Chicago Freedom Hate Machine Is Coming For Your Guns

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- On Tuesday, January 24th, the Chicago gun grabbers launched a surprise attack on your gun rights by moving two pieces of extremist anti-gun legislation out of committee and on to the House floor for consideration.

The first bill is HB1294. This bill would require the ban and forced confiscation of every semiautomatic firearm you own.

The second bill is HB1599. If passed, this bill would increase jail time for owners of any guns banned by HB1294.

THE MACHINE PLAN IS CLEAR – THEY WANT TO MAKE IT A FELONY FOR YOU TO EXERCISE YOUR 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS!

These two bills are not just random attacks on your rights! They have been carefully drafted and coordinated by some of the Chicago Machine’s most ardent gun grabbers to include: Rep. Edward Acevedo; Rep. Ann Williams; Rep. Greg Harris; Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie; Rep. Karen May; Rep. Carol Sente; Rep. Deborah Mell (Blago’s sister-in-law); and Rep. Marlow Colvin.

IF THESE BILLS PASS, YOU WILL HAVE 90 DAYS TO SURRENDER YOUR GUNS TO THE POLICE OR THE POLICE WILL BE COMING TO YOUR DOOR TO TAKE YOUR GUNS TO THE FURNACE, AND YOU TO THE PENITENTIARY.

This is the beginning of what could be a very bad year for law-abiding Illinois gun owners. The Chicago Machine does not care about the 2nd Amendment and is dead set on taking your guns away from you.

They are not patriots; they are not lovers of freedom; they are not Americans. These people have no respect for our Constitution or the ideals of liberty and self determination envisioned by the Founding Fathers.

They know that private firearm ownership is the bedrock of liberty and, if they can take your guns away from you, then they will be able to condemn you and your family to a life of servitude – groveling before the Machine for life’s necessities.

DO NOT LET THE CHICAGO MACHINE BEAT YOU DOWN LIKE A DOG!

HERE ARE THE THINGS THAT YOU MUST DO TO HELP PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS:

1. Use the link below to identify your State Representative and politely advise your Representative that you oppose HB1294 and HB1599 and that you expect them to vote against those bills if they come to the House floor for a vote.
• Illinois Board of Elections District Official/Search:

  http://www.elections.state.il.us/DistrictLocator/DistrictOfficialSearchByAddress.aspx

2. Pass this Alert link along to all your friends and family and urge them to contact their Representatives as well.
3. Post the link to this alert to any and all Internet blogs or bulletin boards to which you belong.
4. Please follow the directions below and make a generous donation to the ISRA so that we may continue the fight in Springfield to preserve and protect your rights. The suggested minimum donation for protecting freedom is $20.

REMEMBER: PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE 2ND AMENDMENT IS A MORAL AND CULTURAL IMPERATIVE – WITHOUT THE FREE EXERCISE OF THE 2ND AMENDMENT, THERE WILL BE NO MORE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois Gun Grabbers Up To Some New Tricks

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the 2nd Amendment guarantees your right to keep and bear arms, anti-gun politicians have been working hard to come up with a way to take your guns away without running afoul of the Heller and McDonald decisions.

Well, it looks like the gun-grabbers are about to launch a whole new attack on your right to keep and bear arms.

The objective of this new attack is to make firearm ownership too expensive and too impractical for most people through the use of taxes, registration schemes, and storage requirements.

THE TEST BED FOR THIS NEW ATTACK ON YOUR GUN RIGHTS I OAK PARK, ILLINOIS.

On Tuesday, 24 January 2012, the Oak Park Village Council will be holding a public information seminar on regulatory proposals designed to discourage private firearm ownership. Many gun-rights advocates believe that the Oak Park regulations are a blueprint for state-wide laws that the gun control movement hopes to pass in 2013.

IF GUN OWNERS DO NOT STAND UP NOW, THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS WILL BE REGULATED OUT OF EXISTENCE IN 2013.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS:

1. 1) Attend the Oak Park meeting and stand up for your rights. The meeting will be held at the Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM, but you should be there by about 6:30 to make sure you get a seat. Be sure to wear your IGOLD shirts and hats.
2. 2) Pass this alert along to all your gun owning friends and family.
3. 3) Please post this the link to this alert to any and all Internet blogs and bulletin boards to which you subscribe.

PLEASE BE IN OAK PARK ON JANUARY 24TH!!! IF YOU DON’T STOP THE GUN CONTROLLERS, WHO WILL?

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Court Sides With Illinois State Rifle Association In Protecting Identities Of Lawful Firearm Owners

Illinois State Rifle Association

PEORIA, Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- Lawful firearm owners across the state may rest a little easier tonight knowing that their sensitive personal information is finally safeguarded from release under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Earlier this week, the Honorable Michael E. Brandt, Chief Judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit of Illinois, Peoria County, signed an order permanently barring the Illinois State Police from revealing the identities of the state’s 1.5 million law-abiding firearm owners.

This order extends to prohibit the release of information contained in Firearm Owner ID (FOID) applications and Firearm Transfer Inquiry Program (FTIP) background checks. The ISRA is characterizing the issuance of this permanent injunction as a major victory for Illinoisans concerned about their personal privacy.

Judge Brandt’s order stems from a lawsuit filed earlier this year by the ISRA against the Illinois State Police. The ISRA filed the lawsuit upon learning that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan had ruled that FOID information was releasable under the FOIA and that the Illinois State Police must honor a FOIA request for such information filed by a newspaper reporter.

Lawful firearm owners were appalled and angry over the prospect of their private information being released to the media. In response, the ISRA successfully sought a temporary restraining order to halt the release of firearm owner personal information. Monday’s action by Judge Brandt makes the provisions of that restraining order permanent.

“Gun control organizations and their friends in the press have been trying for years to get the names and addresses of firearm owners,” commented ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson. “For some reason, they think that the public has a right to know who in their city, town or social organization owns guns. Thus, they would like nothing more than to see the names and addresses of gun owners along with detailed inventories of privately-held firearms plastered across every newspaper in the state. For years, the State Police correctly and successfully resisted calls for the release of such information. Well, then along comes Attorney General Lisa Madigan.”

“Lisa Madigan is well known as a staunch supporter of efforts to ban civilian firearm ownership,” continued Pearson. “In fact, Madigan routinely receives recognition and awards for her anti-gun activities from Illinois’ largest gun control organization. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Madigan would break with tradition and direct the release of gun owners’ personal information to the public. Judge Brandt’s order has put the kibosh on Madigan’s abuse of power.”

“The most important outcome of Judge Brandt’s order will be the restoration of peace of mind among the state’s gun owners,” said Pearson. “No longer will they have to fear that Lisa Madigan will target their homes for burglary. They won’t have to worry that gun control extremists will “occupy” their front yards or harass their children on the way to school. Yes, the state’s gun owners will be quite content in the knowledge that the court has declared that the choice to own firearms is nobody’s business but their own.”

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over millions law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- The Huntley Tea Party is holding a forum on the Right of Citizens to Conceal Carry at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27 at the Codman Cultural Center, 12015 Mill St., in Huntley, Illinois (map).

Known gun grabbers Bill and Jennifer Jenkins from the Brady Campaign will be there to try to push gun control, gun registration and confiscation schemes; ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson will be there to support your Right To Carry. Also on the panel will be Huntley Police Chief John Perkins and State Rep Mike Tryon (R-64), a co-sponsor of HB-148 – The Family and Personal Protection Act.

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO SUPPORT YOUR RIGHT TO CARRY:

1. No matter where you live, be sure to attend this forum. This is your chance to show support of our Second Amendment rights. Be sure to wear your IGOLD or ISRA t-shirts and hats if you have them.

2. Be prepared to politely engage our opponents and defend your right to protect your self and family against violent criminals.

3. Pass this alert on to your family and friends. Tell them to be there too.

4. Please post this alert to any and all Internet blogs or bulletin boards.

5. If you’re not a member of the ISRA, join today!

6. Please make a generous donation to the ISRA, today, so that we can continue the fight to preserve and protect your rights!

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- Imagine, for a moment, that you are sitting at a public meeting on the topic of gun ownership and from the podium you hear nothing but the truth – not a single lie uttered about the 2nd Amendment or American gun owners.

Imagine hearing stories of rugged American individualism and selfless loyalty to the Constitution without once hearing phrases like “deadly assault weapon” or “reasonable gun control” or “cop-killer bullets.”

Imagine how nice it would be to spend a weekend with nobody but folks like yourself who respect and honor our Constitution.

Well, stop imagining and start experiencing!

This weekend, the Second Amendment Foundation is bringing its highly regarded Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC) here to Illinois. The event kicks off the evening of Friday, September 23rd and ends on Sunday September 25th. This event will feature a host of well-respected lecturers on gun rights issues along with tremendous opportunities to network with other gun rights supporters.

If you want to learn how to preserve and protect the 2nd Amendment – then attend the GRPC.

If you want to hear first-hand about the behind-the-scenes work that helped ensure victory in the Heller and McDonald cases – then attend the GRPC.

If you want to learn exactly what the gun grabbers have planned for us in Springfield, in Washington, and at the UN – then attend the GRPC.

If you want to broaden your knowledge of the principles and foundations of the 2nd Amendment – then attend the GRPC.

If you want to network with other concerned gun owners and prepare for the trouble ahead – then attend the GRPC.

The bottom line is this – the GRPC accomplishes two purposes. First, the GRPC celebrates the successes we’ve had to date both in the legislatures and in the courts. Second, the GRPC prepares us to face the challenges the gun control movement will through in our path as we march on to restore our rights.

Please, if you care about the future of the 2nd Amendment; if you care about preserving and enhancing the rights you enjoy today, then you really need to attend the GRPC this weekend. Attending is an easy thing to do, but the rewards of attending will reap immeasurable benefits for those of us who believe the 2nd Amendment is a blueprint for security and prosperity.

