bad Gun Dealer Licensing bill (SB337) was pounded through the General Assembly in the closing hours.  Now we will have to wait to see what the Governor does.  He may veto the whole bill or Amendatory Veto part of the bill.  If he does either one, the bill will be held by the Secretary of State until the Fall Veto Session.  The first Veto Session will be held on November 13, 14, and 15; the second Veto Session will be the week after Thanksgiving, on November 27, 28, and 29.  Election Day is Tuesday, November 6^th.  I am sure you have already noticed that both veto sessions are after the election.  We wouldn’t want to hold anyone accountable, would we!

Under the category “Why we don’t want to register our guns”, a California farmer, Jeffrey Kirschenmann tried to comply with the state’s new registration scheme and got his home raided for his trouble.  Not only did he lose the semi-auto rifle he was trying to register, he lost all of his other firearms too.  Mr. Kirschenmann was trying to register his firearm legally and sent pictures to the California Department of Justice (CDOJ).  Based on those pictures, the CDOJ determined the gun must be illegal and raided his home.  These CDOJ people really know their stuff if they can determine if a gun complies with their law by a photograph - NOT!  His case is now in court.

On June 16^th, the ISRA/NRA Open House will be held once again.  I am amazed at how fast these events come around; it seems a year only has about 265 days in it anymore.  Never the less, we are ready, although we could use more volunteers.  The ISRA/NRA Open House is from 10am to 4pm.  The biggest change this year is that parking in on the east side of Warner Bridge Road.  This means you will not have to cross the road, making it safer for everyone.  If you are thinking about joining the range, this will be an ideal time for you to come and see the facility.

Yesterday, 74 years ago, was June 6, 1944.  By this time on June 7, 1944, the Longest Day was over and the beginning of the end for Adolf Hitler, and the Third Reich was underway.  There were certainly difficult times ahead but the end was in sight.  My father was a veteran of the Pacific Theater and had a couple of Purple Hearts to show for it.  I spent a lot of time growing up in the Chatsworth, Illinois American Legion Hall.  As I get older I now understand more of what I witnessed.  The bond between these men was stronger than with many of their own family members.  My dad and the men in his outfit would drive miles to see each other once or twice a year.  I was educated by teachers who were veterans in either WWII or the Korean War.  Those who had not served still lived through that time and understood what it was like to live with daily trepidation.   Everyone in town would watch the Telegraph Office.  The last thing anyone wanted to see was the Station Agent locking the door and leaving with a message.   Mothers, fathers and wives peered through the curtains in hopes that the Station Agent would drive on by, but sometimes he did not go by.

An informal but effective support network of friends, neighbors and relatives stood by.  These were terrible times and everyone understood what sacrifice meant.  These people were the Greatest Generation but their voices are getting fewer and fewer.  It is important that we reflect on what those people went through; even though we will never know their experience, they gave us the modern United States.  We must remember their extraordinary accomplishments: the principles that held them together that they would like us to pass on to the next generation.

Thanks for being a member.

Upcoming Events: ISRA Calendar
For more information, visit www.isra.org

Wednesday – Sunday, June 6-10, 2018
MTG presents Massad Ayoob MAG-80

Thursday, June 7, 2018
ISRA Smallbore Rifle League
ISRA Smallbore F-Class League

Sunday, June 10, 2018
Joe Brown Highpower League

Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Tuesday Night Irregular Rifle League

Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Bench Rest League
Wednesday Night F-Class League

Saturday, June 16, 2018
ISRA/NRA Range Open House


Illinois Gun & Trade Shows

Kankakee Gun Show
Kankakee, IL – Kankakee County Fairgrounds
Dates: June 9 & 10, 2018
Hours: Saturday: 8:00am-4:00pm
             Sunday: 8:00am-2:00pm
Admission: $6.00

Crown Point Gun Show
Crown Point, IN – Lake County Fairgrounds
Dates: June 9 & 10, 2018
Hours: Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm
             Sunday: 9:00am-3:00pm
Admission: $5.00

Pecatonica Gun Show
Pecatonica, IL – Winnebago County Fairgrounds
Dates: June 22 through 24, 2018
Hours: Friday: 4:00pm-9:00pm
             Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm
             Sunday: 9:00am-3:00pm

Belleville Gun & Knife Show
Belleville, IL – Belle-Clair Expo Center
Dates: June 23 & 24, 2018
Hours: Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm
             Sunday: 9:00am-3:00pm
Admission: $6.00
 
Check out ISRA's website at www.isra.org! Tell us what you think!