Legislative Update

We are watching several bills that will probably come up in lame duck session.  Tentative lame duck session will be between the 2nd and 8th of January at noon.  The new legislature will be seated January 8th at noon.  This is an unusually long time for a lame duck session.  There is plenty of mischief that can be done.  Aside from our bills, which are listed below, my guess is they are going to try and do as much damage to President-Elect Trump’s agenda as possible.

HB5888 –  Lost and Stolen Firearms

HB5891 and SB3971  –  Safe Storage of Firearms

SB2633 “Karina’s Law” –  This is a push for gun confiscation by the police.

These bill numbers could change, so be careful about them.

Litigation Update

The ISRA lawsuit – Harrel v Raoul, has been combined with the National Shooting Sports Foundation – and is now known as Barnett v Raoul – and it’s currently before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. On December 5th, the Seventh Circuit ruled in favor of the State of Illinois and extended the stay that was issued by Federal District Court Judge Stephen McGlynn.

The stay will be in effect until the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals hears the case and makes a decision.  This means the PICA is still fully in effect and we are at the mercy of the Seventh Circuit.

Presently, we have not received a briefing schedule.  And while we hope to move this case along as quickly as possible, the reality is that it could be another year or so. But whatever the time frame – we will not stop working to advance our position, even if that means petitioning the Supreme Court of the United States.

Rest assured, the ISRA will not back down until our 2nd Amendment rights are restored in Illinois – no matter how much it costs or how much time it takes. We won’t back down.

Important Announcement – IGOLD

The 2025 IGOLD date has been moved to May 14, 2025.  This is due to a change in the legislative calendar.  I am looking forward to seeing you there.

A Bum Takes A Bullet To The Bum

  Rockford, Illinois   –   On November 25, Nathaniel Brooks, age 32, began beating, punching and slapping a sixty-year-old woman.  This was a domestic disturbance of some sort.  Despite warnings from an elderly gentleman in the house, Brooks would not stop physically assaulting the woman.  The older man retrieved his pistol and called 911.  As the assault continued, the elderly gentleman shot Brooks in the butt, putting a stop to his abuse.  Mr. Brooks is now residing in the Winnebago County jail, lucky that it was just his pride that took a hit that day.  I am sure when everyone has to stand when the judge enters the courtroom, Mr. Brooks will be more than happy to do so.

Sometimes The Bear Gets Even

In Virginia, a bear hunter drove his quarry up a tree.  Deciding to shoot the bear out of the tree, which he did, he ended up in a bit of a quandary.  His problem was he had stood too close to the tree and, when he shot the bear, the bear fell on him.  The hunter ended up in the hospital in serious, but stable, condition, but  I cannot imagine how he is going to explain this wild hunting story to his buddies.

Unconstitutional Gun Ban to Continue as 7th Circuit Extends Stay

On December 5th, 2024, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order extending the stay of Judge McGlynn’s decision finding the Illinois Gun Ban to be unconstitutional. The stay remains in place until the 7th Circuit can hear the case, which means that the unconstitutional gun ban continues to remain in effect.

While we are glad that Federal District Court Judge Stephen McGlynn’s stay would have expired on Sunday, December 8th, we are disappointed – but not surprised – that the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has extended that stay. Back in November, we were victorious when Judge McGlynn found the provisions of the Illinois ban on commonly owned firearms and accessories known as “PICA” to be unconstitutional. The State appealed immediately to the Seventh Circuit, so we also know that this battle is far from over.

When this unconstitutional bill was signed by Gov. Pritzker in January 2023, we promised to see the State of Illinois in Court – and we’ve held firm on that promise – and we won’t back down until our 2nd Amendment rights are restored in Illinois.

Pritzker Ban on Commonly Owned Firearms Found Unconstitutional

The ISRA is proud to announce that Federal District Judge Stephen McGlynn has found the provisions of the Illinois ban on commonly owned firearms and accessories known as “PICA” to be unconstitutional. Furthermore, the State of Illinois is prohibited from enforcing provisions of this unconstitutional law related to registration, possession, and purchases of commonly owned firearms and accessories after December 8th, 2024.

The Illinois State Rifle Association has been fighting against this ban since it’s introduction at the Illinois Statehouse. Our legislative team tried to warn lawmakers about the unconstitutionality of Pritzker’s scheme.  After the Governor put his signature on this affront to citizen’s rights, the ISRA partnered with the Second Amendment Foundation to file suit in Federal Court with a promise to see this through to the US Supreme Court if necessary. Today’s ruling affirms our legislative position and shows our dedication to fighting on behalf of the millions of law-abiding Illinois firearms owners.

Barring any further court action, the ISRA looks forward to restoration of 2nd Amendment rights to Illinois firearms owners just in time for the holidays and winter hunting seasons.

ISRA Offering Free Firearm Safety & Training Lessons to Lucas Kunce, Adam Kinzinger

The Illinois State Rifle Association – one of the oldest and most respected gun organizations in the United States, released the following statement:

“After learning about an incident yesterday in Missouri where TV Reporter Ryan Gamboa was accidentally shot during a campaign event in the backyard of a private residence due to U.S. Senate candidate Lucas Kunce (D-MO) and former Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) violating commonly known safety rules by firing at steel targets in close range with an AR-15 using inappropriate ammunition, the ISRA would like to offer a complimentary firearm and safety training class at our 5-star range in Kankakee, Illinois area – Kinzinger’s hometown.

We don’t often talk about our range and academy – and we should – because it’s one of the finest facilities anywhere in the country. Over the years, we’ve trained well over 50,000 people, including active-duty military and civilians; National Guard members; people starring in television shows and movies; and Olympic and Junior Olympic team members. Our range has also won numerous awards and certificates of recognition from the National Guard and other respected organizations.

In addition to teaching firearm safety and marksmanship skills, we also teach wound care and First Aid training – something that would have been very useful as they applied bandages to the wounded reporter. We’re glad he is ok and that his injuries were not serious.

Over the last several years, both Lucas Kunce and Adam Kinzinger have called for an “assault weapons” ban, but the irony is that on Tuesday – they were caught firing the exact same type of firearm they want eliminated from gun collections. This is hypocrisy at its finest.”

To join the ISRA or donate, please visit www.isra.org