By the way – the GRPC is FREE!

To learn more about the GRPC, please click on this link: http://www.saf.org/default.asp?p=grpc

Remember, gun control is a disease and you’re the cure. Just look at the GRPC as med school for those of us who combat the plague that is gun control.

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- Anti-Concealed Carry State Representative Ann Williams will be holding a town hall meeting, together with the state senator for her district, Senate President John Cullerton on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at 6:00 PM.

Williams was one of 52 state representatives who voted against HB148 – the concealed carry bill.

Williams, formerly a staff member in Lisa Madigan’s Attorney General office, ran for the Illinois House on a platform including gun control and does not believe that you are responsible for your own self-defense, that is best left up to big government and dicey police response times.

John Cullerton rules the Illinois Senate with an iron hand, refusing to allow pro-gun bills originating in the Illinois Senate even to have committee hearings in the 97th General Assembly, including bills for concealed carry.

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO SUPPORT YOUR RIGHT TO SELF DEFENSE:

1. No matter where you live, be sure to attend Representative Williams’ and Senator Cullerton’s town hall meeting. The town hall meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at 6:00 PM. The location for the meeting is at Bell Elementary School, 3730 N. Oakley Ave, Chicago IL 60618. Be sure to wear your IGold t-shirts and hats if you have them.
2. Be prepared to politely engage our opponents and defend your right to protect your self and family against violent criminals. Ask directly: “Why won’t you allow me to defend myself?”
3. Pass this alert on to your family and friends. Tell them to be there too.
4. Please post this alert link to any and all Internet blogs or bulletin boards.
5. If you’re not a member of the ISRA, join today!
6. Please make a generous donation to the ISRA, today, so that we can continue the fight to preserve and protect your rights!

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- The National Rifle Association has developed a program to increase awareness of Electronic Target Systems and their use for recreational shooting.

Come to the Illinois State Rifle Association Range to shoot your new firearm, sight-in your rifle, or get in some practice on this state-of-the-art electronic target equipment!

You will even get a print-out of your target and score to show off to your friends and family.

Please note, you must bring your own firearms and ammunition. All calibers will be allowed with the exception of .50 bmg.

The systems will be set up for a 5 shot exercise. The following target types will be available:

• 100 yard rifle targets
• Deer target
• Boar target
• 25 yard pistol targets

NRA Electronic Target System

Event Details:

Saturday, August 20, 2011
Illinois State Rifle Association Range
1589 North 7000 W Road, Kankakee, Illinois
Event time: 10 am – 5pm

To pre-register please click here! or call us at (877) 672-7264.

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- As we reported in an alert earlier this week, Rep. Karen May will be holding a town hall meeting on Saturday, July 9th.

As many of you know, Rep. May is a long-time opponent of the right to keep and bear arms who routinely votes for the Daley/Emanuel gun control packages.

Earlier this year, May voted against concealed carry when HB148 came to the floor of the Illinois House. After voting against concealed carry, Rep. May issued a statement bashing concealed carry and claiming that there is no reason for law-abiding citizens to carry firearms for protection.

In our earlier alert, we urged supporters of concealed carry to attend Rep. May’s town hall meeting and challenge her on her position against self defense. In response to our alert, Rep. May issued a statement saying that her staff would be checking IDs at the door to the meeting and would deny entry to anyone who did not live in Rep. May’s House District.

Recall that the meeting is being held in the Highland Park Public Safety building – a building most certainly built using state and federal tax dollars – your tax dollars. Therefore, we believe it improper - and possibly illegal - for May to deny any well-behaved person from entering a public meeting in a public building.

Do not let May’s threats deter you! It is now especially important for you to attend Saturday’s public meeting. It is equally important that you bring one or two friends or family members with you.

Here are some tips on how to make our attendance at Rep. May’s town hall a success:

• Assemble outside the Highland Park Public Safety Building, 1677 Old Deerfield Road, Highland Park, IL at 9:00 AM. The meeting begins at 10:00, but we’d like to have everyone there early so that we are not denied entry due to “over crowding.”
• Be sure to wear yellow IGOLD t-shirts and hats, if you have them.
• There will be an ISRA representative there to brief you on what questions to ask at the meeting.
• Be polite, yet firm, in your dealings with anyone who opposes our position on Concealed Carry.

Again, it is critically important that you attend Rep. May’s town hall meeting. Do not let your voice be silenced!

IMPORTANT – PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING TO HELP PRESERVE YOUR FIREARM RIGHTS:

1. Please pass the link to this alert on to your friends and family.
2. Please post the link to this alert to any and all Internet bulletin boards or blogs to which you belong.
3. If you’re not a member of the ISRA, please join today!
4. Remember, the ISRA needs your financial support to keep up the fight for your rights. Please make a generous donation today!

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Second Amendment Foundation

BELLEVUE, WA --(Ammoland.com)- In a 3-0 ruling issued this morning, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has reversed a lower court ruling and ordered that court to issue a preliminary injunction against the City of Chicago on behalf of the Second Amendment Foundation that prevents the city from banning gun ranges inside city limits.

Joining SAF in the original lawsuit were Action Target, Inc., the Illinois State Rifle Association and three Chicago residents, Rhonda Ezell, William Hespen and Joseph Brown. Their attempts to obtain a temporary restraining order against the gun range ban were twice rejected by the district court. The Appeals Court ruling is severely critical of the lower court’s ruling.

“This is a significant victory that could have strong implications well beyond the Chicago city limits,” said SAF Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “The court is making it clear that cities cannot adopt firearms ordinances that are so deliberately restrictive that they make it impossible for citizens to exercise their rights under the Second Amendment.”

Immediately after last year’s landmark SAF victory in McDonald v. City of Chicago, the city adopted a handgun ordinance that required special permits and mandated range training, but banned gun ranges inside city limits. The city argued that citizens could fulfill their training requirement by visiting a suburban range.

In today’s ruling, written by Judge Diane S. Sykes, the Appeals Court observed, “It’s hard to imagine anyone suggesting that Chicago may prohibit the exercise of a free-speech or religious-liberty right within its borders on the rationale that those rights may be freely enjoyed in the suburbs. That sort of argument should be no less unimaginable in the Second Amendment context.”

In a concurring opinion, Judge Ilana Diamond Rovner noted, “the city may not condition gun ownership for self-defense in the home on a prerequisite that the City renders impossible to fulfill within the city limits.”

“What the city tried to do, as the court ruling noted, was thumb its municipal nose at the Supreme Court’,” Gottlieb stated. “City governments, no matter how much they abhor the fundamental right of citizens to keep and bear arms, cannot use clever legal devices to prevent the exercise of that right. As Judge Rovner noted, the city must come to terms with that reality’.”

The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control. SAF has previously funded successful firearms-related suits against the cities of Los Angeles; New Haven, CT; and San Francisco on behalf of American gun owners, a lawsuit against the cities suing gun makers and an amicus brief and fund for the Emerson case holding the Second Amendment as an individual right.

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- Illinois State Representative Karen May (D-58), will be holding a town hall meeting on Saturday, July 9, 2011.

May is a long time opponent of the law-abiding citizen’s right to own firearms and has consistently voted in support of gun control bills introduced by the Daley/Emanuel Gun Grabbing Machine.

Most recently, May has voted against HB 148 which was a bill that would allow well qualified, law-abiding citizens to carry defensive firearms for the purpose of protecting themselves and their families against dangerous criminals.

After casting her vote against concealed carry, May released the following statement regarding her vote:

May Pleased as Concealed Carry Bill Fails

SPRINGFIELD, IL—State Rep. Karen May (D-Highwood) on Thursday released the following statement in response to the defeat of a House Bill 148 that would allow citizens to carry concealed weapons in Illinois:

“Growing up downstate, I understand how important gun ownership is for many residents of Illinois, but in modern society, there is no need for regular citizens to carry loaded, concealed weapons in public. I voted against allowing concealed carry to make sure our streets remain safe and free from violence.”

“Our local police officers need every tool they can get to keep our communities safe, and I am glad this bill failed so that their job will not be more complicated by worrying about wild-west showdowns in our community, even by well-intentioned individuals.”

Based on her statements on concealed carry, May is obviously out of touch with the violent realities of daily life that so may of us face. Of course, it’s easy for someone like May to sit up there in Highland Park and tell the rest of us that we have nothing to worry about. May’s “let them eat cake” attitude is inconsistent with the principles upon which our nation was founded and must not be tolerated.

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO HELP PROMOTE THE RIGHT TO DEFEND YOURSELF:

1. Regardless of where you live, plan on attending Rep. Karen May’s town hall meeting on Saturday, July 9, 2011. The meeting begins at 10:00 AM and will be held in the community meeting room in the Public Safety building located at 1677 Old Deerfield Road, Highland Park. Please be prepared to politely challenge Rep. May on her position that our streets are safer when unarmed citizens must share those streets with dangerous thugs.
2. Please share this alert with your friends and family and urge them to attend Rep. May’s town hall meeting.
3. Please post this alert to any and all Internet blogs or bulletin boards to which you belong.
4. If you’re not a member of the ISRA, then join today.
5. Remember, Rep. May and her friends in the gun control movement are taxpayer funded. The ISRA relies on the generosity of Patriots like you to fuel our fight against the gun grabbers. So, please make a donation to the ISRA today.

REMEMBER, ONLY YOU CAN PRESERVE AND PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. IF YOU DON’T STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT, WHO WILL?

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- As most of you readers know, Concealed Carry failed by just a few votes in the House this spring.

Many of the “NO” votes were the result of arm-twisting by the Daley-Emanuel Gun Grabbing Machine.

One of the state representatives who voted “NO” on Concealed Carry is having a town hall meeting this Wednesday night. He has invited the public to come to the town hall to express their ideas to him for next session.

