Richard Pearson

Both numbers of FOID card holders and ICCL holders is up and I am expecting those numbers to rise even further.  I keep getting calls from reporters asking why these numbers keep increasing.  If you look around and see what is happening in the United States the answer is obvious.  Moreover, we are just at the beginning of the long hot Illinois summer in addition to a long Fourth of July weekend.  I predict things could get pretty rough in some cities with Chicago being number one on that wild list.

With all of the attacks on police, cities defunding police, and weak leadership in many cities both big and small, we have a recipe for disaster.  One example happened last week in Portland, Oregon, where 50 members of the “Rapid Response Team” (Riot Squad) resigned after one squad member was charged with a class four felony for hurting one of the rioters.  That rioter also received $50,000 in damages from the City of Portland.  Just for the record, the Portland Riot Squad has been called out 150 times in the last year and during one period, 75 nights in row except for one or two nights.  Portland said it will replace the Riot Squad with new members made up of patrolmen and detectives.  Ok, so who will answer those 911 calls?  Nobody, that’s who, in some cases.

This gets us back to people like you and me.  The law-abiding citizens get stuck paying for all the damage and those citizens always seems to be on the chopping block of political correctness.  Rioters and criminals get off scot free while everything you worked for gets trampled into dust.  If you call 911 and if the police do show up and someone gets arrested, the criminals will be out of jail in an hour.  That is why FOID cards and ICCL permit numbers are going up.

If you live in any city, large or not, I would be on extra high alert over the Fourth of July weekend.

The ISRA is proceeding with the Luce v. Kelly lawsuit.  The lawsuit deals with the State of Illinois failure to issue Concealed Carry Licenses in a timely manner.  The Luce case is in the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division.

Ammo Quest: This week, I got a call from a Dealer who got in some S & W 40 caliber rounds and trap loads but nothing else.  On my internet search, I did find 9mm steel case Russian ammunition for 39 cents a round.  A few other places had the same stuff for 45 cents a round.  There was some 62 green tip 5.56mm out there but the cost was still very high.  But once again, the prices crept a little lower.

If you are a Brownell’s Edge member, they are offering 115 grain 9mm Magtech for $449.99 per 1000.  This ammo is in brass cases and is reloadable.  I have shot a lot of this ammunition and haven’t had any problems with it.

One of the premier classes offered at the ISRA Range is Midwest Training Groups (MTG) Defensive Rifle class.  The class requires 600 rounds of rifle ammunition and 100 rounds of pistol ammunition.  Obviously, you will learn transition skills in this class. This class is made for semi-automatic rifles and hand guns. This class will take place on July 24 and 25th so time is short.  Much of the class is shot on steel. 

Last week I failed to list the upcoming Bullseye League.  The Bullseye League is one of our oldest leagues.  If you would like to learn precision handgun shooting, this is a great way to learn.  The next league is on Sunday, June 27. 

One of my passing interests is what people use to defend themselves against bear attacks.  These cases are from places like Montana, Idaho, Alaska and western Canada.  Just for the record, firearms are 97% effective in defending against bear attacks.  People have used everything from a .22 caliber pistol to a 500 S & W magnum.  The most common pistol used is a .44 Magnum although just about everything has been used at one time or another.  When I was in Alaska, I carried a 460 S & W Magnum and a .44 Magnum as a backup.  There were three bear attacks in the Kenia Peninsula area when I was there.  The attack that I remember most came on two hunters looking for black bear.  They were surprised by a brown bear.  They were using a .270 or maybe a .35 Remington caliber in a lever action rifle.  It took 11 shots to kill the attacking brown bear.  The reason I remember this incident was the comment from Alaska Fish and Game.  When asked about the incident, AF&G said the brown bears were not supposed to be in that area.  I guess they need better signage.  It was common to see people out jogging with a gun belt and a .357 or a 44 Magnum on the hip.  Ladies were carrying just as much or maybe more than men.  There are those that want to carry pepper spray, whistles or bells to scare off the big bruins.  If you do that, I suggest a bottle of A-1 Sauce.  The bear might like that when it eats you.

The Illinois State Police (ISP) is investigating several Concealed Carry instructors who are failing to meet the mandatory requirements when teaching their classes.  The ISRA office has been notified of two such instructors within the last couple of weeks.  Most of the time these investigations have been triggered by student complaints.  In a couple of cases, the instructors were advertising their classes with shortened hours.  This isn’t rocket science.  The class requires 16 hours.  If you advertise your class as being 14 hours, or in one case a few years ago 12 hours, don’t be surprised if the ISP comes knocking at your door.  This kind of nonsense reflects badly on all those who are doing the job right.

If you are a student who was taught by one of these instructors, you have a problem.  The ISP, to their credit, will keep your Illinois Concealed Carry License in effect but you have to take the class over again within 60 days.  Of course, you will have to get a new Certificate and submit it.  I would not waste any time retaking the class.  As far as your hard-earned money goes, I would think Small Claims Court would be your solution.  I would advise you that you cannot get blood out of a turnip.  It may not be worth your time.

Tidbits:
June 24, 1948 - The Soviet Union begins the Berlin Blockade.  On June 26, American and British pilots begin flying supplies to the desperate Berliners.  Everything had to be flown in, from coal to milk.  By the end of the Blockade, 8000 tons of supplies a day were being delivered to Berlin by air.  The Berlin Blockade ended on May 12, 1949.

June 25, 1876 - The Battle of the Little Bighorn (Custer’s Last Stand) takes place.  Custer’s 200 men were overwhelmed by 3000 Indians, led by Chief Crazy Horse.  The Rock Island Arsenal Museum has the best display of artifacts from the Battle.  It is worth the trip to go there and see it.  Custer decided to leave his Gatling guns behind.  Not a good idea.

June 25, 1942 - Dwight D. Eisenhower takes command of U. S. forces in Europe.

June 26, 1945 - The United Nations Charter is signed.

June 27, 1844 - Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Latter Day Saints, and his brother Hyrum are murdered after a mob breaks in the Carthage, Illinois jail.  Many of the local Mormons were attacked, all except one.  Everyone stayed away from the local gunsmith due to health considerations.  The gunsmith was John Browning.

June 27, 1995 - Route 66 is officially decertified as a highway.  It existed 59 years.

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

Friday, June 25, 2021
TTD LLC Defensive Tactics for Concealed Carry – Level I

Saturday, June 26, 2021
The Well Armed Woman
RSO Meeting
761^st Gun Club Defensive Pistol 1

Sunday, June 27, 2021
ISRA Bullseye Match
Glock Summer League
2 Gun Drills
761^st Gun Club Defensive Pistol 2

Monday, June 28 & July 5, 2021
ISRA Military Benchrest Rifle League
ISRA Scout Rifle League

Tuesday, June 29 & July 6, 2021
Tuesday Night Irregular Rifle League

Wednesday, June 30 & July 7, 2021
ISRA Benchrest League
F-Class Rifle League
Combat Paper & Steel League

Thursday, July 1 & 8, 2021
ISRA Smallbore Prone/F-Class League

Saturday, July 3, 2021
Range Work Day

Sunday, July 4, 2021
ISRA Combat Pistol/3 Gun League
ISRA Black Powder League
Independence Day 800
Paper & Steel Shotgun League

Gun & Trade Shows

Belleville Gun & Knife Show – Belleville, IL
Belleville Fairgrounds
Dates: June 26 & 27, 2021
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $6.00

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

Bloomington Gun & Knife Show – Bloomington, IL
Interstate Center
Dates: July 24 & 25, 2021
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: 6.00

    















    
































 



























































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