Summer is upon us and the usual shooting activities are in full swing.  The National Rifle and Pistol Championships are fast approaching and local club matches have already begun.  The ISRA will be represented by teams in Pistol, Smallbore and High Power rifle.  Thanks to all of the team members, coaches and families that help support those shooting in the various competitions.  It is both team members and those who strive to be team members who carry the principals of good marksmanship and pass it along.  

For gun owners, this summer is going to be a critical time.  The attack on law-abiding gun owners seems to be endless, which means gun owners must be ready to fight back everywhere! Everything is at stake in both Illinois and the entire country.  In Illinois, every State Representative is up for election and about two thirds of the State Senators; all of the Constitutional Officers are up for election.  While all are important for protecting your gun rights, the most important of those is the Governor and Attorney General.  It is of utmost importance that Governor Rauner is re-elected.  He has stepped to the plate for gun owners like no other Governor, in my memory.

If you are a gun owner and not registered to vote, you are not helping.  Your vote counts more than ever before.  If you don’t vote pro-gun you are helping the other side.  Go register today. 

The ISRA/NRA Day went very well despite the incredible heat.  Thanks to all who came and all of the volunteers and companies who showed up to help.  About 800 people were there.  This is smaller than usual but the heat index hit 110 degrees.

Last week, I announced that Illinois has over 300,000 Concealed Carry Licensees and almost 2.3 million FOID card holders.  I have to tell you that I am pleased with the numbers; of course, more would be better.  If you have friends and family who don’t have a FOID card, ask them to get one.  If you are an ISRA member and need assistance with obtaining your FOID card, you may call the office (Monday – Friday, from 8:00am-4:00pm) to schedule an appointment with Mary.  Just to be clear, it takes two calls.  Your first phone call will consist of your instructions of what you will need to have ready for your appointment; your second call will be your initial appointment.  These are usually done on Tuesdays and Thursdays, after 10am.  Remember, this is a member benefit. 

The more concealed carry permits we have, the more the scum of America is forced to crawl back under their rocks. In Washington State, some miscreant entered a Walmart and started shooting.  There he was met not only by one, but two armed citizens, and one of them shot him Dead Right There (DRT).  Earlier, the offender had carjacked someone and critically wounded the driver.  The criminal is exactly where he needs to be - on a slab in the morgue.  The armed citizen not only saved the county and State of Washington a lot of money, he cleaned up the gene pool as well.

In New Jersey, a 13 year old boy was shot shortly after 2:30am while attending an all-night art fair.  Of course the immediate cry was for more gun control.  Umm, an all-night art fair?  What in the world are they teaching kids in New Jersey, or anyone else, for that matter?  Apparently, it is to stay up all night and roam the streets.  What New Jersey needs is not more gun control, but more idiot control.  They could start with the imbeciles that came up with the all night art fair idea.

Thanks for being a member.

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

Saturday, June 23, 2018
Project Appleseed
Intro to Low Light Home Defense Pistol, Carbine, Shotgun

Sunday, June 24, 2018
Project Appleseed
Glock League
ISRA Bullseye Match
ISRA Marksmanship League

Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Tuesday Irregular Rifle League

Wednesday, June 27, 218
Bench Rest League
Wednesday Night F-Class League

Thursday, June 28, 2018
ISRA Smallbore Rifle League
ISRA Smallbore F-Class League

Saturday, June 30, 2018
Active Shooter II (morning class & afternoon class)
Chief City Shooters/Joe Brown Vintage Garand Match
ISRA Marksmanship League
The Well Armed Woman

Saturday & Sunday, July 28 & 29, 2018
MTG Presents Advanced Handgun Skills

Illinois Gun & Trade Shows

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

Crown Point Gun Show
Crown Point, IN – Lake County Fairgrounds
Dates: July 14 & 15, 2018
Hours: Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm
             Sunday: 9:00am-3:00pm
Admission: $5.00

Bloomington Gun Show
Bloomington, IL – Interstate Center
Dates: July 21 & 22, 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!