Regardless of where you live, this is your opportunity to inform an anti-gun legislator of your disappointment that Concealed Carry failed to pass. Again, even though you may not live in this legislator’s district, your appearance at his town hall to object to his “NO” vote on concealed carry will send a message to all the other representatives who voted “NO.”

That message is, “We will not be quiet on this issue – we will not rest until the law-abiding citizens of Illinois are allowed to protect themselves and their families from violent thugs.”

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO HELP PASS CONCEALED CARRY DURING THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION:

Attend Rep. Keith Farnham’s town hall meeting and let the Representative know you are unhappy with his “NO” vote on Concealed Carry.

• Please post the link to this alert to any and all blogs or Internet bulletin boards to which you belong.
• Please send the link to this alert along to your friends and family, tell them to attend too.

HERE IS INFORMATION ON THE TOWN HALL – READ IT CAREFULLY AND PLEASE ATTEND:

• WHAT: Town Hall Meeting – open to the public
• WHO: Rep. Keith Farnham (voted “NO” on Concealed Carry)
• WHEN: Wednesday, June 29, 2011, 7:00 PM
• WHERE: Carpentersville Village Hall, 1200 L.W. Besinger Drive , Carpentersville, IL

REMEMBER – ONLY YOU CAN ENSURE THAT CONCEALED CARRY GETS PASSED. ATTEND THIS TOWN HALL – STAND UP AND BE COUNTED AS BEING ON THE SIDE OF WHAT’S RIGHT!

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

ISRA's Pearson Report

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- As I write this, I’m just returning from a badly needed vacation in the Black Hills of South Dakota. There’s nothing like a several days in the great American wilderness to help put things in perspective.

I must say that my Black Hills experience did little to sweeten my view of Chicago public officials or their apologists in the popular press.

South Dakota impressed me as a place where people love the land, respect their neighbors, and place great value on talking straight about the issues of the day. On the other hand, returning home earlier this week reminded me that many Illinoisans hold a pretty cockeyed view of the world – especially those Illinoisans of the Chicago variety.

Case in point – the recent upswing in violence on Chicago’s north side committed by so-called “flash-mobs.” I don’t think flash-mob attacks would go over very well in South Dakota. Yet, Chicago politicians and the press are essentially suggesting that folks should take flash-mob violence in stride like any other Chicago summer tradition.

For those of you unfamiliar with what a flash-mob is, let me just say that a flash mob is certainly not something that any of us ever wants to encounter. Essentially, a flash-mob is a large group of young people who use the Internet or smart phones to arrange to meet in a certain
place at a certain time to engage in criminal activity – usually retail theft or beatings and robberies of unsuspecting citizens.

The whole flash-mob issue first came up on Memorial Day when Chicago’s North Avenue Beach was shut down and evacuated due to flash-mob violence up and down the shore.

A week later, another flash-mob attacked and robbed several persons in the Streeterville area just steps off of the fashionable Magnificent Mile shopping area.

At first, Chicago city officials dismissed these flash-mob events as isolated incidents. However, it was later revealed that organized flash-mob violence on the north side had been going on for more than a year with little publicity.

Anyone who has read about the tactics of flash-mobs knows that the people who participate in such activities are like a pack of wild animals totally devoid of humanity.

Flash mobs are organized specifically to overpower victims without warning with the mob disappearing before the police arrive. Difficult to detect, difficult to control, difficult to apprehend – flash-mobs are effective and dangerous criminal enterprises.

Like many of you, I feel that flash-mob violence is a perfect example of why Illinois needs to pass concealed carry. There is absolutely no excuse for the legislature to deny honest citizens the means of protecting themselves and their families from these roving gangs of thugs.

Shortly after the flash-mob activities were made public, the ISRA issued a pair of statements condemning flash-mob violence and suggesting that concealed carry was a possible solution to the problem.

As you might expect, the ISRA statements sparked a lot of howling from the gun control movement and their pals in the anti-gun press. The anti-gunners were quick to condemn the ISRA’s suggestion, pointing out that the flash-mobs only rough up their victims and steal wallets and electronic items without inflicting life-threatening injuries.

When bashing the ISRA’s position on concealed carry, one chuckle headed editor of a political tabloid made light of flash-mob violence by suggesting that protecting an iPod is not justification for shooting a flash-mob participant.

On that point, I would like to remind everyone once again that the ISRA has never advocated shooting someone who snatches one’s purse, picks one’s pocket or grabs a chain or iPod and runs away. The state’s deadly force laws are quite specific. The ISRA supports the use of deadly force only in strict accordance with state law.

I’m not sure, but I’m willing to bet that none of these flash-mob attacks began like this, “Excuse me, sir, my friends and I are taking donations of gently-used iPods to raise funds so that our choir can go to Washington and sing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.”

On the contrary, flash-mob attacks are swift and brutal, with the victim(s) having little warning of what is about to happen to them. All the victim knows is that they are being savagely attacked by an overwhelming force of aggressors. Under state law, it is conceivable that the use of deadly force by the victim of a flash-mob would be authorized as the victim may believe that he or she is at risk of serious bodily injury or death. As we all know, a defensive firearm is one of the most effective means of applying deadly force to an assailant.

As is usually the case when concealed carry is discussed, the gun controllers trotted out their laundry list of lame excuses for why things would only “get worse” if the victim of a flash mob were armed.

We heard the old excuse that the assailants would certainly overwhelm the armed victim and take their gun away from them – a situation that the antigunners say would be “worse.” Well, pardon me for not grasping the logic of that assertion. Yes, it would be a bad thing for a criminal to disarm the citizen. However, is it really “worse” to get shot to death with one’s own firearm than it is to be beaten to death by a bloodthirsty mob?

Yet another excuse floated in opposition to concealed carry was that an onlooker might get shot if the victim draws a firearm. Indeed, that would be an unfortunate case. Yet, in my mind, the wounding of a bystander would be the fault of the flash-mob and not the fault of the original victim. I do not accept the antigunners’ notion that the victim has an obligation to lay down his or her life just to reduce the damage inflicted by the flash-mob.

An equally outlandish assertion floated by the gun controllers was that drawing a firearm on a mob of 20 attackers is pointless because the victim is so outnumbered. Let us not forget that criminals such as those populating flash-mobs are essentially cowards. Again, the objectives of flash-mobs are to terrorize and rob helpless victims. Thus, when faced with an armed victim, it is doubtful that any of these flash-mobbers would sacrifice their lives in pursuit of an iPod. I think it is a safe bet to say that, as soon as the victim drew a firearm, the mob would scurry away like the vermin they are. These people are not going to fight to the last man.

Of course, as is usually the case when shocking acts of violence occur, there was plenty of victim-blaming dished out by leftist commentators who put an almost Robin Hood-esque spin on the series of attacks. Disadvantaged youth waging a battle against conspicuous consumption by giving greedy capitalists a taste of their own medicine. I don’t know many times I heard that these are all good kids from good schools who are merely acting out their frustration with our society’s inherent lack of opportunity.

The most perplexing aspect of the flash-mob experience has been that the gun control movement and their pals in the press find it easier to defend the actions of the flash-mob participants than to recognize the individual right to self defense. Yes, that sounds nutty, but that is the mentality that we come up against in Springfield when we try to advance a concealed carry bill. It makes no sense, but they stand by that logic.

We Must Neutralize Our Opposition
Many concealed carry supporters I encounter believe that it is just a matter of education to convince opponents that there are indeed benefits of having concealed carry. Sadly, it is not that simple. A sizable number of concealed carry opponents just don’t believe that individuals have a right to defend themselves under any circumstances. They believe that it is better for you to suffer a beating or even die than it is for you to raise a hand against your fellow man. The truly unfortunate thing is that these people have sufficient political clout to force their beliefs on you by way of law.

If you look at Illinois law, you will see that, in most cases, you would get a longer prison sentence for defending yourself than would the person who attacked you. That fact demonstrates just how serious the gun-controllers are about forcing their will upon you.

The bottom line to all of this is that the gun control movement subscribes to a twisted brand of logic. These people cannot be reasoned with. If ever we are to enact concealed carry in this state, we must first neutralize our opposition.

That will take a lot of work, and the ISRA will lead the charge in that effort. But we need your help – help we know we can count on.

Please don’t forget to Volunteer at the ISRA Range Open House on June 25th, 2011! Please go to www.ISRA.org for details!

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

ISRA's Pearson Report

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- I Couldn’t be More Angry at Our Illinois Legislature.

Now that the spring legislative session is over, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of you whose time, contributions, and moral support made 2011 our most successful campaign for concealed carry yet.

Concealed carry didn’t pass, of course, but with your help we managed to force a vote on the floor and get 65 legislators to support the measure.

That’s nothing to sneeze at.

Nonetheless, I’m extremely angry at our legislature for not producing the 71 votes needed to pass concealed carry. We crafted a very good bill this year.

We took into consideration many of the concerns some in the House had regarding training and background checks. We even held our nose and accepted some restrictions on where one could carry a defensive firearm.

Indeed, a lot of hard work on both sides of the aisle went into advancing the cause for concealed carry in the Illinois House this year. But, in the end, it was the morally bankrupt Chicago political establishment that killed the concealed carry bill.

Fixing the situation will require that changes occur at the top of the House and Senate leadership structure. Realistically, that could happen at any time.

It’s just a matter of encouraging enough friendly legislators to muster the courage to do it. How we make these needed changes will be a topic for discussion another day.

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- The Illinois State Rifle Association is warning its members to think twice about selecting Chicago as a vacation destination this summer.

This warning was issued in response to a recent dramatic upswing in violent crime in the windy city.

Most notably is a spate of so-called “flash mob” attacks where as many as two dozen young men ambush and savagely beat their victims before robbing them of their valuables. One recent flash mob victim was a 68 year-old man.

