URGENT ALERT: ANTI-GUN CONGRESSMAN TO HOLD HEARINGS ADVOCATING FEDERAL CLAMP DOWN ON GUN SHOWS

From the Illinois State Rifle Association:

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 this alert to all internet blogs and bulletin boards to which you belong.

5. Donate generously to the ISRA.

Remember, gun control is a disease – and you’re the cure!

-Bob

Governor Quinn Steps Up Attacks On Law-Abiding Firearm Owners

From the Illinois State Rifle Association:

CHICAGO, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today 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

-Bob

URGENT ALERT: SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE TO DECLARE THIS WEEK AS “GUN CONTROL WEEK” IN THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

It appears that the Peoples Republic of Chicago Criminal Empowerment Program is at it again.  From the Illinois State Rifle Association:

According to information obtained by the ISRA, the gun control movement plans a final, all-out push to destroy your rights and take your guns away from you this week in the Illinois General Assembly. Under orders from Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, Speaker of the House Mike Madigan may require that the House of Representatives remain in session until it passes Daley’s 2010 gun control package. Among the bills that Daley has demanded that Madigan get passed are the following:

HB180 – a scheme to run gun shops out of business by forcing shops to get licensed and comply with a slew of burdensome regulations.

HB5480 – would ban private firearm sales and force citizens to process private sales through licensed gun shops. (Yes, those are the same gun shops that will be run out of business by HB180 above)

HB5495 – would prohibit law-abiding citizens from purchasing more than one gun per month. Of course, criminals are exempt from this gun-rationing scheme.

HB5751 – would give you 90 days to surrender all your semiautomatic rifles, pistols and shotguns to the state police or face felony prison time.

HB5849 – would make it a felony to use a case other than one designed for a firearm to transport it and give the police greater power to confiscate your guns for “improper transportation” even if you have committed no other crime.

HB6123 – would make it a felony to sell a firearm to someone who looks like a gang member (ie: Black, Hispanic, shaved heads (all races), tattoos (all races), motorcyclists (all races), etc.)

Daley wants these bills passed once and for all before the McDonald v Chicago decision is handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court later this summer. He will spare no expense or dirty trick to get these bills passed THIS WEEK.

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO SAVE YOUR GUNS:

1. Phone your State Representative and politely tell him/her that you do not support any of the bills above or any other gun control legislation and that you’d appreciate it if they would vote against all gun control legislation. If you do not know how to contact your legislator, then follow this link: Illinois State Board of Elections website.

2. Copy this alert and send it to all your friends and tell them to act today!

3. Please post this alert to any and all internet blogs and bulletin boards to which you may belong.

4. The ISRA needs to raise $150,000 by July 4th in order to defray expenses of fighting Daley in the General Assembly. That is why we badly need your financial support. Please make agenerous donation today, or over the phone at 815-635-3198. If you would like to mail or fax a donation, we have a printable form here .

Gunowners must stay organized and informed. Being a member of the ISRA is the best way to achieve that. If you're not an ISRA member, you can join on-line , or over the phone at 815-635-3198. You can download a printable application form here .

-Bob

ALERT - CHICAGO POLITICIANS INTENT ON BANNING YOUR GUNS AND DRIVING OUT ILLINOIS BUSINESSES

From the Illinois State Rifle Association:

Despite the economic crisis, Chicago legislators are determined to pass laws that would drive out dozens of Illinois businesses and cost countless Illinois jobs.

This isn't a new tax, this is another attempt by Mayor Daley and his puppets to ban so-called 'assault weapons', semi-automatic firearms common in both competitive target shooting and home defense.

Daley's water bearer Rep. Acevedo introduced HB5751. This bill would ban virtually any semi-automatic firearm that accepts a magazine, but also bans the manufacturing of the guns and their components, putting the jobs of countless Illinois workers in danger as their employers will be forced to either close their doors or move out of state.

To emphasize just how desperate the gun banners are in their efforts to disarm you, to restrict your firearm rights, HB5751 would requires you to register with the Illinois State Police most of your existing guns and magazines with 'proof of ownership'. Did you keep the receipt for that 20 round magazine you picked up at the show 10 years ago? No? You would have to turn it in to the police or become a felon.

HB5751 has already passed out of the House Executive Committee and is headed for a fight on the House floor.

Now is the time to ACT to keep your firearms:

1. Call your state representative starting Tuesday, March 23, ask them to OPPOSE HB5751. You can find contact info for your representative right from the ISRA's legislative page. If you're not sure who your representative is, please find out at the Illinois State Board of Elections.
2. Pass this alert on to all your friends and family, ask them to make calls as well.
3. Please post this alert to any and all blogs and bulletin boards to which you may belong.

