In the heat of all the anti-gun activity in Springfield, it is important to remember the Illinois State Rifle Association is moving forward on the litigation front.  I am pleased to announce the suit against Cook County and their so-called assault weapons ban is again moving forward.  The case known as Wilson v Cook County will be argued before the Seventh Circuit on April 4^th, 2019.  For those who might not recall, the Seventh Circuit is a Federal Court with the next stop being the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS).

The hearing for the Permanent Restraining Order against Deerfield and their AW ban will be on March 22^nd, 2019.

Our counterparts in New York have filed a case known as New York Rifle & Pistol Association v New York.  New York City law limits a person’s right to own a firearm to inside their home.  The only place a gun owner can transport the licensed firearm is to one of seven ranges in New York City.  If the gun owner wanted to shoot a match with the gun or take it to his Uncle Fred’s farm, it would be illegal.  There is another license that allows a person who owns a business to transport the firearm home and back to the business and to the one of the seven ranges, not anywhere else like in the first example.  The reason this case is important is that it would establish a person’s right to have a firearm outside the home or business.  We have seen some attempts at the same limitations here in Illinois and in other states.  One of the anti-gun arguments has been that you have a Second Amendment right but only in your home.  That, of course, was never the real idea of the Second Amendment. 

Actor and personal acquaintance R. Lee Ermey was snubbed by the Oscars in their Memoriam Segment on Sunday night.   R. Lee Ermey started his movie career in “Apocalypse Now” and went on to star in “Full Metal Jacket” and appeared in several other films.  Ermey had a couple of TV shows, “Mail Call” and “Lock n’ Load”.  Ermey was a dedicated NRA Board Member.  R. Lee Ermey died in April
2018 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.  He was 100% Pro-American which is probably why Hollywood passed him over.

As I write this, no bills are moving in Springfield.  This could change quickly.  The $15.00 minimum wage bill is a good example.  It only took six legislative days to put that bill on the Governor’s desk, start to finish.  That is why the ISRA is in Springfield all the time.

Last weekend, Bill Potts and I were at the Bloomington Gun Show.  We gave four legislative updates.  Mary Mills and Laura Hack were there from our office to answer FOID and Concealed Carry renewal questions.  For those who don’t know, the ISRA will help those members, at no charge, who are having to renew either their FOID or ICCL.  Thanks for all those who attended.  The turnout was great.

On Saturday March 2^nd, 2019, we will have an ISRA townhall meeting in Quincy at the Eagles Arie, located at 3737 N 5^th Street.  There will be food available since the meeting will run over the lunch hour.  Please try to attend if you are in the area.  It would be a good time to join the ISRA if you are a non-member.  If you are reading this and are not an ISRA member, please join. 

All of this takes a great deal of money and members.  I want to thank all those who are members, all those who have recently joined and all of you that will join.  It is important to remember that the anti-gun crowd and the politicians who push their platform are not going to go away, and neither are we.  It is important to join and renew your membership so that we can stay in the fight.  Recently, people have been becoming life members or upgrading their memberships.  That is great although I understand not everyone can to do that.  I appreciate all of your support.

Thanks for being a member.

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

Saturday, March 2, 2019
Range Work Day
ISRA Concealed Carry Renewal Class

Sunday, March 3, 2019
Black Powder League

Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Air Rifle League & Practice

Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Air Pistol League & Practice

Saturday, March 9, 2019
ISRA Concealed Carry Renewal Class

Saturday, March 16, 2019
Basic Pistol Class for Women Only (Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club)

Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day (IGOLD)

Illinois Gun & Trade Shows

Decatur Gun Show
Decatur, IL – Decatur Conference Center & Hotel
Dates: March 9 & 10, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 8:00-4:00
             Sunday: 8:00-2:00
Admission: $6.00

Belleville Gun & Knife Show
Belleville, IL – Belle-Clair Expo Center
Dates: March 9 & 10, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $6.00

Northwestern Chicago Survival & Green Living Expo
Grayslake, IL – Lake County Fairgrounds
Dates: March 9 & 10, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-4:00
Admission: $14.00

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

Kankakee Gun Show
Kankakee, IL – Kankakee County Fairgrounds
Dates: March 16 & 17, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 8:00-4:00
             Sunday: 8:00-2:00
Admission: $6.00

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

Crown Point Gun Show
Crown Point, IN – Lake County Fairgrounds
Dates: March 23 & 24, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $5.00

Aledo Gun Show
Aledo, IL – Aledo VFW Hall
Dates: March 23 & 24, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 8:30-5:00
             Sunday: 8:30-3:00
Admission: $3.00

Joliet Moose Gun Show
Joliet, IL – Joliet Moose Lodge
Date: March 30, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 8:00-4:00
Admission: $6.00

Sauk Trail Gun Show
Princeton, IL – Bureau County Fairgrounds
Dates: March 30 & 31, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 8:30-4:30
             Sunday: 8:30-3:00
Admission: $2.00

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