The bulk of the flash mob attacks have taken place on Chicago’s near north side and Gold Coast areas to include North Avenue Beach and the Magnificent Mile. The attack locations are within the general vicinity of tourist attractions including Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Millennium Park.

Thus far, the Chicago Police Department has had little luck controlling these flash mobs with only 4 participants having been apprehended. This ability to confound the police stems from the very nature of flash mobbing. Participants either get a text message on their smart phone or receive a “tweet” on a social networking site telling them where to show up and how to behave – with the specified behavior usually involving larceny or assault.

Flash mob participants arrive at the site at a particular time and, after committing the specified crimes, scatter before police can arrive. The sheer number of flash mob participants overpowers the victims – rendering them helpless against the mob.

As most of our readers know, the most effective defense a victim could muster against a flash mob would be for the victim to draw a concealed firearm. As most of our readers also know, Illinois is one of only two states in the nation that deny citizens the right to carry defensive firearms.

The ISRA supported House Bill 148 in the most recent legislative session. Under the provisions of HB148, qualified citizens would be permitted to carry defensive firearms to protect themselves and their families from the type of violent crimes perpetrated by flash mobs. Ironically, it was the Chicago delegation of legislators that arranged for the defeat of HB148 when the bill came up for a vote.

Through their baseless opposition to legislation such as HB148, the Chicago delegation has provided flash mobs and other criminals the upper hand. As we have seen in recent days, Chicago’s criminal element is taking full advantage of having the upper hand. There is no reason to believe that there will be a happy ending to the flash mobs’ reign of terror. Nobody should be surprised that, before the summer is over, a flash mob has engaged in a gang-rape or even a murder of an innocent civilian.

Again, the ISRA is urging readers to reconsider plans to vacation in Chicago this summer. Indications are that vacationing in Chicago will place readers and their families at high risk of being victimized by violent criminals – including flash mobs. This risk is heightened greatly because law-abiding citizens cannot carry firearms to protect themselves from violent criminals.

PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING:

1. Pass this alert along to all your friends and family members.
2. Please post this alert to any and all Internet blogs and bulletin boards to which you belong.
3. Please contact your state representative and state senator and politely inform them that you are a law-abiding citizen who wants a bill such as HB148 to be passed and signed into law so that you may protect yourself. If you do not know who your representative and senator are, follow this link: http://www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/DistrictOfficialSearchByZip.aspx.
4. Please make a generous donation to the ISRA so that we may continue the fight to pass concealed carry and defeat legislation pushed by the gun control movement that would destroy your right to keep and bear arms.

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- There has been a great deal of conjecture out there about what we are going to do after placing HB148 on postponed consideration. First let me explain what postponed consideration means.

It simply means the sponsor withdrew the bill before the vote could be recorded. The bill is still alive and will be until the second Wednesday in January 2013. This means we can bring the bill back during veto session, next session, or next veto session.

You will not see HB148 brought up again before May 31st ,which is the end of the Spring 2011 session. There is no way to do it and have any better results.

Long before the vote it was decided that if the bill did not pass we would sue the State of Illinois over the inability of Illinois citizens to defend themselves outside of their home. Illinois is the only state that does not allow either open carry or concealed carry.

We have now begun the legal challenges to the Illinois laws with the NRA. The is another challenge from the Second Amendment Foundation on a similar basis. Illinois is now facing two law suits over the inability of Illinois citizens being able to defend themselves outside their homes. Brandon Phelps the CCW sponsor warned the House of Representatives that they would be in court if the bill was not passed. Within seven days we delivered on that promise. If we get CCW by court order I am happy with that. If it comes by court order the legislature will have to still enact some legislation but they will find their hands are tied. We offered a good bill and they turned it down.

These lawsuits will take time to make their way through the court system. There is a great deal of work that goes into these suits every day before they are heard in court. It is not a simple thing to file a law suit. There is always on going work behind the scenes. Be patient.

We promised that in 2011 we would get a up and down vote on CCW and we did. We had to probe and find out the other side’s strengths, weakness, and reactions. We have done that. There were a few surprises but not many. We have a lot of work to do in the next few months. This effort has taken a toll on our resources and our energy. We have to develop new strategies and reinforce old ones that work. We are not quitting. Remember we fiercely believe in the Second Amendment and the right to self defense. We will win this battle.

As I reminded one of our opponents – “You don’t defeat us- we just fall back reload and attack again.”

Note by Don Moran, ISRA President: This summer will see a lot of activity in relation to HB-148 and all the pending litigation ISRA is involved in, Ezel v Chicago (Chicago range suit), Wilson v Cook County (Cook County Assault Weapon Ban), ISRA v ISP (FOID Privacy), and ISRA v Madigan (Carry suit). It is very important that we are able to contact as many of you and your friends as possible quickly when action is needed. I know you get tired of hearing it, but funding all this requires constant vigilance as well. We’ve put on even more lobbyists this year and we are now involved in an incredible amount of litigation on behalf of Illinois firearm owners. When people ask you, who is the ISRA, or what has ISRA done for me lately, let them know all of the above, and then ask them what have they are doing for the fight RIGHT NOW? We need their help as well.

UPDATE: Wilson v Cook County, the ISRA’s suit seeking to overturn the Cook County Assault Weapon ban, was granted leave to appeal by the Illinois Supreme Court yesterday, meaning the Court will hear the case.

Generous donations to help in the legislative and legal battles are needed now to help put us in position to win these fights.

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Demo the Savage 220 Slug Gun Camo

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- You are invited to Savage Day at the Illinois State Rifle Association Range! Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 21st 2011 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm.

Savage Firearms is going to bring a large selection of hunting rifles, target rifles, along with the new Savage 220 Slug gun!

Hornaday Ammunition is supplying all the ammunition for this event. Scopes provided by Nikon, Rings provided by Burris.

Best of All, the cost is FREE! Rain or Shine!

Persons prohibited from handling firearms will not be admitted.

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

About:
Founded in 1949, Hornady Manufacturing Company is a family owned business headquartered in Grand Island, Nebraska. Proudly manufacturing products that are “Made in the USA”, by over 300 employees, Hornady Manufacturing is a world leader in bullet, ammunition, reloading tool and accessory design and manufacture. Visit: www.hornady.com

About:
Savage Arms is proud of its’ reputation for product improvements and has become the standard for accuracy in the industry. Recently, the company introduced the new AccuTrigger™, a trigger design so revolutionary it will forever change the way shooters expect triggers to function. It’s another example of Savage’s fresh innovation in setting new standards. At Savage Arms, the entrepreneurial spirit that originally defined the company is still evident today and history is currently being written! Visit

IllinoisCarry.com

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- Just one week after the IL House failed to pass legislation to restore the right to keep and bear arms to law-abiding citizens, two of the nation’s largest gun-rights groups hit the IL Attorney General’s office with both barrels!

The NRA is backing a lawsuit on behalf of lead plaintiff Mary Shepard, a church treasurer who was attacked by a 6ft. 245 lb. violent parolee. Mary Shepard is trained and licensed to carry a concealed firearm for personal protection in over 30 states – but not in Illinois, the only state left to completely ban her right to carry. The Illinois State Rifle Association joins Ms. Shepard as a plaintiff. The lawsuit names IL Attorney General Lisa Madigan as one of the key defendants. The NRA is represented by attorneys William Howard and Jeffery Cross of Freeborn & Peters LLP. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District, Benton Division. To read the text of the lawsuit click here.

The Second Amendment Foundation filed suit on behalf of Michael Moore, a retired correctional officer of Champaign and Charles Hooks of Percy. Named as defendants are Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and State Police Superintendent Patrick Keen. SAF is represented by attorneys David Jensen and David Sigale. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Springfield Division. To read the text of the lawsuit click here.

IllinoisCarry knows in the battle to regain our rights we must fight not just on the legislative and electoral fronts but also on the judicial front.

We thank the NRA, ISRA, and SAF for their efforts on behalf of the law-abiding citizens of Illinois!!!

About:
The IllinoisCarry forum was started in April 2004. The idea was that Illinois needed a central location to communicate ideas and information regarding 2nd Amendment issues in Illinois. There are many organizations in Illinois working to protect our 2nd Amendment Rights. Working with these groups IllinoisCarry has become the central location for information and Action Alerts. IllinoisCarry will not endorse political candidates. We simply provide information so voters can make informed decisions. Our goal is to join the other 48 states that allow their citizens to carry concealed firearms. We encourage you to register on our forum and join the fight for your 2nd Amendment Rights in Illinois. Visit www.IllinoisCarry.com

National Rifle Association

FAIRFAX, Va. --(Ammoland.com)- The National Rifle Association is funding and supporting a lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of Illinois’ complete and total ban on carrying firearms for self-defense outside the home.

The case, filed today in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, is Shepard v. Madigan. The lead plaintiff is church treasurer Mary Shepard; joining her is the Illinois State Rifle Association, the NRA’s state affiliate.

Mary Shepard is an Illinois resident and a trained gun owner with no criminal record, who is licensed to carry a concealed handgun in two other states. Because Illinois remains the only state that completely prohibits all law-abiding citizens from carrying firearms for self-defense outside the home, Mary Shepard also became a crime victim. While working as the treasurer of her church, Mrs. Shepard and an 83-year-old co-worker were viciously attacked and beaten by a six-foot-three-inch, 245-pound man with a violent past and a criminal record. Mrs. Shepard and her co-worker were lucky to survive, as each of them suffered major injuries to the head, neck and upper body. Mrs. Shepard’s injuries required extensive surgery and physical therapy.

“Mary Shepard isn’t just a victim of the violent criminal who attacked her,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “She is also a victim of anti self-defense activists in the Illinois legislature who have consistently refused to recognize that good people have the right to protect themselves when they go about their everyday business. We’re pleased that the legislature has come closer this year than ever before to changing the law, but close isn’t good enough for Mary Shepard and the thousands of other Illinois residents who are prohibited by statute from defending themselves outside the home.”

