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 23^rd and 24^th, 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 27^th.  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

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