Recently I have been getting calls from the media regarding so-called 3-D guns.  There are those that think a person can take a set of plans off the internet, download them to a 3-D printer or CNC machine, turn everything on and out will come a gun.  Even more interesting, I got one call from a media person who thought you could make ammunition the same way.  The answer is: uhhh… No. 

There are a few points you should know just in case this topic comes up around the water cooler.  It is not illegal for a person to make their own firearms.  People have been doing this for years.  There are some rules you must follow.  The gun you make must be for your own use.  You can’t sell it or even give it away because it has no serial number.  If you want to give it a serial number then you have to become a federally licensed firearm manufacturer.  You can’t make a firearm that is undetectable.  The firearm must be 50% or more metal.  You cannot make a firearm that qualifies for the National Firearms Act prohibited list - no full auto, no artillery pieces, no mortars, you know all the really fun stuff.  There are prohibitions contrary to what the anti-gunners and fellow travelers think and the media espouse.  In certain parts of the world people are making firearms in caves and huts that are not very pretty but they work, mostly.  John M. Browning hand carved wooden models of his firearms before he turned them into metal.  This is not new.

What we really have here is an attack on free speech by the leftists and the media.  They don’t want that kind of knowledge out there.  They only want what they want out there.  Free speech isn’t free unless you own control of the media.  Otherwise, you have to fight for it. 

The Grand National Shotgun Championships are in full swing in Sparta, Illinois.  Thousands of trap shooters from across the United States, Canada and a few other countries converge on the World Shooting Complex (WSC) in Sparta each year for the greatest spectacle in the shooting sports.  Illinois should be proud to host this great event put on by the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA).

The youth division of the ATA is known as the AIM program.  Each year the ISRA helps sponsor the 3-Gun event just before the Grand Nationals.  This year 1800 young people took part in that event.  I want to thank all of the ISRA volunteers who so generously gave of their time to help put this event on.  A special thanks goes to Bart Carson of the WSC and to Tom Fahrenbach for their special efforts to make this event happen.

The National Rifle and Pistol Championships are winding down but the good news is still coming in.  In Smallbore, our own Jim Miller won the Senior Prone National Championship and Paula Lambert won the Intermediate Senior National Championship in 3-Postion (standing, kneeling and prone). 

In High Power, the Elihu Root Team is made up of the six top civilian shooters and the captain and coach of the top civilian team.  The ISRA won four out of the six shooting positions and the team captain and coach slots.  Congratulations to Team Captain Konrad Powers, Team Coach John Holliger, both of whom are top team shooters.  ISRA members Tim Klauer and Thomas Power are also on the team.  Great job!

Elihu Root, for those who may have missed that chapter in history, was a really heavy hitter in the late 19th and early 20th century.  He was both Secretary of State and later, Secretary of War under Theodore Roosevelt.  His accomplishments would fill a book.  He was a big supporter of Civilian Marksmanship.

The ISRA Range will host the NRA Basic Rifle Course on September 30, 2018.  This course is the prerequisite for the NRA Rifle Instructor Course.  This is an eight-hour class with live fire qualification.  Check our website calendar for details.

By now, last weekend’s shootings in Chicago have slipped from the front pages and off the 6 o’clock news.  Even so, the city is bracing for another weekend of gang activity.  As I have repeatedly said, the problem is the gangs and the drugs that fuel them.  I talked to a retired Chicago policeman Tuesday and he reported seeing drug deals on the street while driving to pick up a couple of relatives.  If he can see them, why can’t others?   Your guess is as good as mine.  The understaffed Chicago Police Department said last weekend’s shootings are gang related and so will next weekend’s shootings, and the next and the next.  This is more than a police department problem, this is a culture problem.  One community activist stated that they want to spread the pain around.  That is the excuse for shutting down streets and demonstrating in front of Wrigley Field.  Instead of running around the city and spreading the pain around why don’t you folks stay home and clean up your own neighborhood.  It is not as much fun, you won’t get on TV and you will not have 15 minutes of fame, but it will make a difference which is what everyone wants-isn’t it?

A bunch of FOID cards are coming up for renewal soon.  This is the first batch of the 10-year cards to renew.  If you or anyone you know wants to get a FOID card, I would do it now because things may get hectic later.  Remember: if you are a member and need assistance with your FOID, call Mary at the ISRA office (815.635.3198) for an appointment; she will give you specific instructions on what you will need.

The numbers are in:
FOID - 2,287,525
ICCL - 307,311

Thanks for being a member.

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

Saturday, August 11, 2018
Homeland Security Active Shooter Course
Project Appleseed

Sunday, August 12, 2018
Project Appleseed

Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Tuesday Night Irregular Rifle League

Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Bench Rest League
Wednesday Night F-Class League

Thursday, August 16, 2018
ISRA Smallbore Rifle League
ISRA Smallbore F-Class League

Saturday, August 18, 2018
Intro to Home Defense with Carbine

Sunday, August 19, 2018
ISRA Bullseye Match & Combat Match
Springfield Match
ISRA Marksmanship League

Illinois Gun & Trade Shows

New Berlin Gun Show
New Berlin, IL – Sangamon County Fairgrounds
Dates: August 18 & 19, 2018
Hours: Saturday: 9:00am-4:00pm
            Sunday: 9:00am-3:00pm
Admission: $4.00

Belleville Gun & Knife Show
Belleville, IL – Belle-Clair Expo Center
Dates: August 25 & 26, 2018
Hours: Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm
            Sunday: 9:00am-3:00pm
Admission: $6.00

Lake County Gun & Sportsman Show
Antioch, IL – Antioch VFW
Date: August 26, 2018
Hours: Saturday: 8:00am-2:00pm
Admission: $7.00

Check out ISRA's website at www.isra.org! Tell us what you think!