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ISRA Thursday Bulletin - September 10, 2020
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Executive Directors Message
Richard Pearson
Labor Day is the unofficial start of the campaign season. As Jackie Gleason used to say at the beginning of his Saturday Night comedy show, And away we go! I expect the Presidential Campaign to heat up very quickly. For a long time we were only seeing Donald Trump signs, but now Biden-Harris signs are popping up. By this time next week both campaigns will be at a full gallop. As I have said for gun owners, it’s all on the line. Remember that and act accordingly. Early voting starts on September 24th so if you are not registered, get it done right away. The nomination of Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize should boost his chances for re-election among undecided voters and maybe a few Democrats. While the left’s anti-military stances and their redistribution of wealth schemes appeal to some, it is Trump’s strong military polices that have actually caused more peace in the Middle East than we have seen in 50 years. Good for you Mr. President. By the time this is over we will all be happy to return to inane TV ads for car insurance, Medicare supplements, pillows, sheets, prescription drugs, and other things that cause the mute button on our remotes to wear out. In all seriousness, we only have 53 days left to election. Scary. This year the Gun Rights Policy Conference will be virtual; the title is Elect Freedom. You will be able to view it online. All 120 speakers have recorded a section. Normally those speakers which give updates about what is going on in their states or territories get five minutes. Lucky for you, my report was only four minutes and nine seconds. It will be broadcast the weekend of the 19th and 20th. Google Gun Rights Policy Conference and register online. It will be worth your time. Once again, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has reported record breaking numbers for August. This year, every month has broken a record for the same month previously. In all, there were 3,115,063 NICS checks in August. Of this, 46% were for new and renewing concealed carry licenses. Who would have believed 20 years ago that we would see about 1,433,000 background checks for concealed carry licenses in a month and approximately 1,682,000 gun purchases in August, no less. The National Shooting Sports Foundation reports that 40% of new firearm purchases are first time buyers. That is roughly 682,800 new gun owners in August. More importantly, this has been going on month after month after month. Once again, I urge instructors, ranges, and firearms dealers to make every effort to accommodate these people and make them feel welcome in the gun owning community. Do these new people a favor and invite them out to shoot with you. When you do, there are a few things you should remember. These people are new so when you explain things to them, don’t use jargon. Very carefully and patiently explain what each term means. They need simple stuff, not a lecture in ballistic coefficients. Secondly, start them out with a .22, not some hand cannon you think is cool. Be aware that many of these people may not have a lot of upper body strength and they will tire quickly. Start them of on a sand bag or rest, sitting at a table or bench. Give them the 10 basic rules of gun safety to take home after you review each rule with them. Fifty rounds is enough for the first time. I like to start people on a nice paper plate at five yards. I have taught quite a few people, particularly women, and the system works. Tidbits: September 10, 1813, Captain Oliver Hazard Perry and his nine ships defeat the British Naval Squadron in the Battle of Lake Erie. This defeat drove the British out of the Northwest and forced them to abandon Detroit. They were never to return. Tsk. Tsk. September 11, 2001, the attack on the New York Twin Towers by Islamic terrorists. The following two years, the ISRA helped the Military transportation and engineering companies qualify before being deployed which, by the way, is one of the reasons we exist. September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key writes the Star Spangled Banner while watching the British bombardment of Fort McHenry. The Star Spangled Banner officially became the National Anthem on March 3, 1931. September 15, 1858, the first transcontinental mail service is established by the Overland Mail Company. It took 25 days to get mail from St. Louis, Missouri to San Francisco, California. September 16, 1620, the Mayflower sails from Plymouth, England bound for the new world. September 15, 1787, the United States Constitution is signed. Well done gentlemen! Thanks for being a member. If you are not a member, JOIN NOW! Upcoming Events: ISRA Calendar For more information, visit www.isra.org * There are spots available in the upcoming classes, presented by the ISRA Academy: September 19 - MTG Intro to Defensive Pistol and September 20 - MTG Mastering the Revolver. Saturday, September 12, 2020 Special Range Work Day Handgun Drills ISRA Smallbore Prone Rifle Championships Sunday, September 13, 2020 ISRA Smallbore Prone Rifle Championships ISRA Combat Pistol/3 Gun League (rescheduled from September 6th) Marksmanship League .22 Rimfire Steel Challenge Monday, September 14, 2020 Scout Rifle League Military Benchrest League Black Powder Confederation Tuesday, September 15, 2020 Tuesday Night Irregular Rifle League Wednesday, September 16, 2020 Benchrest League F-Class 300 Yard Rifle League Friday, September 18, 2020 Defensive Shooting Fundamentals Level 1 Saturday, September 19, 2020 Illinois Short Course State Championship MTG Intro to Defensive Pistol DTI Defensive Urban Rifle Sunday, September 20, 2020 Illinois Short Course State Championship MTG Mastering the Revolver DTI Defensive Urban Rifle ISRA Bullseye Match Check out ISRA's website at www.isra.org! Tell us what you think! |