Yesterday, April 25, 2018, the ISRA held one of our most successful Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Days (IGOLD) in recent years.  Thanks to all who attended and the gun groups who joined in.  The weather was beautiful.  The attendance was about 2500.  In fact, we had to ask for the mezzanine of the Bank of Springfield Convention Center to be opened for extra seating.

At the Convention Center, we heard Legislative updates and several excellent speeches.  Both Senator Bill Brady and Representative Allen Skillicorn were great.  We also listened to two young people, Kaleb Huddleston (age 15) and Jacob Vandermyde (age 18); they did an outstanding job.  Kaleb pointed out that many in his generation are Second Amendment supporters, and Jacob, a young three gun shooter, let us all know that youthful shooters are responsible and should not be banned from shooting just because they are not yet 21.  I reminded everyone that we are fighting to protect our rights so these young people, and others like them, can enjoy the shooting sports and the Second Amendment, just as we have.

Each year, I have the privilege of watching the IGOLD March from the podium on the Lincoln Steps.  This year’s march was astounding.  Senators Neil Anderson, Jason Barickman, and Dale Fowler all spoke; Representatives Monica Bristow, Jerry Long, Margo McDermed and Reggie Phillips also spoke.  We then went into the Capitol and the Stratton Building to deliver Lobby Day cards to legislators.  Coverage of the 2018 IGOLD was the best it has ever been, with ABC News out of Chicago, Channel 20 from Springfield, Pool Camera and Crew Broadcasting, as well as all the major TV networks.  At 3:00pm, we met in the Capitol Building rotunda for a few final thoughts and then began winding our way home.  Later on, it was announced that the override of SB1657 would not happen because the votes were not there.  It was a successful day but we all know this is not over.  There is a new gun dealer licensing bill, SB337, which has been introduced.  There is no quitting.

We are fighting, as Representative McDermed so aptly put it, the hysterically uninformed, or in some cases, the hysterically misinformed, which is deliberate on the anti-gun side.  Either way, it is going to be a long tough fight.

Thanks for being a member.

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

Saturday, April 28, 2018
ISRA Marksmanship League
The Well Armed Woman

Sunday, April 29, 2018
ISRA Pistol Instructor Class, Day 1 (Class is full)
Handgun Drills
IDPA Local Club Match

Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Tuesday Night Irregular Rifle League

Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Bench Rest League
Wednesday Night F-Class League

Saturday, May 5, 2018
ISRA Pistol Instructor Class, Day 2 (Class is full)
Range Work Day

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

Illinois Gun & Trade Shows:

National Civil War Show & Sale
Wheaton, IL – DuPage County Fairgrounds
Date: April 28, 2018
Hours: Saturday: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Admission: $9.00

Collector Arms Dealers Association Gun Show
Wheaton, IL – DuPage County Fairgrounds
Date: April 28, 2018
Hours: Saturday: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Admission: $9.00

Sandwich Gun Show
Sandwich, IL – Sandwich Fairgrounds
Dates: April 28 & 29, 2018
Hours: Saturday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
             Sunday: 8:00am – 2:00pm
Admission: $6.00

PVSA Sportman & Gun Show
Wheaton, IL – DuPage County Fairgrounds
Date: April 29, 2018
Hours: Sunday: 8:00am – 1:00pm
Admission: $5.00

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


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