Remember to be polite, you will likely speak with the representative's secretary that may not share the same political views as those she works for.  Phone calls are more effective if made between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, when the phones are staffed.

The ISRA will continue to advocate for YOUR rights as firearm owners and citizens but it does not have the support of taxpayer dollars or the Joyce Foundation like the anti-gun efforts have. If you are an ISRA member, we need your continued support. 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.

-Bob

ALERT - QUESTION: WHEN IS A GUN CASE NOT A GUN CASE?

ANSWER:  When Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez says it's not.

In October, 2009 the Illinois Supreme Court ruled on Illinois v Diggins where the court determined that the center console in a vehicle counts as a 'case' under Illinois law.  In response, Rep. Harry Osterman (D-14) filed HB5849 to change the law and nullify the court's decision. 

How they plan to do this is to add language specifying that the case your firearm is in needs to be specifically designed for the transportation or storage of firearms.  Doesn't sound like a problem, does it?  Why would a person oppose such a 'reasonable', 'common-sense' change? 

Why? Because, in the finest tradition of 'gun control' bills, this one includes subjective and loaded language designed to trip up firearm owners and put them at the mercy of prosecutors.  The full language of the change is a case 'designed for the SAFE transportation of firearms'. 

Safe?  What does that mean?  Is a zippered, nylon case from your local sporting goods store considered 'safe'?  Not if this bill passes!  Does it have to be a hard case? Plastic? Metal?  Does it require a lock?  Do you really want that decision to be in the hands of the office that supports the Chicago handgun ban? 

Please call your state representative this week starting Thursday morning and ask them to OPPOSE HB5849.

Remember to be polite, you will likely speak with the representative's secretary that may not share the same political views as those she works for.  Phone calls are more effective if made between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, increasing the chance your call will be answered in person.

You can find contact info for your representative right from the ISRA's legislative page.  If you're not sure who your representative is, please find out at the Illinois State Board of Elections.

You can find up-to-date information on  this bill as well as the ISRA's stance on other bills at the ISRA Legislation page.

The ISRA will continue to advocate for YOUR rights as firearm owners and citizens  but it does not have the support of taxpayer dollars or the Joyce Foundation like the anti-gun efforts have. If you are an ISRA member, we need your continued support. 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. Even better would be to sign up friends and/or family members with gift memberships.

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.

Please post this alert to all internet blogs, bulletin and message boards to which you belong. Pass this alert on to your gun owning friends and fellow sporting club members. You can also join us on our FaceBook page or Twitter along with hundreds of other fellow firearm enthusiasts.

URGENT ALERT - YOUR IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED - HB180

ISRA URGENT ALERT - YOUR IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

DALEY FORCES LAUNCH RENEWED ATTACK ON YOUR GUN RIGHTS
LATEST EFFORT WOULD SHUT DOWN ALL GUN SHOPS
 

Late last week, Daley sympathizers in the Illinois House passed HB180 out of the Rules Committee and on to the floor of the House. A vote on HB 180 is expected as early as this coming Tuesday.

Should you be worried about HB 180? ABSOLUTELY!

HB 180 would include the following:

1. Require all Illinois gun shops to secure a license to operate issued by the Illinois State Police. Under this bill, the State Police may issue a license to a gun shop and would establish all rules and regulations required to keep the license. You know what that means either nobody would be granted a license, or those who did get licenses would be so burdened by regulations that they could not make a profit.
BOTTOM LINE: HB 180 would shut down all gun shops in Illinois.

2. HB 180 requires that all your gun purchases be registered with the state police.
BOTTOM LINE: HB 180 is a licensing/registration scheme designed to keep track of how many guns you own so they may be easily confiscated at a later date.

3. HB 180 allows any police officer in the state go to any gun shop in the state to conduct so-called record reviews.
BOTTOM LINE: The Chicago CAGE Unit could, and would, inspect gun shops across the state doing these record reviews. Shop owners, no matter where they are located, would be forced to cooperate with the CAGE unit or lose their licenses. The true purpose of these visits is to cost gun shops time and money and ultimately cause them to go out of business.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SAVE YOUR GUNS:

1. Starting Monday morning, call your State Representative and politely tell him/her that you oppose HB 180 and that you would like to see him/her vote against the bill when it comes to the House Floor. 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 here.

2. Pass this alert on to all your friends and family, ask them to make calls as well.

3. Please post this alert to any and all blogs and bulletin boards to which you may belong.

Thanks in advance for your help in this matter. The future of lawful gun ownership in Illinois depends on you!

