We are now seeing bills introduced that I call the gems of January.  These bills clearly indicate where the anti-gun mob would like to go.  As I write this, some bills have only been filed with the Clerk of the House or Senate so they have not gone anywhere yet.  The clerk will send the bills to the House Rule Committee or the Senate Assignments Committee.  A bill’s first stop is in the House Rules Committee or the Senate Assignments Committee.  These Committees will decide which Committee in the respective legislative chambers will hear the first reading of the bills.  It is here that witness slips will be submitted, testimony is heard and Amendments offered.  A bill may be passed out of Committee and sent to whichever chamber or held in committee, or if it fails, that is the end of it.  I might as well tell you that the gun bills will go to mostly anti-gun Committees.  Elections have consequences. 

Some of the gems that are out there are House Bill 888 (HB 888).  HB 888 is an anti-gun social media bill.  This bill is offered by newly elected State Representatives Daniel Didech (D-59 Buffalo Grove).  This bill requires the Illinois State Police (ISP) to conduct a search of a person’s social media accounts before issuing or renewing their FOID card.  You can also have your FOID card revoked if the ISP finds something they disagree with.  This bill would make Adolf Hitler proud - No 1st Amendment Rights, No 2nd Amendment Rights and no 4th Amendment Rights.  When the Framers of the United States Constitution wrote it and the first 10 Amendments, they knew people like Representative Didech would come along.  I do not want to construe anything that would suggest the ISP wants anything to do with this bill.  My guess is that when the folks at the ISP read this, the sales of Rolaids and Tums spiked in Springfield.  Maybe all new State Representatives should be required to read the United States Constitution before taking office.

The next gem is SB107, the latest rendition of a so-called assault weapons ban.  This bill is sponsored by long time anti-gunner Julie Morrison (D-29 Deerfield) and co-sponsored by Senators Jacqueline Collins (D-16 Chicago) and Antonio Munoz (D-1 Chicago).  This bill contains bans on manufacture, sales, registration and possession unless registered with the ISP.  Registration is the first step to confiscation.  We are opposed to SB107.  There are more bills out there and more will be introduced.  This is just the beginning.

The ISRA will, of course, fight these bills and fight them in court if we have to.  If the anti-gun side ever looks outside their ideological ivory tower, they will see more and more of these bills are being challenged in court, the last stop being the United States Supreme Court.  The attitude of the anti-gun side has been we will pass these bills and if you want your rights back you will have to sue for them.  We will.  Part of their strategy is to financially break the pro-gun side and groups like the ISRA.  That is why your membership and donations are so important.  This is going to be a long and tough fight.

Let s talk about something more fun like the new stuff at the SHOT Show.  Every year I go there to find something new that catches my eye.  This year it wasn’t a new firearm, but a new cartridge.  There are all kinds of souped-up 6mms that are all great long-range target or hunting rounds.  The one that I was most intrigued by was the new Winchester 350 Legend.  This is a straight walled hunting cartridge that has white tail deer and pig written all over it.  It has more 200-yard energy than a 30-30, 300 blackout or .223.  It has 20% less recoil and more penetration than .243 Winchester.  The bullet types include FMJ, Power Max Bonded, Soft Point and a polymer tipped bullet known as the XP.  It looks like this round will fit in an AR15 platform rifle.  The magazine would probably have to be modified, especially for the 350 Legend because of the shoulder, but what a great pig gun this would make.  It would also be a great home defense round.  I fired the 350 out of a bolt action rifle and it was very pleasant to shoot.  I was able to hit a steel target at 200 yards with no trouble using a make shift rest.  I recommend anyone interested in the uses for this round that I mentioned check it out.

Thanks for being a member.

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

Saturday, February 2, 2019
ISRA Concealed Carry Renewal Class
Basic Pistol For Women Only (Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club)
Range Work Day

Sunday, February 3, 2019
Illinois Concealed Carry Renewal Class

Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Air Rifle League & Practice

Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Air Pistol League & Practice

Thursday, February 7, 2019
Illinois Concealed Carry Renewal Class

Saturday, February 9, 2019
The Well Armed Woman
New RSO Orientation

Illinois Gun & Trade Shows

Will County Gun Show
Peotone, IL – Will County Fairgrounds
Dates: February 2 & 3, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 8:00-4:00
             Sunday: 8:00-2:00
Admission: $6.00

Mattoon Gun Show
Mattoon, IL – Cross County Mall
Dates: February 9 & 10, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 8:00-4:00
             Sunday: 8:00-2:00
Admission: $6.00

Aledo Gun Show
Aledo, IL – Aledo VFW Hall
Dates: February 9 & 10, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 8:30-4:00
             Sunday: 8:30-2:00
Admission: $3.00

Kane County Sportsman’s Show
St Charles, IL – Kane County Fairgrounds
Date: February 10, 2019
Hours: Sunday: 7:30-1:30
Admission: $5.00

Regional Firearms Auction
Rock Island, IL – Rock Island Auction Company
Dates: February 14-17, 2019

Illiana Gun Show
Danville, IL – Knights of Columbus Hall
Dates: February 16 & 17, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-4:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $3.00

Highland Gun & Knife Show
Highland, IL – Lindendale Park
Dates: February 16 & 17, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $6.00

New Berlin Gun Show
New Berlin, IL – Sangamon County Fairgrounds
Dates: February 16 & 17, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-4:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $5.00

McHenry County Gun Show
Woodstock, IL – McHenry County Fairgrounds
Date: February 17, 2019
Hours: Sunday: 8:00-1:00
Admission: $5.00

Kendall County Gun Show
Yorkville, IL – Kendall County Fairgrounds
Dates: February 23 & 24, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 8:00-4:00
             Sunday: 8:00-2:00
Admission: $6.00

Bloomington Gun & Knife Show
Bloomington, IL – Interstate Center
Dates: February 23 & 24, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $6.00

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