Summer is here and hopefully the rain will be slowing down and we can all get out and enjoy our favorite shooting activities.  Summer leagues are flourishing so be sure to take advantage of them. 
The National Matches start in a little over a week at Camp Perry, Ohio.  This will be the last year for them at Camp Perry.  Next year they will be held at Camp Atterbury in Indiana.  If you have never been to Camp Perry, this is your last chance. 

I want you to sit down and get hold of yourself.  FactCheck.org has found that former President Obama (doesn’t former President Obama have a nice ring to it) is misrepresenting United States gun laws when he speaks.  He is still claiming everyone can easily buy machine guns.  It seems the former President has not yet completed his mail order home study class on how to tell the truth.

NICS check numbers have risen again.  In May 2019, NICS checks were 2,349,309, as compared to May 2018 when the numbers were 2,002,992.  There is a new dynamic in the NICS check numbers because so many states are issuing new and renewal concealed carry licenses or permits, depending on what your state calls them.  Illinois is part of that bulge because this is the first year for Illinois Concealed Carry License renewals. 

I slipped up last week and left out an important historical note.  On June 20, 1782, the Bald Eagle was chosen as our national emblem.  The word bald has more than one meaning.  The name comes from an old English word, “balde,” meaning white, hence the name for the eagle.  A Bald Eagle has an eyesight estimated at 4-8 times stronger than the average human being, unlike any other creature that I know of.  This is so America’s symbol can keep an eye on Washington D. C. and not get close to it. 

The Lake County Civil War Days event was cancelled by the Lake County Forest Preserve District because of safety concerns, the nebulous excuse not to do something without a defined reason.  This event had gone on for 27 years without incident.  Of course, we live in an era where the suggestion of facing reality, or in this case a sugar-coated version of reality, is just more than the average person can stand.

According to the Daily Herald, Ralph Peterson Jr, who says he represents Black Lives Matter, clergy and caring conscious residents of all persuasions, said in a Facebook post that cancelling was the best decision because many found the re-enactment to be culturally insensitive/not truthful as to what it was really all about and how the slaves were treated before, during and after the war….

I disagree.  The Civil War re-enactment is about an event that ended slavery in the United States and the people willing to die to free those people.  This is about 179,000 African Americans stepping up to free their fellow man despite the stigmas and prejudices, and overcoming them.  This is about 16 African Americans winning the Congressional Medal of Honor.  This is about people coming together after a tremendous social upheaval, to weave the fabric of a nation making it stronger and better than it was before.  This American Civil War was the start of a process that goes on today.  It isn’t perfect and at times painful, but it is marching ahead.  Hiding from history does not help anything.

Thanks for being a member.

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

Saturday, June 29, 2019
The Well Armed Woman

Sunday, June 30, 2019
Summer Glock League
CCSC Joe Brown Garand, Springfield, Vintage Match
Liberal Gun Owners Club Annual Meeting & Picnic

Monday, July 1, 2019
Military Benchrest Rifle League

Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Tuesday Night Irregular Rifle League

Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Bench Rest League
F-Class Rifle League

Thursday, July 4, 2019
Independence Day 800

Saturday, July 6, 2019
Range Work Day

Sunday, July 7, 2019
Black Powder League
3 Gun Combat Pistol League
Illinois Service Rifle Team Training
Black Powder Confederation Rifle & Pistol

Illinois Gun & Trade Shows

Crown Point Gun Show
Crown Point, IN – Lake County Fairgrounds
Dates: July 13-14, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $5.00

Bloomington Gun & Knife Show
Bloomington, IL – Interstate Center
Dates: August 10-11, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $6.00

Belleville Gun & Knife Show
Belleville, IL – Belle-Clair Expo Center
Dates: August 24-25, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $6.00

Lake County Gun & Sportsman Show
Antioch, IL – Antioch VFW
Date: August 25, 2019
Hours: Sunday: 8:00-2:00
Admission: $7.00

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