ALERT - Supreme Court Case on Chicago Handgun Ban

From the Illinois State Rifle Association:

Yesterday the City of Chicago filed their brief in response in the US Supreme Court case brought by the Illinois State Rifle Association. The case, McDonald v Chicago, seeks to overturn Chicago's handgun ban and punitive registration process.

This is the most important case in U.S. history concerning the Second Amendment and it is the ISRA's case.  Can state and local governments take away your Second Amendment Rights? Or is the Right to Keep and Bear Arms so fundamental that it is protected by being incorporated against the states through the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution? Without going into a bunch of legal language, Chicago's brief is their attempt make sure that the handgun ban lives on.

These are the next steps in this case:

1. Our reply to what Chicago just submitted is due January 29.
2. Oral Arguments in the case have been scheduled for March 2.
3. The court is expected to deliver a decision near the end of June.

The outcome of this case is expected to affect the status of the Second Amendment across the nation. If we win, it does not mean that the fight is over, it means that next phase of the fight has begun.

The City of Chicago is using tax dollars pay for the defense in this case, in order to keep preventing its residents being able to have effective self-defense at home. Of course, no tax payer monies are being used to defend your Second Amendment rights! The legal effort behind the McDonald case is paid for privately.

The ISRA needs your support and your contributions to keep this case, and the inevitable follow-up cases, moving forward.

Now is the time. If you are an ISRA member, we need your continued support. 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.

Now is the time. If you're not an ISRA member, join NOW and ride with us into history. You'll be able to say "I was an ISRA member when WE overthrew the Chicago handgun ban and forever changed the gun control debate!" You can join on-line, or over the phone at 815-635-3198. You can download a printable application form here.

Post this alert to all internet blogs and bulletin boards to which you belong. Also, pass this alert on to your gun owning friends and fellow sporting club members. Ask them to forward this alert to their friend far and wide. Although the suit targets the local ordinance in Chicago, the implications of incorporation of the 2nd Amendment are national in scope.

-Bob

ISRA-PVF Alert: JIM RYAN DECLARES WAR ON LAW-ABIDING ILLINOIS GUN OWNERS

ISRA-PVF URGENT ALERT: JIM RYAN DECLARES WAR ON LAW-ABIDING ILLINOIS GUN OWNERS

In an Associated Press wire story released yesterday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Ryan pledged to sign a ban on "Assault Weapons" and promised to veto any "Concealed Carry" legislation that reaches his desk. In making these pronouncements, Jim Ryan was very clear that he would wholeheartedly support legislation that would result in the ban and confiscation of most of the guns in your safe. You would have two choices – either surrender your banned firearms to the police, or the police will be kicking down your door to take them. Ryan could not have made the point any clearer. Ryan was equally clear about your right to defend yourself. By pledging to veto concealed carry legislation, Ryan is telling you that he would rather see you unarmed, being beaten and humiliated by a gang of hooligans than to see you with a gun in your hand. Ryan also has a message for your wife, your mother, your daughter, your girlfriend. That message is that he would rather see her laying dead in an alley with her pantyhose knotted around her neck than to see her with a gun in her hand. Ryan could not have made the point any clearer. Just as he did in the 2002 gubernatorial race, Jim Ryan has proven himself to be cut from the same cloth as Chicago Democrats such as Richie Daley, Barack Obama, and Rod Blagojevich. Any gun owner who would vote for Jim Ryan has to be out of his or her mind. Please forward this alert to all your gun owning friends. Please post this alert to any and all blogs or bulletin boards to which you belong. Please make a promise to yourself, right now, this moment, that you will not let yourself be pushed around and lied to by guys like Jim Ryan. Readers can find the AP wire story here. - - - 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 may be obtained for a fee from the Illinois State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois. This alert paid for by the ISRA-PVF.

URGENT ALERT – YOUR ACTION REQUIRED - DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE – McGUIRE IS DEFINITELY ANTI-GUN

Thanks to all of you who called the campaign offices of Dianne McGuire to demand an explanation of her anti-gun views, including campaign worker promises to close down Naperville Sportsmen’s Club “. . .once and for all.”

Based on the feedback we got from many of you callers, the McGuire staff was generally rude to you and claimed that they, the McGuire staff, are actually NRA members and that the ISRA-PVF is lying about McGuire’s stance on guns.

The real truth is that McGuire has been running on an anti-gun platform. Here is what we know to be the facts:

1. McGuire campaign literature says she supports a ban on so called “assault weapons.” Well, as most of you know, these bans on “assault weapons” include provisions to ban and confiscate all semiautomatic rifles, shotguns, and pistols. Such legislation also includes licensing and registration of all guns and gun owners. Any person who supports an “assault” weapon ban is, by definition, “anti-gun.” McGuire is anti-gun.