Because Illinois statutes prohibit the right to keep and bear arms and the ability to carry handguns in Illinois, they infringe on the right of the people, including Mrs. Shepard, members of the ISRA and other law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the Second and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and are thus null and void.

Cox concluded: “In its historic Heller and McDonald decisions, the U.S. Supreme Court made clear that the Second Amendment protects a fundamental, individual right to keep and bear arms. Mary Shepard’s story highlights the need for law-abiding citizens to be able to fully exercise their Second Amendment rights. Whether through the legislature or through the courts, we won’t rest until that happens.”

The NRA has also filed or supported the following cases to preserve Second Amendment freedoms across the United States since the historic Heller and McDonald rulings, and expects to file more in the coming months:

• Benson v. City of Chicago, challenging Chicago’s unconstitutionally burdensome handgun restrictions;
• Heller v. District of Columbia (Heller II), challenging Washington, D.C.’s overly restrictive firearm registration requirements and ban on commonly owned rifles;
• Jackson v. City of San Francisco, challenging that city’s gun storage and ammunition regulations;
• Jane Doe v. Wilmington Housing Authority, challenging prohibitions on firearms ownership in Delaware public housing;
• Jennings v. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, challenging the federal law that prohibits law-abiding adults between the ages of 18-20 from buying handguns from licensed dealers;
• NRA v. McCraw, challenging Texas’ law that bans issuance of handgun carry permits to 18-20 year old adults; and
• Peruta v. City of San Diego, challenging that city’s refusal to issue handgun carry permits to law-abiding applicants.

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):

Illinois gun control advocates and their allies in the General Assembly delivered a “triple-whammy” against public safety recently when they sabotaged passage of HB148.

Under the provisions of HB148, well-trained, well-qualified Illinois citizens would be permitted to carry defensive firearms to protect themselves and their families from violent criminals. At the same time, HB148 would have provided upwards of $40 million in permit fees to the Illinois State Police to pay for upgrades to the state’s antiquated gun buyer background check system.

But, thanks to the short-sighted efforts of the gun control movement and its friends in the Illinois House, tens of thousands of law-abiding Illinois citizens will continue to suffer at the hands of murderers, robbers and rapists because they cannot lawfully defend themselves. Likewise, the gun control movement can take credit for saddling the state police with a background check system based on software developed in 1959.

Rounding out the triple whammy-against the citizens of Illinois is the fact that the actions of gun control advocates are to blame for a pair of lawsuits filed this week in federal court against the State of Illinois. Both lawsuits – one filed by the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), the other filed by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the ISRA – contend that the state is damaging law-abiding citizens by prohibiting the carrying of defensive firearms.

In a nut shell, the gun control movement’s efforts the kill HB148 have ensured that Illinois remains one of the most dangerous places to live in the United States. In addition to causing the loss of $40 million for better background checks, the gun control movement is now responsible for Illinois having to shell out millions in taxpayer dollars to pay legal bills related to the SAF and NRA/ISRA lawsuits. Once again, the extremist views of the gun control movement are costing the good people of Illinois dearly.

“The ISRA is very excited about being a plaintiff in the NRA/ISRA lawsuit,” commented ISRA Executive Director, Richard Pearson. “This lawsuit defines the cutting edge of one of the most important questions of the day. That is, does the state have the right to decide who is worth defending and who is not?”

“The fact that two lawsuits have been filed against the State of Illinois this week is proof-positive that this issue is not going to go away,” continued Pearson. “The behind the scenes political gamesmanship that resulted in the scuttling of HB148 has not diminished the resolve of the good people of Illinois. Whether it is in the courts, in the legislature, or at the ballot box, we will relentlessly push forward until the citizen’s right to self defense is restored in Illinois.”

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- I know you are all down in the dumps about today’s vote but you should not be. I’m not saying you should be happy either. Be pragmatic. That will be hard for everyone on our side of this issue, I realize.

We put 68 votes on the board our first time out. That is great. I know in the end we wound up with 65 and we needed 71. The Mayor and the Governor were threatening everyone they could and we only missed by a few votes. We had promises that weren’t kept, because the threats from the mayor carried more weight than we could deliver, today.

That’s life in Springfield. I know many of you and many of our members see things in black and white. If you ever come across anything in Springfield that is either pure white or completely black run away as fast as you can. It’s a trap. Ask some of our former Governors!

We know who voted one way or the other and why. We will take care of it. I’m not saying that some people shouldn’t be put in the spot light, but not all should because that will solidify their position against us. Some need to be finessed.

If there were a few legislators that need to be in the spotlight, Farnham, Crespo, and Monique Davis would be the three that I would pick.

So where are we? The bill was put on postponed consideration. That means it can be called anytime between now and the second Wednesday in 2013. Now that we have probed and found out the weak spots we can begin working on the bill again.

Firearm owners in Illinois are not the second class citizens Mayor Daley makes us out to be. He asked today for a publically funded protection detail, once he is retired! Once he is retired, he is a common citizen just like the rest of us. I can’t get the state of Illinois or my city to provide me with armed guards to watch out for me and neither should he.

Fox News Chicago reported this evening that NRA will file a law suit against the state of Illinois and there will be NO input from the Legislature once litigation commences. I am not sure what their sources are, but it was alluded to during the closing statement at the end of debate.

Representative Phelps put a lot of work into this bill. He invited all sides in to negotiate any issues they had with the bill. Conspicuously absent from those discussions was the city of Chicago. They were invited, but never even gave the courtesy of a response.

ISRA Members and our supporters are not quitters and we’re not done. Adversity makes us stronger! We WILL WIN THIS!

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- For the first time in nearly two decades a Right to Carry bill made it to the floor of the IL House of Representatives for debate and a vote.

Unfortunately lawmakers from the Chicago area failed to recognize the constitutional right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. HB148 fell only three votes shy of the 71 needed. Just before the final tally was taken the sponsor of the bill called for postponed consideration and the bill was pulled from consideration.

This maneuver is common when a bill does not reach the required number of votes to pass. This will keep the bill active and the sponsors can try to gather the needed votes and bring the bill back for another vote later in the session.

It is more critical than ever that you contact your legislator and urge them to support HB148. Call them, write them, go to their offices and meet with them in person.

Firmly but politely let them know your fight for the right to protect yourself and your family is not over. Firmly but politely tell them you expect them to stand up for your constitutional right.

Need help finding your state legislator?

Go to Illinois State Board of Elections or call 217-782-2000

Please join us at IllinoisCarry.com for the ongoing discussions about the bill what happens as we move forward.

Right to Carry Bill HB148 Endorsed by Law Enforcement Groups
HB148 continues to gain support of law enforcement groups all across the state.

The following groups are now on record supporting your right to protect yourself and your loved ones:

• Illinois Sheriffs Association
• Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police
• Chicago Police Department Sergeants Association
• Chicago Police Department Lieutenants Association

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- We are very pleased to announce that HB148, Concealed Carry, passed out of the House Agriculture Committee by a vote of 12-1.

However, there is trouble ahead for HB148. Governor Quinn has promised to veto the bill if it is passed and anti-gun forces have been engaged in heavy arm-twisting in the House, trying to get representatives to drop support for the bill.

The gun control movement is employing all sorts of underhanded tricks and lies to leave you and your family defenseless against attacks by violent criminals.

Your immediate action is required to help ensure that HB148 passes the Illinois House. Here is what you need to do:

1. Call your state representative at both his/her District and Springfield offices. Politely tell the person on the phone that you are a law-abiding Illinois citizen who wants the opportunity to defend yourself and family from dangerous criminals. Tell the person on the phone that you would like the representative to vote “YES” on HB148. If you do not know who your state representative is, please follow this link to the website of the Illinois State Board Of Elections search function:
www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/DistrictOfficialSearchByAddress.aspx

In the rare event that the search tool does not work for your address, you can call the Illinois State Board Of Elections at 217-782-4141.

2. Pass this the link to this article on to all your friends and ask them to make calls as well.

3. Please post this Link to any and all blogs and Internet bulletin boards to which you belong.

4. Please make a generous donation to the ISRA to help us continue the fight for concealed carry. The Daley/Emanuel Gun Grabbing Machine is trying its best to use tactics to bleed us of our resources. We need your Emergency Donation today! Thank you in advance! Please make a donation on-line, or over the phone at 815-635-3198.

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- As a law-abiding Illinois firearm owner, it should come as no surprise to you that your rights are coming under constant attack down in the state capitol.

The Daley/Emanuel Gun Grabbing Machine has been busily cranking out one extreme gun control measure after another since the legislative session began several weeks ago.

Likewise, the gun controllers have been working overtime to prevent pro-gun legislation from coming to a vote. It’s been business as usual in Springfield this year – and you are the person getting “the business.”

As you receive this alert, the Illinois General Assembly is in recess. That means that your State Representatives and State Senators are now back working in their District offices rather than working at the Capitol in Springfield.

This recess provides you, the law-abiding gun owner, an excellent opportunity to lobby your legislators on a face to face basis about the issues important to you.

