IGOLD 2019 is now nestled into the history as one of the best we have ever had.  I want to thank all those who attended, the fabulous volunteers, staff, bus sponsors and organizations who helped make IGOLD 2019 a great event.  Our keynote speaker, David Keene, did a wonderful job and will be a tough act to follow.  This year’s March to the Capitol was a spectacle to behold.  The March was a sea of gold that seemed to flow down Capitol Avenue.  We were aided by beautiful sunny weather and temperature in the 60s.  There is no question that things went well for us this year. 

With what is being proposed and talked about in the Illinois General Assembly, IGOLD needed to be great; items like ammunition taxes, magazine bans, semi-auto bans and fingerprinting for FOID card holders, Illinois gun owners have a lot on the table.  Gun owners needed to send a message and we Did!
It was reported that about 7000 people were in attendance. 

Spring is here and close behind is tick season.  A tick bite is nothing to be taken lightly.  I know of one person who died of complications of a tick bite and others who have suffered for years.  Last year, I was bitten by a tick, identified it and my doctor treated me immediately.  If you are bitten by a tick and can get the tick out, keep it for identification; it helps convince the medical folks you need treatment.  Ticks carry a battery of nasty diseases including, Lyme Disease, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, Alpha-gal, Bartonellosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Powassan Virus.  You can get more than one of these from a tick bite.  A tick bite will make your life miserable if it doesn’t kill you.  Ticks can be found in the grass, on weeds and can drop from trees.  It is important that you use a bug spray with plenty of deet.  Ticks will crawl up your pant legs, up your sleeves, down your shirt and anywhere they can get into.
 
A few years ago, I was bitten by a brown recluse spider but didn’t realize it.  I thought I had the flu and didn’t discover the bite for two days.  I was bitten in the right leg below the knee.  I had a hole in my leg about the size of a nickel.  The doctor treated me right away but the venous valves in my right leg are permanently damaged.
 
In a case known as People of the State of Illinois v Vivian Claudine Brown, a White County Judge has found that the FOID card is unconstitutional regarding firearms in the home.  Vivian had a .22 single shot rifle for protection and someone reported her for having a firearm without a FOID card.  Of course, the police came and found the firearm and no FOID card.  Vivian was arrested and charged with having a firearm without a FOID card.

The case has been appealed by the State of Illinois.  Vivian was defended by a Public Defender in the lower court.  Illinois State Rifle Association Attorney David Sigale will be representing her before the Illinois Supreme Court. 

I have been receiving phone calls asking if Illinois citizens still need their FOID card.  The answer is yes.  Apparently, there are rumors that Illinois citizens don’t need it because of the White County ruling.  Disregard those rumors.  This case won’t be decided for months.

The case of Wilson v Cook County will be heard before the Seventh Circuit Court of the United States on April 4th.  This is an assault weapons ban case.  This case includes the ISRA and the Second Amendment Foundation, besides Mr. Wilson.  No ruling is expected until at least next Fall.  I expect this case to go before the United States Supreme Court eventually.

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

Saturday, March 30, 2019
The Well Armed Woman

Sunday, March 31, 2019
Pistol Instructor Class

Saturday, April 6, 2019
Range Work Day

Sunday, April 7, 2019
Black Powder League
Joe Brown Highpower League Service Rifle Match
Black Powder Confederation Rifle/Pistol

Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Paper & Steel League

Saturday, April 13, 2019
M1 Maintenance Class
2019 ISRA Junior Highpower Team Day at the Range

Sunday, April 14, 2019
ISRA Bullseye Match
ISRA Marksmanship League
ISRA Marksmanship .22 Challenge

Thursday, April 13, 2019
IDNR Hunter Safety Class

Saturday, April 20, 2019
IDNR Hunter Safety Class

Illinois Gun & Trade Shows

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

Lake County Gun & Sportsman Show
Antioch, IL – Antioch VFW
Date: March 31, 2019
Hours: Sunday: 8:00-2:00
Admission: $7.00

Kendall County Gun Show
Yorkville, IL – Kendall County Fairgrounds
Dates: April 6 & 7, 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: April 7, 2019
Hours: Sunday: 8:00-1:00
Admission: $5.00

Kane County Sportsman’s Show
St Charles, IL – Kane County Fairgrounds
Date: April 14, 2019
Hours: Sunday: 7:30-1:30
Admission: $5.00

National Civil War Show & Sale
Wheaton, IL – DuPage County Fairgrounds
Date: April 27, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-4:00
Admission: $9.00

Collector Arms Dealers Association Gun Show
Wheaton, IL – DuPage County Fairgrounds
Date: April 27, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-4:00
Admission: $9.00

Kankakee Gun Show
Kankakee, IL – Kankakee County Fairgrounds
Dates: April 27 & 28, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 8:00-4:00
             Sunday: 8:00-2:00
Admission: $6.00

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