2. McGuire’s campaign literature bashes her opponent, Darlene Senger, for supporting laws that would allow law-abiding citizens to carry defensive firearms to protect themselves and their families from violent criminals. McGuire’s apparent opposition to Concealed Carry definitely paints her as anti-gun.


3. The ISRA-PVF has it on very good authority that McGuire campaign workers have been telling Naperville residents that McGuire will use the Illinois EPA and State Police to shut down the Naperville Sportsmen’s Club. McGuire’s own web site makes note that she is an active member of the Naperville League of Women Voters. Many of you may know that the Naperville League of Women Voters has spearheaded persistent campaigns to shut the sportsmen’s club down. The League has compared trapshooting activities at the sportsmen’s club to gang activities at the Cabrini Green housing project. The connection between McGuire and the League of Women Voters is clear.


4. McGuire has been endorsed by Sarah Brady and Handgun Control Incorporated (http://www.bradycampaign.org/media/release.php?release=1038) Only anti-gunners like Dianne McGuire get endorsed by the Bradys.

So, today, we are asking you to once again take action to preserve and protect your right to keep and bear arms. . .

1. If you have previously called the McGuire campaign office, and have been told that McGuire is not anti-gun and that the ISRA-PVF is lying, then please call the McGuire campaign office once again at (630) 579-6696 and tell the person who answers firmly, yet politely, that you do not appreciate being lied to and that you know the facts and those facts indicate that McGuire is antigun. Suggest to the person that McGuire read the U.S. Supreme Court’s Heller Decision so that she may come to the understanding that the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees the INDIVIDUAL right to keep and bear arms and that individual right shall not be infringed through banning guns or shutting down shooting facilities.


2. Please distribute this alert to all your firearm owning friends.


3. Please post this alert to any and all Internet blogs or message boards to which you may belong.


4. If you know people who live in the 96th House District, encourage them to vote for Darlene Senger – a true friend to the hunter and sportsman.


5. Visit the ISRA-PVF web site, www.isra-pvf.com, to keep up to date with election developments in the state.

_ _ _

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 may be obtained for a fee from the Illinois State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois.

ISRA-PVF: URGENT ALERT FOR ALL GUN OWNERS EVERYWHERE – YOUR IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

Mayor Daley’s band of antigunners is on the move in the Western Suburbs.

Dianne McGuire, Democratic candidate for the 96th District House seat, is distributing flyers promising to ban and confiscate your semiautomatic rifles, shotguns and handguns.

McGuire’s campaign personnel are also telling citizens that McGuire will, “Shut the Naperville Sportsmen’s Club down – once and for all.”

All gun owners from across Illinois, and across the nation, must band together to put a stop to Dianne McGuire.

Here is what you need to do to help save your guns.

1. Whether you live in the 96th District or not, be sure to contact that McGuire campaign headquarters at (630) 579-6696 and tell the person who answers the phone that anti-gun nonsense will not be tolerated. Remind them of what the 2nd Amendment says. Remind them that the Heller decision confirms that law-abiding citizens have an innate right to keep and bear arms. Tell the person who answers the phone that McGuire must end her attacks on law-abiding gun owners and end her plan to close down the Naperville Sportsmen’s Club.
2. Visit the ISRA-PVF web site at http://www.isra-pvf.com to learn how you can help pro-gun candidates.
3. Whether you live in the 96th District or not, be sure to visit the web site of McGuire’s pro-gun opponent, Darlene Senger at www.electsenger.com and do whatever you can to provide support to Darlene.
4. Pass this alert on to all your pro-gun friends whether they live in the 96th district or not. Also, please post this alert on all internet blogs and message boards to which you belong.

ISRA ALERT: FEAR AND LOATHING IN NAPERVILLE

LCAV attempts to persuade the public...

Organizers of a Naperville gun control rally were treated to a healthy dose of unintended consequences Monday night when firearm owners packed the rally by a better than ten to one ratio. Billed by organizers as an “educational forum,” the rally was actually nothing more than an airing of well-worn lies and dubious public opinion polls aimed at supporting gun control legislation now pending in the state capitol. During a Q&A session, attendees soundly rebuked the organizers for their divisive perpetuation of half-truths about the role of firearms in the hands of law abiding citizens.

Held at the Naperville campus of Northern Illinois University, the gun control rally was sponsored by the Illinois chapter of California-based gun control group, Legal Community Against Violence (LCAV). Moderating the forum was gun control movement veteran Steve Young. Young is the former Illinois chapter organizer of the now-defunct Bell Campaign. Young also served as the Illinois chapter head of the now-defunct Million Mom March. Of the approximately 175 attendees, all but a handful were gun rights supporters.