So, here are 4 things that you can do this week to help save your gun rights:

1. Go to www.ilga.gov and click on the “Legislator Lookup” link. Follow the instructions and locate the District Offices of your State Representative and State Senator.
2. Call or visit the District Office and politely convey your message on the following bills now under consideration:
   • HB148 – a bill that would allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons to protect themselves and their families against violent criminals. Advise your Representative to support this bill.
   • HB264 – a bill that would standardize firearm regulations across the state and eliminate the patchwork of local laws that are often a “gotcha” for gun-owning out of towners. Advise your Representative to support this bill.
   • HB265 – a bill that standardizes firearm transportation regulations. Like HB264, this bill protects otherwise law-abiding citizens from getting pinched for violating a little-known law. Advise your Representative to support this bill.
   • SB82 – a bill that would allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons to protect themselves and their families against violent criminals. Advise your Senator to support this bill.
   • SB27 – a bill that would ensure that personal gun-owner information in the FOID database could not be released to the public. Advise your Senator to support this bill.
   • HB3508 – a bill to ban private firearm sales. Advise your Representative to OPPOSE this bill.
   • HB3634 – a bill that would make it a felony to sell a firearm to a gang member even if the gang member has a FOID card and passes a background check. Advise your Representative to OPPOSE this bill.
   • HB1294 – a bill that would ban semiautomatic rifles, pistols and shotguns. Advise your Representative to OPPOSE this bill.
   • SB2257 – a bill that would ban all firearms having a bore of .50 caliber or greater. Advise your Senator to OPPOSE this bill.
3. Please post this alert to any blogs or bulletin boards to which you belong. Pass this alert along to your gun-owning friends and relatives and tell them to contact their Senators and Representatives as well.
4. If you’re a current member of the ISRA, then renew or upgrade your membership. Also, we very badly need your financial support to carry on the fight against the gun grabbers at the Capitol. Please donate to the ISRA today!

ISRA needs your continued support. McDonald v Chicago was not the end of the fight but the beginning. The ISRA is the front line in the battles for your firearm rights here in Illinois, such as the new lawsuit to prevent Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan from forcing the Illinois State Police to release your FOID information to the Associated Press.

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- The lawsuit filed on behalf of ISRA and its members on March 10, 2011, is moving forward with excellent results.

After Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced that her office believes that release of FOID information to the public is proper under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, the ISRA filed suit in Peoria (10th Judicial District) seeking a temporary restraining order preventing the release of names of FOID holders.

As previously reported, the temporary restraining order (TRO) was granted by judge Scott Shore, who then scheduled a status hearing for March 15th to set a date set for hearing arguments regarding the issuance of a preliminary injunction, since the TRO normally expires in ten days.

Prior to his court appearance on behalf of ISRA and the member plaintiffs, attorney Stanley Tucker was notified of a letter sent to Attorney General Lisa Madigan that was signed by 12 (a majority) of the Illinois congressional delegation. The non-partisan letter requested Lisa Madigan to rescind an attorney general directive issued to the Illinois State Police that sided with the FOIA request made by the Associated Press’ representative that the ISP release the names of FOID holders.

The latest court order extended the TRO indefinitely, until further order of court, and another “status” hearing was scheduled for April 14th. The defendants may file pleadings requesting additional relief, but for now the privacy of law-abiding firearm owners and the interest of public safety remain protected.

The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- The Illinois State Rifle Association is pleased to announce that it will hold a high power rifle clinic at its Kankakee rifle range on Saturday, 16 April 2011. The instructor for this special clinic is Mr. Ken Roxburgh, Jr. of the Remington Arms Company.

Registration for the clinic will begin at 8:00 sharp. Participants will be required to bring their own rifle, 300 rounds ammunition, eye protection and hearing protection. The event is open to the public for a fee of $10 per person.

Members of the ISRA range will be admitted free of charge.

The educational objectives of the clinic are appropriate for shooters of all levels seeking to be acquainted with the fundamental concepts of marksmanship including safety/weapons handling, positions, aiming, trigger control, techniques of slow and rapid firing, sight adjustment/zeroing, data books, effects of weather, wind reading, care use of match equipment, team shooting, basic marksmanship coaching techniques and proper range etiquette.

Opportunities to study under instructors of Mr. Roxburgh’s quality do not come along often. Do not miss out on this rare opportunity!

ISRA to Host Chicago Firearm Permit Class (CFP)

Date: Sunday, March 27, 2011
Place: Fran’s on 17 (classroom) and Illinois State Rifle Range (OUTDOOR range)
FRAN’S – 7096 W State Route 17, Kankakee (815) 932-6986
(DOES NOT SERVE BREAKFAST) and
ISRA Range in Bonfield, near Kankakee
1 ½ miles NORTH OF IL 17 on WARNER BRIDGE ROAD
(which is also known as 7000W and County Line)

Course: Consists of 4 hours of classroom instruction and1 hour of practical training at the firing range
as required by the City of Chicago.

Time: Sign in starts at 8:00 a.m.,
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. classroom
Lunch break (approximate times)
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. range time

Cost: $110.00 includes range fee and ammunition

Paid to: Illinois State Rifle Association, P.O. Box 637, Chatsworth, IL 60921
Requirements: Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID)
Registration Deadline: March 19, 2011

Upon Completion, students will Receive: State Certified Firearm Instructor Affidavit attesting to the completion of the firearm instruction and training as required by the City of Chicago,

NRA Certificate of Completion of the First Steps Pistol Orientation

Please visit the ISRA Range Website here and mail the “form” with your check payable to the ISRA or fax with your credit card information to (815) 635-3723.

For further information call the Illinois State Rifle Association Office (815) 635-3198

The ISRA Range is located at 1589 N Warner Bridge Road. Warner Bridge Road is also 7000W road.

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

PEORIA, IL --(Ammoland.com)- The ISRA is pleased to announce that it has secured a temporary restraining order against the release of personal information belonging to persons holding Illinois Firearm Owner Identification cards (FOID).

The ISRA and four additional plaintiffs filed for the temporary restraining order after Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced that her office believes that release of FOID information to the public is proper under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

The ISRA is very concerned that public release of personal information from the FOID database will jeopardize the safety of law-abiding firearm owners.

The temporary restraining order was granted by judge Scott Shore of the 10th Judicial District, Peoria County. Judge Shore has scheduled a status call for March 15th, at which time a date will be set for hearing arguments regarding the issuance of a preliminary injunction. With the temporary order in effect, your FOID information is safe, for now.

“Law-abiding Illinois firearm owners can breathe a little easier today,” commented ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson.

“Judge Shore’s order will prevent the Illinois State Police from releasing personal information on FOID holders to news organizations, gun control groups, gangs, and other criminals”.

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request from the Associated Press, is ordering the Illinois State Police to release the names of FOID holders to the press.

If you have not already heard this news, let that sink in for a few seconds. This is information that the Illinois State Police have held in confidence for over 40 years.

This would mean the release of your name, as a FOID holder. If you have a unique name, and an anti-gun employer, your job will be at risk.

Perhaps you are a collector, will you be targeted for your firearms collection? Will violent criminals be able to determine which households don’t have firearms for protection?

Lisa Madigan is no friend to firearms owners, she thinks that you need to have your name published to punish you for being a law-abiding gun owner.

There is pending legislation in the Illinois House and the Illinois Senate that would forever keep your FOID information private.

WHAT YOU MUST DO TO PREVENT THE RELEASE OF YOUR FOID INFORMATION:

1. Call your state representative starting as soon as your receive this alert and urge him or her to support and co-sponsor House Bill 7 – FOID Holder Privacy. Remember that you will likely be talking your representative’s secretary, they are there doing a job that can be challenging at times: please be kind and direct. If you do now know who your state representative is, go to the following web site and follow the directions for looking up your legislators: Illinois State Board of Elections. If you know who your State Representative is, you can look up the phone numbers of their Springfield and district offices right from the ISRA’s legislative page.
2. Then call your state senator and urge him or her to support and co-sponsor Senate Bill 27 – FOID Holder Privacy. Again, you will likely be talking the secretary. Find your State Senator at: Illinois State Board of Elections. If you know who your State Senator is, the ISRA has a page where you can look up their phone number.
3. Pass the link to this article on to all your friends and family, ask them to make calls as well.
4. Please post this article to any and all blogs and bulletin boards to which you may belong.

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- There have been times I have had people say to me, “Does it really make a difference marching at IGOLD to the capitol”?

I have an answer for you. Yes it does!

Have you ever had a conversation with someone about a hot topic and had them say that too bad we couldn’t get enough people together to have a demonstration or something? I’m sure we all have had that experience.

Now we all know conceal carry is a hot topic in the state of Illinois, knowing that pretty soon we will be the only state without it!

The difference here is we do have a very well organized demonstration every year. Yes, you ask about a march or something, but do you take the time needed when it is organized to make sure you are a participant? People take days off from work for many reasons, sometimes just to be lazy for a day. But do they take one day out of their year to be pro-active in a demonstration to help fight for the cause? Somehow, to some people, it doesn’t seem worth it!

It is there, it is organized for them, bus transportation is provided, they are in the company of thousands of others just like them, but it’s not worth it?

If you were traveling alone to Springfield, no one would even know you are there, except you and the legislators you visit. When IGOLD goes down there the whole town knows we are there, even TV stations from central Illinois are present. I believe & I know it makes one hell of an impact! So please give me one sensible reason you are not going with us?

What if there was no IGOLD day? What if seven to ten thousand people didn’t show up? What if there was no unified support held like this for conceal carry? Do you think for one minute the legislators would even think that you as an Illinois citizen cares whether we have conceal carry or not? I don’t think so! You see it always takes grass roots to accomplish something and if the legislators look out their window and there is no grass on the front steps of the capitol, it’s just another day.

So c’mon folks—it’s there and it’s waiting for you to join in! Are you going to just leave it up to the rest of the gun owners of Illinois to fight for you?

If you cannot possibly make it fine, but if you can and you didn’t, I hope that the inner voice you hear all day that you didn’t do your part, weighs on your mind. IGOLD does make a BIG difference! It’s time to jump on the bus and make the chant ‘CONCEAL CARRY NOW” all the louder this year in Springfield.

Plan to be in Springfield on Thursday, March 10!

The event begins at the Prairie Capital Convention Center at 8th St and Adams, the doors open at 10:30 am, and the event starts at 11:45 AM. From there we march to the State Capitol (with transportation for those who can’t walk that far, a little less than a mile) and rally on the Capitol Steps.

