ISRA Thursday Bulletin - January 24, 2019
Published: Thu, 01/24/19
ISRA Thursday Bulletin - January 24, 2019
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Executive Directors Message
Martin Luther King is a true American hero. His resolve and conviction transformed our nation for the better. There are not many people willing to put their own lives at risk for what they believe but that is exactly what Martin Luther King did. Throughout his life, the threat of violence hung over Martin Luther King. Everywhere he went, there were threats of violence and his house was even bombed in 1956. Despite the threat of violence, Martin Luther King famously advocated for non-violent protest. He believed that the only way to change hearts and minds was to show kindness in the face of persecution. But even though he believed in non-violent protest, it does not mean he was against the idea of self-defense. After the bombing of his home, he applied for a concealed carry permit in his home state of Alabama, according to UCLA Law Professor Adam Winkler’s 2011 book, “Gunfight.” In the face of vicious, violent attacks, Martin Luther King wanted what all Americans want – the freedom to protect his family from harm. Unfortunately, he was denied the concealed carry permit simply because of his race. What happened to Martin Luther King was wrong. The rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution should be extended to all Americans regardless of race, gender or creed. We have a safer, better world because of Martin Luther King. He gave his life to ensure that all Americans were able to exercise their rights guaranteed by the Constitution. There are many lessons to learn from the life of Martin Luther King, but one of them is the importance of preserving and protecting the rights our Constitution guarantees for all Americans. The Illinois State Rifle Association will continue to stand up for these rights and will continue to be inspired by heroes of the past like Martin Luther King. I am at the Shooting, Hunting & Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT SHOW) in Las Vegas, Nevada. While most view events like this as a great time for those who attend them, and while it is a great time, it is exhausting. There are 14 miles of aisles. You are walking or standing on concrete covered with a not thick enough carpet. The SHOT SHOW is like many other gun events, after you have been going for a while, it is a gun folks family reunion. In the coming weeks I will be reporting on some of the latest developments in firearms, optics, gadgets and gizmos that will benefit the shooter. The inventiveness of the people in the gun world is truly amazing, I have to say. There will be a number of new manufacturers there this year, many of whom really enhance old ideas. I will let you know what I find that we just cannot live without. The Governor’s signing into law SB337 had better be a wake-up call to those gun owners who thus far have chosen to sit on the sideline and let others carry the load. The ISRA is standing between you and the anti-gun forces. There is no question that more attacks will come. That means the ISRA has to become bigger and stronger. There is only one way to do that and that is to increase membership. At the Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, to be held on February 23rd and 24th, I will be there along with William Potts. We will give a short seminar regarding the current legislative situation each morning and afternoon. If you are an ISRA Member, you will receive a dollar off your entry fee. We will also be signing up new members and renewing memberships and will be giving a dollar or two off new memberships and renewals. Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day (IGOLD) will be held on March 27th. For those who wish to print off the IGOLD poster, you can click on this link. Thanks for being a member. Upcoming Events: ISRA Calendar For more information, visit www.isra.org Saturday, January 26, 2019 The Well Armed Woman Tuesday, January 29, 2019 Air Rifle League & Practice Saturday, February 2, 2019 ISRA Concealed Carry Renewal Class Range Work Day Basic Pistol Class for Women Only (at Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club) Sunday, February 3, 2019 Illinois Concealed Carry Renewal Class Thursday, February 7, 2019 Illinois Concealed Carry Renewal Class Illinois Gun & Trade Shows Kankakee Gun Show Kankakee, IL – Kankakee County Fairgrounds Dates: January 26 & 27, 2019 Hours: Saturday: 8:00-4:00 Sunday: 8:00-2:00 Admission: $6.00 Sauk Trail Gun Show Princeton, IL – Bureau County Fairgrounds Dates: January 26 & 27, 2019 Hours: Saturday: 8:30-4:30 Sunday: 8:30-3:00 Admission: $2.00 Crown Point Gun Show Crown Point, IN – Lake County Fairgrounds Dates: January 26 & 27, 2019 Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00 Sunday: 9:00-3:00 Admission: $5.00 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! 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