“It was gratifying to see such a large turnout by law-abiding gun owners,” said ISRA Executive Director, Richard Pearson. “It was probably the first time that many of them have come face to face with the people who want to take their guns away. This was an opportunity for them to hear first hand the deception and outright lies that are the underpinnings of the gun control movement. For nearly an hour, gun owners in the audience sat through presentations that assailed their sensibilities. When it came time for attendees to speak out, gun owners made it clear that they were not buying the gun control song and dance. I actually think the event organizers thought they’d win some converts last night. I’m sure they’re sorely disappointed this morning.”

“The LCAV claims to have not only broad, but active support for their gun control policies,” continued Pearson. “Yet, despite plenty of publicity, they were not able to generate much in the way of support for last night’s forum. Everywhere I looked, I saw IGOLD hats and NRA hats and ISRA sweatshirts. Our people packed the forum just like our people are lighting up the general assembly’s phone lines to express opposition to gun control bills now under consideration.”

“Probably the biggest blow to the LCAV’s credibility came when Young rolled out polling data that supposedly shows that better than 80% of Illinois gun owners support LCAV gun control policies,” said Pearson. “After the snickers died down, I asked gun-owning members of the audience who support LCAV gun control policy to please stand. Not a single person stood.”

“If the state’s gun owners support gun control as strongly as claimed by the LCAV, then why aren’t gun owners marching on Springfield to demand passage of gun control laws?” asked Pearson. “If 75-plus percent of gun owners want so-called ‘assault weapons’ banned, then why are they buying them up like hotcakes? If Illinois gun owners are as ‘anti-gun’ as the LCAV polling data suggests, then why do they even own guns in the first place? It just doesn’t make sense. But, then again, the ‘facts’ presented by the gun control movement rarely make much sense.”

Thanks to all of you who came out to protect freedom in Naperville on Monday night!

Remember, gun control is a disease - YOU are the cure.

-Bob

ISRA Urgent Alert: MASSIVE GUN GRAB ON THE MOVE IN THE HOUSE

Here's the latest from the ISRA. Please act now!

As many of you may already know, HB 4357, the 2008 version of the Daley “assault weapons ban” will probably be voted on this week in the Illinois House. This bill would ban most, if not all of the guns you own. Banned guns would include most semiautomatic rifles, pistols and shotguns. If this bill passes, you would be forced to suffer the indignity of registering with the State Police just like a sex offender. If you choose to preserve your dignity, then you would have to move either yourself or your guns out of state. A second bill, HB758 would ban private sales of firearms. That means that you would have to find an FFL to complete private sales from your collection. Both bills are clear infringements on your 2nd Amendment rights. Only you can protect your rights. You must take action, NOW!

Here’s what you must do to preserve your rights:

1. Call your legislator and POLITELY tell him or her that you oppose HB4357, and HB758.

2. If you do not know who your legislator is, or how to reach them, visit the following link and follow the instructions: http://www.capwiz.com/nra/state/main/?state=IL&view=myofficials

3. Pass this alert along to all your gun owning friends. Also, please post this alert to any and all Internet bulletin boards to which you belong.

It appears that the People's Republic of Chicago Criminal Empowerment Program is at it again. Please do all that you can to prevent this from happening!

-Bob

ISRA Alert - Anti Gun Rally in Naperville

Here is the latest from the ISRA

ISRA Alert: YOUR HELP URGENTLY NEEDED – CALIFORNIA GUN CONTROL GROUP TO HOLD ANTI-GUN RALLY IN NAPERVILLE

The San Francisco-based “Legal Community Against Gun Violence” (LCAV) will be holding a gun control rally in Naperville on Monday, April 14, 2008. The LCAV plays a crucial supporting role in Chicago Mayor Daley’s attempts to take your guns away from you. California lawyers write the actual legislation designed to ban and confiscate your guns, tax your ammunition, ration your ammo purchases and register you like a sex offender. It’s time for Illinois gun owners to tell these Californians, “MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!” Here is what you need to do: 1. Gather up all your firearm owning friends and assemble at the Naperville Campus of NIU, 1120 East Diehl Road, Room 101C, Naperville, IL. The campus is on the south side of Diehl Road, approximately 1/8 mile west of Naper Boulevard. Plan on arriving no later than 6:45 PM. 2. If you still have your iGOLD t-shirts or hats, wear them. If you have NRA or ISRA hats, wear them. DO NOT bring signs or other items that might get you kicked out before this thing gets under way. 3. Be advised that you will be in close proximity to people that hate your guts because you own guns. They will attempt to insult you and provoke you. Stand your ground, challenge their every assertion. Freedom is at stake here. 4. Please distribute this alert to all your gun owning friends and post it to every Internet bulletin board to which you belong. STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS IN HONOR OF CHARLTON HESTON’S MEMORY!