IGOLD Updates:
Ride easy! If you don’t want to drive, a fleet of charter buses will be arriving in Springfield from all corners of the state. On-line reservations are available! New for 2011: Buses from Lombard and Woodstock!

Show your support! IGOLD Hats and new 2011 IGOLD T-shirts and Hoodies are available at IGOLD.isra.org! Check out the special IGOLD raffle for the Loaded Black Stainless 1911 from Springfield Armory!

Volunteers needed: With a rally this large, IGOLD volunteers are essential to the success of the event. Have you been to IGOLD before? Be a guide for those who are attending for the first time. If you have been a volunteer before, please volunteer again! Find out more here.

IGOLD is sponsored by the Illinois State Rifle Association, dedicated to education, safety training and support of Illinois firearm owners. The ISRA is also partnering with IllinoisCarry.com, Guns Save Life and Sangamon County Rifle Association and other pro-Second Amendment organizations in Illinois to make our voices heard in Springfield.

ISRA needs your continued support. McDonald v Chicago was not the end of the fight but the beginning. The ISRA is the front line in the battles for your firearm rights here in Illinois, such as securing your Right To Carry.

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Last year the ISRA won McDonald v Chicago. This year, with your assistance, it will be concealed carry!

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- We need your help, now more than ever.

We need everyone concerned with firearm rights in Springfield on March 10th for our Gun Owners Lobby Day, (IGOLD)!

Each year we have built on the success of previous’ years events and this year promises to be the biggest and best ever IGOLD. We are growing towards 10,000 people! Don’t sit home, we need you there!

With the major wins of Heller v DC and McDonald V Chicago, added into the recent midterm elections, the political tide is changing, but as close as we are, we can’t get concealed carry legislation passed in Illinois without your help.

We need you, your friends, your relatives, anyone that agrees with you that “It’s Time” for concealed carry in Illinois. In 48 states private citizens currently enjoy the ability to carry a defensive firearm outside their home.

Wisconsin, where it is legal to openly carry firearms, has a new Governor and their legislature has made it clear that they will pass concealed carry this session. That will make 49 states where the concealed carry of firearms for personal defense is legal.

“It’s Time” that Illinois ends its ban on the ability of its honest law abiding citizens to carry the same firearms. Criminals have had the advantage long enough as they have been carrying concealed in Illinois for ages! The law abiding should not be put at a deadly disadvantage because of convoluted political rhetoric.

Join me in Springfield on March 10th. Once you get there, (buses are available from all corners of the state), we’ll show you the who, what and where you need to know to effectively lobby your own state representative and state senator!

I’m looking forward to seeing you there and with all of your help, this will be the year that Illinois joins the rest of the country in celebrating the Second Amendment’s right to carry!

Stay tuned for important IGOLD information.

Respectfully,

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- ISRA is proud to sponsor IGOLD 2011 Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day

Mark your calendars and reserve the day off now!!

All Illinois gun owners are invited to join in Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day (IGOLD) in Springfield in 2011. This is the very important event where gun owners individually lobby their representatives in the Illinois House and Senate.

Ride easy! A fleet of charter buses will be arriving in Springfield from all corners of the state ­­- Online reservations available beginning Jan. 18, 2011.

More IGOLD Resources, t-shirts, and links available soon at IGOLD.isra.org!

Please join us for Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day, you won’t regret it.
If you’ve never been there before, make this your year!

IGOLD is sponsored by the Illinois State Rifle Association, dedicated to education, safety training and support of Illinois firearm owners. The ISRA is also partnering with IllinoisCarry.com, Champaign County Rifle Association and Sangamon County Rifle Association and other pro-Second Amendment organizations in Illinois to make our voices heard in Springfield.

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Gun Control Liars

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- Although the trend against draconian firearm rights infringements is in our favor, we must keep the pressure on while the anti’s are on their heels.

While the ISRA wages uphill battles against long entrenched institutional bias against firearm owners in Illinois, the anti-rights push back, harder and more arrogantly than ever.

Political corruption is nothing new to the Chicago area, it began in the levee district in the 1890s and has had over 120 years to flourish. The courts though, are supposed to be the place where every person gets their chance at unbiased justice. The Constitution should prevail, not money or political affiliations, or myths like gun control that distract the people from the real problems that are more difficult to solve.

Of course here in Northeastern Illinois, its easier to blame the lawful gun owner, especially if you are allowed to rewrite history by making up false quotes and other false information credited to historic court decisions.

The ISRA for over 100 years has walked the walk and fought the fight. It is noble and true to course and will let no stone go unturned in the battle to re-establish the firearm rights for all Illinoisans.

Fighting these battles on so many fronts, education, legislatively, and through litigation is costly. The opposition has unfettered wealth behind it. Bloomberg, Joyce Foundation etc. have millions and millions of dollars to throw against us. They’ll do anything to keep the gun control myth alive and distract us from societies real problems, the problems that their political cronies have failed to address resulting in defenseless sheeple who are victimized daily.

Take a few minutes to listen to this recording from a recent online NRA show, where the NRA’s Illinois Lobbyist, Todd Vandermyde speaks about briefs filed in the Wilson et v Cook County et al suit by the Cook County States Attorney’s office.

Mr. Wilson is challenging the so called Cook County Assault weapons ban with the ISRA’s financial support.

The Appellate Court’s answer to the Plaintiffs’ motion to strike the fabricated quote of Heller by the Cook County States Attorneys???

DENIED!!!

If this report doesn’t make you ANGRY and MAD, what will it take? The ISRA doesn’t have millionaires financing its fight, it only has regular people concerned with their rights and the government’s denial of them.

Please donate today to help ISRA keep the pressure on, the pressure we brought when we were plaintiffs in McDonald v Chicago, the pressure that our four lobbyists are putting on Springfield, the pressure that Mr. Wilson is putting on Cook County, help us WIN THIS FIGHT!

Don’t forget to forward this to all your friends and family, repost it to bulletin boards, even hang it in your favorite firearms or outdoors store. We need everyone on board and in the fight! Everyone on your feet, get into the fight, we can no longer afford the luxury of even one single person sitting on the sidelines!

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- Next Week at the ISRA Range near Kankakee, Dec 13-17, 2010:

TCTI Semi-Auto Firearms Instructor Course

This is a 5-day Firearms Instructor Course designed to educate attendees as instructors in training with the semi-automatic pistol. Classroom time, lectures and range training will be included in the 40-hour program.

This course is designed with instructor development as the primary focus for the firearms instructor. Classroom training familiarizes personnel with a suggested course format for pistol training.

Training suitable for instructors for the Chicago Firearms Permit.

Featuring instructors from the Total Control Training Institute & Defensive Tactics Excellence League

Download the flyer for more info!

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- On the federal side, gun owners did quite well here in Illinois.

ISRA FEDPAC preferred and endorsed Congressional candidates Joe Walsh (8th), Randy Hultgren (14th) and Bobby Schilling (17th) replaced anti-gunners Bean, Foster and Hare, moving the entire Illinois delegation much more into the pro-gun camp. (The results in the 8th District race are very close and Rep. Bean has not conceded)

In Illinois races, the majority of ISRA-PVF endorsed and preferred candidates were victorious in their respective races. Even in cases where our preferred candidates lost, they were quite often defeated by candidates who are equally pro-gun.

The race for governor is a different matter. At present, Pat Quinn has an 8400 vote lead over Bill Brady for Governor of Illinois. While the ISRA-PVF endorsed Brady/Plummer campaign has stated they will continue until every vote is counted, if this lead holds up, the next four years in Illinois are going to be difficult to pass pro-Second Amendment initiatives.

Indeed, the ISRA will again be working to keep the gun control movement at bay at the same time.

Even though Mayor Daley is retiring, we can expect the Chicago machine to continue to call for bans on common sporting rifles and other restrictive laws designed solely to limit legal firearm ownership. We must prepare for the 2011 legislative session now, it’s only a couple of months away. The Illinois State Rifle Association will push forward with Concealed Carry, State Preemption legislation and other measures to preserve and restore your Second Amendment rights.

To continue the fight, your help is needed. This has been a long and expensive war on your rights and we need funds to continue to fight the upcoming battles in Springfield. Help the ISRA help you. Please make a generous donation to the ISRA legislative fund by clicking here to access our e-commerce site.

Remember IGOLD is Thursday, March 10 next year, mark your calendar, and please make every effort to attend. If you have never been to IGOLD before, make 2011 your year! Stay tuned for more IGOLD info!

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- Today is Election Day, cast your ballot and protect your freedoms.

If you are unsure of your polling place, please call your local county clerk’s office, they can direct you to the proper place.

The ISRA-PVF and the ISRA-FedPac have issued their endorsements and we hope you will support their candidates.

No matter who you chose to vote for, it is your right and your responsibility to vote your conscience today.

Remember, at least 90% of your influence in the legislature, ends at the end of election day.Don’t count on anyone else, get out and vote, and make sure that all of your loved ones and friends do the same!

Respectfully,

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- The ISRA is calling upon all lawful American firearm owners to stop doing business with AON Corporation and its subsidiaries.

This call for a boycott comes after published reports disclosed that AON is bankrolling a fundraiser for the political arm of the nation’s most radical gun control organization.

Not only is the fundraiser being financed by AON, it is also being held in a posh club atop AON’s Chicago headquarters.

The October 4th event, which AON will hold on behalf of the “Brady Campaign Against Gun Violence,” will raise money to fund the Brady Campaign’s efforts to impose severe restrictions on citizens’ 2nd Amendment rights. Such restrictions include bans on civilian ownership of handguns, target rifles, and popular hunting firearms. The Brady organization also seeks to shutter small firearm retailers and prohibit law-abiding citizens from using firearms to protect their homes and their families.

“By financing the Brady event, AON has delivered a slap to the faces of millions of law-abiding firearm owners,” said ISRA Executive Director, Richard Pearson.

