Today, the NRA Annual Meetings begin in Dallas, Texas.  I’m guessing the number of attendees will be in the neighborhood of 80,000.  A few weeks ago, the Mayor of Dallas asked the NRA to move their (our) annual meeting somewhere else.  Of course, it would not be possible because it takes three to five years to plan big events for the NRA Annual Meeting.  I am sure the Mayor was just pandering to the anti-gun crowd when he made that suggestion.  Well over a $100,000,000 will be spent on everything from meals, hotel rooms, and all that goes with such an event by the time it is all over.  I am betting someone gave the Mayor a quick mathematics lesson.  Even the dumbest mayor could figure that one out.

On Tuesday, May 1^st, SB337-SFA2 passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee with a vote of 7-5-0.  SB337-SFA2 turns into SB1657, the draconian Gun Dealer Licensing Bill.  This is an example of the one hour posting notice in action and how quickly things can happen.  This battle will rage on.

Next week starts the final push to May 31st, the end of the Spring Session for the Illinois General Assembly.  I am going to bet there will be more shenanigans going on than at a leprechaun’s convention.  Even though the Session ends, the battle will not end.  The 2018 elections are going to be hard fought.  In Illinois, the future of the Second Amendment is literally at stake.  Justice Kennedy is hinting about retiring, so the same is true on the national level.  No gun owner better stay home for this election.

You may not be aware of the county sanctuary movement in Illinois.  Several counties have declared themselves as Sanctuary Counties for Gun Owners.  Jefferson County has joined Effingham, Iroquois, Saline, and soon, Perry County.  This is push back for the recent attacks on gun owners in the General Assembly.  Bills such as SB1657, HB1465, HB1467, HB1469 and others that are about to come, are clearly aimed at law-abiding firearm owners and have nothing to do with the real problem.  If your county is considering such a resolution, please let me know. 

On a sad note, the United States, Illinois and the ISRA have lost Joseph I. Brown, one of the greatest of the greatest generation.   Joe was 94 years old, a high power shooter and Second Amendment defender.  When Joe was 88 or 89, he was one of the plaintiffs in the Ezell v Chicago case.  We will all miss you Joe. Hopefully, 9 or 10 people will step forward to take his place.

As of April 30, 2018:
FOID - 2,287,365
ILCCL – 290,661
Background checks on an annual basis – 928,089,360 (not including purchases)

Thanks for being a member.

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

Saturday, May 5, 2018
ISRA Pistol Instructor Class (day2) CLASS IS FULL
Range Work Day

Sunday, May 6, 2018
IDPA Local Club Match
Black Powder League
Combat Pistol/3 Gun League
Joe Brown High Power League

Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Tuesday Night Irregular League

Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Bench Rest League
Wednesday Night F-Class League

Saturday, May 12, 2018
Defensive Tradecraft ISRA IL CCL Class
ISRA Marksmanship League
Woolard Brothers Memorial High Power Rifle Tournament

Sunday, May 13, 2018
Defensive Tradecraft ISRA IL CCL Class


Illinois Gun & Trade Shows

Bloomington Gun & Survival Show
Bloomington, IL – Interstate Center
Dates: May 5 & 6, 2018
Admission: $8.00

Belleville Gun & Knife Show
Belleville, IL – Belle-Clair Expo Center
Dates: May 5 & 6, 2018
Hours: Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
             Sunday: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Admission: $6.00

Kane County Sportsman’s Show
St Charles, IL – Kane County Fairgrounds
Date: May 13, 2018
Hours: Sunday: 7:30am – 1:30pm
Admission: $5.00

Will County Gun Show
Peotone, IL – Will County Fairground
Dates: May 19 & 20, 2018
Hours: Saturday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
             Sunday: 8:00am – 2:00pm
Admission: $6.00

New Berlin Gun Show
New Berlin, IL – Sangamon County Fairgrounds
Dates: May 19 & 20, 2018
Hours: Saturday: 9:00am – 4:00pm
             Sunday: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Admission: $4.00

McHenry County Gun Show
Woodstock, IL – McHenry County Fairgrounds
Date: May 20, 2018
Hours: 8:00am – 1:00pm
Admission: $5.00

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