-Bob

ISRA Statement on Chicago Schools CEO Arne Duncan

ISRA Press Release: ISRA Statement on Chicago Schools CEO Arne Duncan

CHICAGO, April 2, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA): On Tuesday, April 1, 2008, Chicago Schools CEO Arne Duncan stood at a lectern in the Thompson Center Plaza and essentially blamed the state's hunters and sportsmen for the murders of 20 Chicago school children. Duncan made his appearance during a gun control rally sponsored by Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina's Catholic Church. Pfleger is best remembered for his speech at an earlier gun control rally during which he called for the murder of gun shop owners and state legislators who oppose gun control laws. Interestingly enough, at about the same time that Duncan was delivering his rant against the state's law abiding firearm owners, a report was released in "Catalyst Magazine" that indicates that just 51% of freshmen enrolled in Chicago public high schools stick it out to graduate. "Studies by the Chicago Police Department indicate that 88% of murders are committed by people with previous criminal records," commented ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson. "Likewise, those same reports show that about 76% of murder victims had records as well. Nonetheless, opportunists like Pfleger and Duncan persist in shifting the blame away from failed public policies and towards law-abiding hunters and sportsmen. The gun control measures these people advocate will never succeed in thwarting crime because they totally ignore the criminal element." "It's ironic that the truth about Duncan's administration was being released just as he was damning the state's law-abiding gun owners," continued Pearson. "Maybe if Duncan did a better job keeping his charges in school, they wouldn't be out on the streets beating, knifing and shooting one another to death. If Duncan had any sense of responsibility at all, he would have been at the microphone apologizing to the people of Illinois for wasting their time and tax dollars. By all rights, Arne Duncan should be returning 49% of his $200,000 annual salary to the Chicago treasury. He's doing half a job -- so he deserves half his pay." 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.

Capitol Commentary on DC v Heller - a light at the end of the tunnel?

Here's the lastest from the ISRA:

Capitol Commentary By Todd Vandermyde

This edition will focus on the oral arguments in the DC gun ban. Headlines across the country are screaming that a majority of the court appears to back the individual right to bear arms. This revelation came on page 13 in reading the transcripts of the hearing. There Justice Kennedy often a swing vote on the Court referenced Article 1 Section 8 in dealing with militias and said this: “And my question is, the question before us, is how and to what extent did it supplement it (Article 1 Section 8). And in my view it supplemented it by saying there's a general right to bear arms quite without reference to the militia either way.” Reports from the hearing say no gasp was heard by those in attendance, but after reading those words in light of the peppering the DC lawyer was taking, you have to imaging the hearts of anti-gunners just sank like the Titanic. That would explain the shift in comments made by anti-gunners where they discarded the militia reading and now attempt to salvage their cause by hoping the Court will allow local communities and states to make their own laws, based upon their own political leanings. For months we have been hearing and reading on blogs arguments within the anti-gun community about letting the DC case go and taking the hit from the appellate court. The damage would be limited to DC and other laws around the country would be left intact and unchallenged. They saw the chance to lose and lose big. IF the questions and tone of the hearing are any indication they were right in their fears. Reading further in to the 90 pages other issues come up. At the very end limits on the number of guns comes up. On page 88 Justice Scalia shows his understanding of guns by rattling off what one might consider those in his collection of wish list. Going to the question of if the government could limit the number firearms a person could own. Kennedy again jumps in and presses the DC lawyer for an answer on that hypothetical question. Again DC tries to cast aspersions on the notion that of a standard test for which gun laws would be measured would be fair. Attempting to play on regional and political lines down playing a one size fits all ruling from the Court. This line of questions from Justice Scalia and Kennedy would appear to cast doubt on the validity of one-gun per month laws and other rationing schemes. There also was a fair amount of time in parsing the amendment, with several of the Justices looking at the wording as providing two or maybe even three rights. First that of States’ having a militia. Second, pun intended, that of the individual to possess and “keep” arms. Then with debate and discussion turning towards the word “bear”. As you read the transcripts it hints at carry laws, but never quite gets there. Could they find a third right in the carrying of firearms for self defense? Dunno but on two occasions they dance around the issue with the talk of bearing a gun for hunting on page 36. You can almost hear the concern in Justice Souter’s voice over the interpretation and parsing of the words. This strikes me as poetic justice. For years the anti-gun crowd have argued no right existed and parse commas and demand the militia be all controlling. Yet what took place at the Court was anything but. With justices saying that the militia was one of at least two parts of the Amendment, and parsing out the individual words of keep and bear. Framing it in distinct individual rights for each. The antis’ hearts had to sink lower as the debate wore on. An almost comical exchange takes place with Chief Justice Roberts attempting to describe the process of awakening to a burglar breaking into ones’ home and trying to get a trigger lock off of a firearm. If Justice Roberts’ line of thinking and questioning would prevail, then laws that prevent people from having firearms available for self defense in their homes would be struck down. Laws that hold a gun owner civilly liable for kids that get a hold of firearms and injure someone could be legal. But the overriding thought of the day is probably best summed up by Justice Roberts question “What is reasonable about a total ban on possession?” With that, it appears that whole sale gun bans will not stand the scrutiny of the court. The court also dove into the issue of machine guns and licensing. My layman’s view is that the court may well say that the regulation of certain specific guns, like full autos is permissible. This may have been an attempt to keep Justice Kennedy on the side of the individual rights interpretation and not push him over to the other side. It would also appear that the court is leaning towards a ruling, or at least hinting that laws aimed and discouraging citizens from exercising their rights may find a dim view with the court. An example might be that the FOID card at $10 is acceptable to the court, but the $500 FOID card is not. One thing is certain, that with a ruling due out in June, more litigation is sure to follow. But that sound you hear isn’t just Spring, it sounds like freedom.

