Richard Pearson

Every once in a while, there is a bright spot in our day.  One of those bright spots popped last week in the form of a court ruling.  U.S. District Court Judge Roger Benitez of San Diego, California, struck down California’s so-called assault weapons ban declaring it unconstitutional.  The lawsuit was brought by Jim Miller et al.  The et al includes other California residents, Second Amendment Foundation, Firearms Policy Coalition, California Gun Rights Foundation and several other groups.  Judge Benitez stated in his decision, “Like the Swiss Army Knife, the popular AR15 is the perfect combination of a home defense weapon and homeland defense equipment, good for home defense and battle.”  Of course, California Governor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonita are squalling like a couple of long tailed cats in a room full of rocking chairs.  What else could we expect from these two darlings of the left wing?

The Judge points out that in California, you are 300% more likely to be murdered by hands, fists and feet and 700% more likely to be killed by a knife than an AR15 and its cousins.  There, of course, was a 30 day stay on implementing the decision to give the anti-gun side a chance to appeal.

I know it sounds early but the first hunting season this year is only a little over seven weeks away and dove season will be here before you know it.  I am already seeing ads for hunting gear and some stores are already stocking shotgun shells for the Upland Game and Deer Season.  I would not hesitate if you see something you need.  It is better to have your shotgun shells on the shelf than wish you had gotten them when they were available.

Tick season is here right now.  Illinois is blessed to have four different kinds of ticks, all carrying different nasty diseases.  Illinois has the Deer Tick, the Lone Star Tick, the Dog Tick and the Gulf Coast Tick.  Most of the time these ticks feed on our furry friends but if given a chance, they don’t mind taking a bite out of you.  Using a bug repellent with plenty of DEET in it is a good defense.  Spray your shoes, boots, socks and pant legs.  I also spray my shirts as well as exposed skin.  When you get out of the field or timber, take a shower.  I have had two of those little ticks dig into me and I found them while taking a shower.  Putting your clothes in a hot drier for 20 minutes will kill the ones you missed.  Don’t forget your pets. Ticks, particularly the dog tick, can really harm man’s best friend.  Ticks will piggyback a ride into your house.  Be sure you have tick protection on your pets and check them frequently.

Well known instructor David Diller will hold his Defensive Tactics for Concealed Carry Level I class on June 25, 2021.  He will also have a two-day Tactical Carbine Class Level I on July 30 & 31.  You don’t want to miss any of these classes.

Next week the Illinois General Assembly will be back in session.  The General Assembly left on May 31st subject to the call of the Chair in both the Illinois Senate and Illinois House of Representatives.  That means they will be back in regular session so anything can happen.  Don’t be surprised if you get an alert.

Tidbits:
June 11, 1692 - Salem Village, Massachusetts, hangs its first person accused of witchcraft.  Bridget Bishop was known to go in taverns and wear brighter colored clothing.  Outraged citizens soon thought she was a witch.  The whole witchcraft idea started when three girls were experiencing unusual maladies. A doctor concluded it was witchcraft.  The girls aged 9 to 11 said it was true and stared naming people.  Before it was over, more than 150 people were named.  Eighteen people were hanged and one man was crushed to death.  The Court was known as the special Court of Oyer and Terminer (to hear and decide).  In October 1692, Governor William Phipps ordered the trials to stop.  The Governor dissolved the court and replaced the Superior Court of Judicature.  There has been some talk of reconstituting the Court of Oyer and Terminer in Washington, D.C., an area rife with real witches and witchcraft.

June 11, 1776 - The Continental Congress appoints a committee of five people to draft the Declaration of Independence.  The committee members were Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston.

June 13, 1777 - The Marquis de Lafayette, a 19-year-old French aristocrat, arrives in South Carolina to serve as George Washington’s second in command.  King Louis XVI did not want Lafayette to go to America fearing it would enrage the British.  Lafayette went anyway and was captured and arrested.  He escaped and sailed to America with two British war ships in pursuit, but they could not catch him.  Lafayette served with Washington until the British were defeated in 1781.  He returned to France where he spent the rest of his life in service to his country.

June 14, 1775 - The Continental Congress establishes the Continental Army, now the United States Army.  Happy Birthday!  You look pretty good for being 246 years old.

June 14, 1777- The Continental Congress adopts a resolution stating the flag of the United States will be “13 red and white alteration stripes and the Union will have white stars on a blue field.”
Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross designed the flag at the request of George Washington.

June 14, 1877 - This was the first observance of Flag Day on the 100th anniversary of our flag.  In 1949, Congress officially designated June 14^th as Flag Day and made it a national day of observance.

June 15, 1777 - George Washington accepts the assignment to lead the Continental Army.

Thanks for being a member.  If you are not a member, JOIN NOW!

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

Thursday, June 10 – Sunday, June 13, 2021
Massad Ayoob MAG-40 Class

Saturday, June 12, 2021
Joe Brown Highpower League/Robert Bishop Match

Sunday, June 13, 2021
CMP 900 Aggregate/EIC Service & Rimfire Match

Monday, June 14 & 21, 2021
ISRA Military Benchrest Rifle League
ISRA Scout Rifle League

Tuesday, June 15 & 22, 2021
Tuesday Night Irregular Rifle League

Wednesday, June 16 & 23, 2021
ISRA Benchrest League
F-Class Rifle League
Combat Paper & Steel League

Thursday, June 17 & 24, 2021
ISRA Smallbore Prone/F-Class League

Saturday, June 19, 2021
RSO CPR & AED Training/Certification
Firearms Familiarization
761^st Gun Club Defensive Pistol Class

Sunday, June 20, 2021
Springfield Match
Marksmanship League
3 Hour Illinois CCW Certification Renewal

Gun & Trade Shows

Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show – Chillicothe, IL
Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club
Dates: June 12 & 13, 2021
Hours: Saturday: 8:30-5:00
             Sunday: 8:30-3:00
Admission: $3.00

Crown Point Gun Show – Crown Point, IN
Lake County Fairgrounds
Dates: July 10 & 11, 2021
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $5.00

Pecatonica Guns, Hunting & Shooting Expo – Pecatonica, IL
Winnebago County Fairgrounds
Dates: July 16, 17, & 18, 2021
Hours: Friday: 4:00-9:00
             Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $10.00







    
































 



























































.