Bills are being filed so fast in Springfield it seems like a paper blizzard.  As I write this, we are watching 254 bills and more could be filed at any time.  Most of those bills are in rules; some are, or soon will be, assigned to committees.  I know many of you are ready to file witness slips but just because a bill has been assigned to a committee does not mean it will be heard.  This time of year, there are hundreds of bills out there.  We will tell you when a bill is going to be heard and that will be the time to fill out witness slips.  If a bill is not heard, the witness slip will not count.  This was not true until the advent of electronic witness slips.  When witness slips were filed on paper they were kept, but the days of paper witness slips are history.

Once a bill has been passed out of a committee and on the floor of either the House of Representatives or the Senate, that is the time to call your legislators.  Sometimes it can be confusing when bills are amended because witness slips can be used when the amendment is in committee.  Don’t worry about it, we will be watching.

Here are three bills which typify what the anti-gun crowd wants to do to gun owners: 

HB 2254 would require gun owners to keep their firearms locked up at all times.  Of course, there are pretty hefty fines if the police were to ever come to your home and find any firearms that are not locked up.  The sponsor of this bill is Kathleen Willis (D-77 Northlake) and co-sponsors are Jonathan Carroll (D-57 Northbrook) and John Conner (D-85 Crest Hill).  This bill has been assigned to the House Judicial Criminal Committee.

SB 2468 adds a 10% tax to assault weapons sold by firearm dealers.  This of course means criminals are exempt.  This bill is still in Rules.  The sponsor is Ann Gillespie (D-27 Arlington Heights).

HB 5170 Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-17 Glenview) is sponsoring this bill which would require every FOID card holder to have $1,000,000 in liability insurance while at the same time prohibiting domestic insurance companies from offering the coverage.  That means that Excess and Surplus Insurance Companies (E&S Companies) would have to offer the coverage.  An example you might have heard of would be Lloyd’s of London.  What all that means is if the coverage was offered, it would be so expensive that no one except the wealthiest gun owners could afford it.  Presently, no company offers such coverage but that is not the point here.  The real point is this is the kind of mumbo-jumbo the anti-gun crowd tries to pass the take away your Second Amendment Rights.

In New Mexico, the county sheriffs are refusing to enforce the Red Flag Laws of the state.  The Governor has ordered the sheriffs to enforce the law or resign.  Here is the big news to the Governor: Sheriffs can arrest anyone, including the Governor.  Wouldn’t that be fun.

Secure the date: Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day (IGOLD) is Wednesday, April 1, 2020!  If you are interested in reserving a seat on a bus to Springfield, please visit this PAGE.

Monday, the ISRA issued a press release addressing Illinois State Police (ISP) Brendan Kelly’s remarks in his press conference held on February 13^th.  The ISRA found more unutilized funds the ISP could have used to relieve the many problems with issuing FOID cards and ICCLs.  You can read the press release HERE. 

Thanks for being a member.
If you are not a member, JOIN NOW!

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

ISRA Air Rifle League
Tuesdays – 8:00-5:00

ISRA International Air Pistol League
Every other Wednesday – 8:00-5:00

The Well Armed Woman
Saturday, February 29, 2020

Bonfield Muzzle Loaders
Sunday, March 1, 2020

Range Work Day
Saturday, March 7, 2020

Women’s Only Basic Pistol Class – Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club
Saturday, March 7, 2020

.22 Rimfire Steel Challenge
Marksmanship League
Sunday, March 8, 2020

AR15 Maintenance Class
Saturday, March 14, 2020

Defensive Tactics for Concealed Carry Level I
Saturday, March 21, 2020

Gun & Trade Shows

Mattoon Gun & Knife Show
Cross Country Mall – Mattoon, IL
Dates: March 7 & 8, 2020
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $6.00

Kane County Sportsman’s Show
Kane County Fairgrounds – St Charles, IL
Date: March 8, 2020
Hours: Sunday – 7:30-1:30
Admission: $7.00

Aledo Gun & Knife Show
Mercer County Fairgrounds – Aledo, IL
Dates: March 14 & 15, 2020
Admission: $5.00

Belleville Gun & Knife Show
Belle-Clair Expo Center – Belleville, IL
Dates: March 14 & 15, 2020
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $6.00

GAT GUNS Factory Shoot
Dates: March 14 & 15, 2020

Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show
Kankakee County Fairgrounds – Kankakee, IL
Dates: March 14 & 15, 2020
Hours: Saturday: 8:00-3:00
             Sunday: 8:00-2:00
Admission: $6.00

McHenry County Gun Show
McHenry County Fairgrounds – Woodstock, IL
Date: March 15, 2020
Hours: Sunday: 8:00-1:00
Admission: $5.00

Check out ISRA's website at www.isra.org! Tell us what you think!