“With AON’s financial muscle behind them, the Bradys will redouble their efforts to vilify and marginalize the nation’s lawful firearm owners and, ultimately, push for the banning and confiscation of lawfully acquired rifles, pistols and shotguns.”

“Many of the nation’s firearm owners hold personal and business insurance policies with AON,” continued Pearson.

AON Insurance Products

“Many others who own small and medium-sized businesses employ Hewitt to manage their employee benefit programs. I’m calling upon the nation’s firearm owners who are AON/Hewitt customers to reconsider who they choose to do business with. There are plenty of other insurance companies and employee benefit managers out there to choose from who are not in bed with the people who are trying to take guns away from lawful citizens. AON cares more about collecting premiums than they care about respecting constitutional rights. Gun owners should give AON the boot, today!”

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- Your Illinois State Rifle Association has been named Outstanding State Association for 2009 by the National Rifle Association of America.

ISRA President Don Moran commented:

“This prestigious award is due to the hard work and dedication that continues to allow the ISRA to remain a preeminent leader in the fight for firearms rights across Illinois and the United States.”

Don Moran and ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson received this award last night, Friday, Sept 10, at NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia, on behalf of the ISRA, its members, officers and directors.

Upon receiving word earlier this year that the ISRA was a recipient of this award, Richard Pearson noted:

“This award also pays homage to the many dozens of volunteers who make ISRA’s shooting sports programs some of the best in the Nation, and even the world.

Your dedication to the sport has opened up countless shooting opportunities to a whole new generation of enthusiasts.

Your continued service will ensure that both competitive and recreational shooting remain one of the safest and most rewarding of America’s pastimes.”

Illinois State Rifle Association Awarded 'Outstanding State Association' by NRA

Join ISRA
ISRA needs your continued support in order to remain the strong defender of your right to keep and bears arms. McDonald v Chicago was not the end of the fight but the beginning. The ISRA continues the fight for your firearm rights here in Illinois, with additional federal litigation against the City of Chicago.

Please make a donation on-line here , or over the phone at 815-635-3198. If you would like to mail or fax a donation, we have a printable form here .

If you’re not an ISRA member, now is the time. You can join on-line , or over the phone at 815-635-3198. You can download a printable application form here .

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois Hard Dogs Shooting Team On Target At Camp Perry

ArmaLite Inc

Geneseo, IL – (Ammoland.com)- ArmaLite is pleased to announce the great Camp Perry success of the Illinois Hard Dogs!

The Hard Dogs are the junior high power rifle team of the Illinois State Rifle Association. The team is made up of young people ages 13 to 19 from around Illinois.

This 2010 Hard Dogs team had a strong showing at the CMP National Trophy Matches at Camp Perry. Hard Dogs finished as high as 8th place in the Junior Aggregate out of 204 competitors. One Hard Dog earned his first 10 leg points towards the Distinguished Rifleman’s Badge.

Two of the Hard Dogs’ two-person teams received medals in the Freedom’s Fire Match. Our six-person infantry team was the second highest junior team and tenth overall in the National Trophy Infantry Team Match, beating some of the top teams from the US military.

Best of all, every one of the ten Hard Dogs that competed in the nationals wants to go back next year!

You can learn more about the Hard Dogs at their web site: www.isra.org/juniors/

ArmaLite is a proud sponsor of the 2010 Hard Dogs. Our donation of an M-15 National Match rifle helped raise more than $10,000 in the Hard Dogs’ annual Camp Perry raffle. Several other firearms manufacturers, including Geneseo’s Springfield Armory, also made generous donations to the raffle. Raffle proceeds help pay for rifle maintenance, ammunition, entry fees and the cost of lodging at Camp Perry.

Go Hard Dogs!

About:
ArmaLite has one of the broadest product lines in the firearms industry. We manufacture and sell semiautomatic rifles in a variety of calibers including 5.56mm and 7.62mm, long range super-accurate bolt action rifles in calibers including .308 Winchester, 300 Winchester, 338 Lapua, and 50 BMG, and classic 9mm pistols. Visit: www.armalite.com

Anti-Gun Congressman Mike Quigley

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois - -(AmmoLand.com)- Rabidly anti-gun Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-5) will be holding a public hearing on a bill he has co-sponsored that would put gun shows under the supervision of the federal government.

The bill, HR 2324, would subject gun show hosts to a slew of pointless, time consuming regulations in addition to heaping all sorts of red tape and record keeping requirements on gun show hosts and participants.

The ultimate goal of Quigley’s bill is to make hosting a gun show too much of a hassle to endure. As a result, this bill would quickly make gun shows disappear all together.

It should be noted that Congressman Mark Kirk (IL-10) is another co-sponsor of this slap to the face of the 2nd Amendment.

Things You Need To Do To Save Gun Shows:

1. Attend the hearing on HR 2324. The hearing will take place on Thursday, August 19, at 9:00 AM at the Dirksen Federal Building, 219 South Dearborn, Room 2510, Chicago. Be advised that the Dirksen building is a secure facility. You will have to go through a metal detector to get in. So, make sure your pockets are empty of anything that could get you in trouble. Do not do or say anything that could get you in trouble. When you get to the hearing, politely express your disapproval of HR 2324.
2. Contact your federal representative and politely tell him or her that you are a law-abiding firearm owner and that you oppose HR 2324 and that you would like them to vote NO on the bill should it reach the House floor. (Find your Representative: IL State Board of Elections)
3. Circulate this alert to all your gun owning friends and family. Tell them to show up at the hearing as well.
4. Please post links this article to all internet blogs and bulletin boards to which you belong.
5. Donate generously to the ISRA.
6. Remember, gun control is a disease – and you’re the cure!

ISRA needs your continued support. McDonald v Chicago was not the end of the fight but the beginning. The ISRA continues the fight for your firearm rights here in Illinois, with additional federal litigation against the City of Chicago.

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Second Amendment Foundation

CHICAGO, IL --(Ammoland.com)- The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) today filed a lawsuit in federal court against the City of Chicago’s new gun ordinance, asserting that “by banning gun ranges open to the public under color of law,” the city is depriving citizens of their right to keep and bear arms in violation of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Joining SAF in this lawsuit are the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA), Action Target, Inc., and three individual plaintiffs including a retired Chicago police detective. They are represented by attorneys Alan Gura of Virginia and David Sigale of Chicago, who teamed up with SAF and ISRA on the landmark case of McDonald v. City of Chicago, which incorporated the Second Amendment to the states, effectively striking down Chicago’s 28-year-old handgun ban.

“While the city has adopted new regulations that make it legal to own handguns,” said SAF Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb, “they have crafted this new ordinance to make it virtually impossible for prospective gun owners to meet all legal requirements unless they travel outside the city for mandatory training. The new ordinance prohibits public gun ranges inside the city yet the city demands that handgun owners get at least one hour of range training time.

“This is a Catch-22′ scenario,” he continued, “that seems deliberately designed to discourage Chicago residents from exercising their firearm civil rights barely two months after those rights were restored by the Supreme Court.”

Individual plaintiffs are Rhonda Ezell, a victim of three attempted burglaries who has disabilities making it difficult for her to travel outside the city; Joseph Brown, a WWII U.S. Army veteran who was among the liberators of the infamous Dachau concentration camp, and William Hespen, a retired police detective, all of whom must qualify for Chicago Firearms Permits.

Action Target, a Utah-based company, builds shooting ranges and manufactures gun range equipment and supplies. It has a long history of providing gun safety equipment and training, and has previously built law enforcement shooting ranges in Chicago. However, Action Target is prohibited from building a public target range within the city’s limits under the restrictions of the new gun ordinance.

Randy Graham, vice president of Action Target, said, “We believe that citizens have a constitutional right to use and train with firearms in a safe and controlled environment. As a leader in the firearms training industry, Action Target is committed to standing up for these rights.”

“By banning public gun ranges,” Gottlieb said, “and by banning the loan and rental of firearms at such ranges, Chicago is acting under color of law to deprive citizens of their right to keep and bear arms, and to conveniently receive the education required under the ordinance that is necessary to obtain a Chicago Firearms Permit. The city is violating both the Second and First amendments, and we are asking the court to put an end to this nonsense.”

About:
The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control. SAF has previously funded successful firearms-related suits against the cities of Los Angeles; New Haven, CT; and San Francisco on behalf of American gun owners, a lawsuit against the cities suing gun makers and an amicus brief and fund for the Emerson case holding the Second Amendment as an individual right.

Illinois State Rifle Association

CHICAGO, ILL --(AmmoLand.com)- The following was released by the ISRA Political Victory Fund (ISRA-PVF):

Law-abiding Illinois firearm owners are under a renewed attack by Gov. Pat Quinn’s re-election campaign. After receiving the endorsement of a radical gun control group last week, Quinn’s campaign is now the apparent mastermind of a plan to place a referendum on the November ballot that would call for the banning of a wide variety of popular hunting and target firearms.

Petition documents filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections show the title of the proposed referendum as being “Petition to Ban the Sale on Semi-Automatic and Assault Weapons.” Notarized signatures on over 100 pages of petitions show one “Maz Jackson” as being the petition circulator. Maz Jackson is a top field operative for the Quinn gubernatorial re-election campaign.

“It appears that Pat Quinn plans to attack hunters and sportsmen from every angle,” commented ISRA-PVF spokesman, Richard Pearson.

“First he throws in with the likes of gun control extremists Jim and Sarah Brady, and now his campaign staff is circulating petitions seeking to ban most of the privately owned firearms in the state.

Once again, Pat Quinn has shown himself to be more in step with Mayor Daley and the Chicago power structure than he is with the vast majority of Illinois citizens.”

The ISRA-PVF is a political action committee affiliated with the Illinois State Rifle Association. Donations to the ISRA-PVF are not tax deductible. A copy of our report is available for a fee from the Illinois State Board of Elections, Springfield, IL