Maybe a light at the end of the tunnel?

-Bob

ISRA Alert - Two Anti-Gun Bills Pass Committee

ISRA Alert: VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION TO TWO GUN CONTROL BILLS

A pair of gun control bills passed out of the Executive Committee today: The first bill, HB4357, would prohibit the ownership most of the rifles, shotguns and pistols now on the market. The second bill, HB4393 would prohibit the purchasing of more than one firearm per month. HERE IS WHAT YOU MUST DO TO SAVE YOUR GUNS 1. Contact your State Representative and politely tell him/her that you are opposed to HB4357 and HB4393 and that you would like for him/her to vote against the bill when it comes up. If you do not know who your State Representative is, then go to www.ilga.gov and follow the "Legislator Lookup" link. 2. Pass this alert along to all your gun-owning friends and ask them to follow the instructions above. 3. Please post this alert to any and all Internet bulletin boards to which you belong.

ISRA Notice - Volunteers for IGOLD

ISRA Notice: Volunteers Needed for IGOLD - Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day

Have you attended a Lobby Day event before? Do you know how to find the legislators offices in the State Capitol? Do you like helping others? If you answered yes to these questions, and can commit to spending a day with your fellow gun owners in Springfield on March 11, then please consider being a volunteer to help others find their way around the Capitol complex.  For more details, click here to send an email to ISRA 1st Vice President Mike Weisman.   You will get a reply within a day or two. Learn more about IGOLD here.

ISRA Alert - Update on McHenry County

ISRA Alert: Update on McHenry County

McHenry County - Full Board Vote Postponed McHenry County Sportsman's Association President Lee Lexow was notified that the McHenry County Board has pulled the 2nd Amendment Resolution from the agenda on Tuesday, February 19 out of respect for the mourning families. They will be taking up the issue at a date to be determined. Lee will still be at the Lakemoor Gun Show on Sunday as previously noted. Please do not go to the Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 19, expecting a board vote on the 2nd Amendment Resolution.

ISRA Alert - County Resolutions

ISRA Alert: County Resolutions on the Move! Attention LaSalle County & McHenry County Firearms Owners!

LaSalle County - Committee Action The LaSalle County Legislation and Rules Committee met on January 17 and discussed the resolution supporting the 2nd Amendment that was brought to them by an ISRA member. That committee is seeking citizen input in order to help them make a decision. In an article appearing in the January 18 Ottawa Times, two committee members came out in support of an Assault Weapons Ban. George Gruenwald (D-LaSalle) voiced support of an AW ban as did Tom Ganiere (D-Ottawa) who said that he did not feel that the Framers ever envisioned “assault weapons.” The next meeting of the Legislation and Rules committee is Feb 19 at 9:00 am. If you live in LaSalle County, please contact the committee members below and express your support for the Resolution and ask them to forward it to the full board for consideration. Don Jordan D-Streator 815-672-5879 Allen Erbrederis R-Somonauk 815-498-9675 Tom Walsh D-Ottawa 815-434-6750 Dan Flanagan D-Mendota 815-539-9028 Richard Scott D-Ottawa 815-433-4962 Tom Ganiere D-Ottawa 815-433-4457 George Gruenwald D-La Salle 815-223-4507 McHenry County - Full Board Vote McHenry County Sportsman's Association President Lee Lexow and Rich Young (both are ISRA members!) have worked hard to introduce the 2nd Amendment Resolution in McHenry County. The Law & Justice Committee of the McHenry County Board passed the 2nd Amendment Resolution out of committee on a 6-0-0 vote. It now heads for a full board vote on Tuesday, February 19, at 7:00pm, at the McHenry County Courthouse Annex, 2200 N Seminary Ave, Woodstock, IL 60098. There is expected to be a number of anti-gunners at the board meeting. Firearms owners who live in McHenry County are encouraged to attend and show support for the 2nd Amendment. Because there is a large turnout expected, Lee Lexow has announced a meeting at the Lakemoor Gun Show on Sunday, February 17 at 10:00am, at the table staffed by McHenry County Sportsman's Association. The purpose of the meeting is to organize and coach people that would like to speak at the County Board Meeting. McHenry County residents are invited to the meeting to meet with Lee Lexow and their fellow firearms owners.

Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day - Mar 11

Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day 2008

IGOLD Links: IGOLD home page Bus Info IGOLD T-Shirts & Hats Printable IGOLD Flyer ISRA Illinois Carry Champaign County Rifle Assoc. Sangamon County Rifle Assoc.

All Illinois gun owners are invited to join in Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day (IGOLD) in Springfield in 2008. This is an annual event where the members directly lobby their representatives in the Illinois House and Senate. We will meet in the Grand Ballroom of the Springfield Hilton at 12:00 noon for registration. We will have a legislative briefing, then we will all proceed to the Capitol Building to locate and talk with our representatives. We will have a reception at the Illinois State Library Auditorium from 4:30 pm until 7:00 pm. We are urging all participants to stay until the end of the reception. This is a very important part of the day, as the state's legislators have been invited to attend. Please join us for Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day, you won't regret going. An IGOLD Message To You From Valinda Rowe: Mark that day on your calendar, schedule a vacation day, personal day, whatever you have to do to be in Springfield for Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day!! With the Illinois General Assembly back in session the "assault weapons ban" and all other anti-gun owner bills from 2007 are back in play again in 2008. The Illinois State Police are setting their own rules on FOID card requirements bringing a whole new meaning to the words "subject to police power" in the Illinois State Constitution. Cook County is trying to expand Chicago style gun control to the whole county plus trying to shut down all firearm retailers and gun shows in Cook County - first Chicago, then all of Cook County, and then the state. The Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence has hit the ground running for the 2008 session of the General Assembly pushing for more restrictions on Illinois gun owners instead of criminals with guns! Now is not the time to sit idly by and wring our hands. NOW is the time to show up at the Illinois State Capitol and let our voices be heard - the voices of Illinois Gun owners - loud clear voices that we have had enough infringements on our rights - we'll budge no further. In fact, not only do we stand our ground, we want back ground that's been lost. Illinois is one of only two states left that does not have a Right to Carry law and that is unacceptable to the law abiding citizens of Illinois. A fleet of charter buses will be arriving from all corners of the state - to reserve a seat on the bus and avoid all the hassles of driving and finding a parking place just select from one of the buses listed on the left. Don't miss this monumental movement in Illinois firearm history! Join together with firearm owners from all over the state at IGOLD and let your voice heard!

When & Where:	Begins Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 12:00pm Starting Location: 12:00 pm - Springfield Hilton, Grand Ballroom 1:30 pm (approx.) - Head out to lobby Senators and Representatives, respectfully make our presence known in committee hearings that are in session 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm - Reception in the State Library.
Parking:	Metered on-street parking is available to the south of the Howlett Building. The meters accept quarters for up to a 9 hour period.
Better Travel: Bus Info	Forget the hassle of parking near the Capitol! IGOLD will have buses going to Springfield from strategic locations throughout Illinois. Ride the bus, ride with your friends. These gun rights organizations and manufacturers are sponsoring the buses to offset your cost: ISRA, CCRA/GSL, PK Firearms of Shelbyville, IL, Springfield Armory, Rock River Arms, Armalite, and DSArms Click here for information on the bus routes. Need more info now, or want to sponsor a bus? Contact the ISRA Office! On-line sign up is available for most buses.
Apparel:	Wear whatever you'd feel comfortable in while you are meeting your representatives, and don't forget you'll also be representing the rest of your fellow Illinois gun owners. Business casual is suggested, dress up if you want. We suggest that you don't wear any camo.
Security:	After the tragedy in 2005, there are now metal detectors in the Capitol Building that you will have to pass through on your way in, so please think ahead for this: no knives, novelty ammo keyfobs, etc. Bring proper identification.
Who:	You, of course! ...and bring a friend.