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Illinois Freedom Alliance

ISRA Thursday Bulletin - March 2, 2023

Executive Directors Message
Richard Pearson

It’s hard to believe it is March already. IGOLD is just a few weeks away, March 29, 2023. In the legislature, both pro and anti-gun bills are tumbling out. Where they will go and which ones will be pushed is anyone’s guess. I will tell you that the pro-gun bills will not go far. The Illinois General Assembly simply has too many liberals who are anti-gun. That is why we have to go through the court system, particularly the federal court system, to restore our rights.

I know you are all interested in the litigation. By midnight tonight, we should have a reply from the State of Illinois on the lawsuit filed against Public Act 102-1116 the (so-called) assault weapons ban. Our case Harrel et al v Raoul et al has been combined with three other cases. The arguments will be presented by Paul Clement of the Barnett et al v Raoul case. The Illinois Sheriff’s Association has filed an Amicus Brief in that case. We will have a hearing on our case, Harrel et al v Raoul et al, on April 12, 2023.

The ISRA lawsuit against the concealed carry ban on public transportation is moving forward. Yesterday, the ISRA filed for a summary judgement in the case. This case is known as Schnoenthal v. Raoul.

Our attorney, David Sigale, has filed a lawsuit against the suppressor ban in Illinois. The case is known as Anderson v. Raoul. This case is also in the Southern District of Illinois. 

I have had requests for a Synopsis of HB5471, now Public Law 102-1116. Here it is:

Person to Person Transfers:

• Beginning July 1, 2023, person-to-person transfers must go through an FFL or through ISP for state and federal law background check. The current effective date for this provision is January 1, 2024.

New Assault weapon, .50 caliber rifle, assault weapon attachment or .50 caliber cartridge endorsement. (Registration):

• Endorsement must be submitted through a person’s FOID Card account
• Entering false information is punishable by penalty of perjury.

Penalty violations of new law:

• Possession, sale, manufacture, delivery, importing, purchasing of an assault weapon attachment or .50 caliber cartridge is a Class A misdemeanor
• Manufactures, possesses, sells, or offers to sell, purchase, manufacture, import, transfer, or use any device, part, kit, tool, accessory, or combination of parts that is designed to and functions to increase the rate of fire of a semiautomatic firearm above the standard rate of fire for semiautomatic firearms that is not equipped with that device, part, or combination of parts – Class 2 felony – possession of each weapon or device is a single and separate violation
• Carries or possess any assault weapon or .50 caliber – Class A misdemeanor, second or subsequent violation is a Class 3 felony
• Manufactures, sells, delivers, imports, or purchases any assault weapon or .50 caliber rifle in violation of Section 24-1.9 – Class 3 felony

Creates new offense: Manufacture, possession, delivery, sale, and purchase of assault weapons, .50 caliber rifles, and .50 caliber cartridges:

• Lists types of firearms and features of firearms that are prohibited and classified as “assault weapons” – According to Senate, this list is an updated version and includes several firearms not included in the House version.
• Endorsement affidavit does require the serial number of the weapons possessed by a person before the ban.
• Ban begins immediately except for those who complete an endorsement affidavit no later than October 1, 2023 or those who fall under the list of exemptions.
• 90 days after effective date a person authorized under this provision to possess an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge shall possess such items only:

1. on private property owned or immediately controlled by the person;
2. on private property that is not open to the public with the express permission of the person who owns or immediately controls such property;
3. while on the premises of a licensed firearms dealer or gunsmith for the purpose of lawful repair;
4. while engaged in the legal use of the assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge at a properly licensed firing range or sport shooting competition venue; or
5. while traveling to or from these locations, provided that the assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, or .50 caliber rifle is unloaded and the assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge is enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container.

• Beginning on January 1, 2024, the person with the endorsement for an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge or a person authorized under subdivisions (1) through (5) of subsection (e) to possess an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge may transfer the assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge only to an heir, an individual residing in another state maintaining it in another state, or a dealer licensed as a federal firearms dealer under Section 923 of the federal Gun Control Act of 1968.
• Within 10 days after transfer of the weapon except to an heir, the person shall notify the Illinois State Police of the name and address of the transferee and comply with the requirements of subsection (b) of Section 3 of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. The person to whom the weapon or ammunition is transferred shall, within 60 days of the transfer, complete an affidavit required under this Section. A person to whom the weapon is transferred may transfer it only as provided in this subsection.
• Except as provided in subsection (e) and beginning on January 1, 2024, any person who moves into this State in possession of an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge shall, within 60 days, apply for a Firearm Owners Identification Card and complete an endorsement application as outlined in subsection (d).
• Notwithstanding any other law, information contained in the endorsement affidavit shall be confidential, is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, and shall not be disclosed, except to law enforcement agencies acting in the performance of their duties.
• Exceptions for:
• Peace officers, qualified law enforcement officers and retired law enforcement officers, law enforcement agencies, wardens, superintendents and keepers of prisons or jails, member of armed services and armed guards at nuclear plants.
• Any private security contractor agency licensed under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 that employs private security contractors and any private security contractor who is licensed and has been issued a firearm control card under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 while performing official duties.
• For persons travelling through Illinois and firearm is broken down and not readily accessible. 
• Possession at Sparta for events
• Possession of weapon only for hunting as permitted under the Wildlife Code.
• Includes manufacturing exemptions.
• Sales started before the effective date of this act may be completed after the effective date.

Creates new offense: Manufacture, delivery, or sale of large capacity ammunition feeding devices:

• "Large capacity ammunition feeding device" means: (1) a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition for long guns and more than 15 rounds of ammunition for handguns; or (2) any combination of parts from which a device described in paragraph (1) can be assembled.
• "Large capacity ammunition feeding device" does not include an attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.
• "Large capacity ammunition feeding device" does not include a tubular magazine that is contained in a lever-action firearm or any device that has been made permanently inoperable.
• "Handgun" has the meaning ascribed to it in the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.
• "Long gun" means a rifle or shotgun.
• This Section does not apply to any person who possesses a large capacity ammunition feeding device prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly. Beginning 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, a person authorized under this Section to possess a large capacity ammunition feeding device shall possess such device only:

1. on private property owned or immediately controlled by the person;
2. on private property that is not open to the public with the express permission of the person who owns or immediately controls such property;
3. while on the premises of a licensed firearms dealer or gunsmith for the purpose of lawful repair;
4. while engaged in the legal use of the large capacity ammunition feeding device at a properly licensed firing range or sport shooting competition venue; or
5. while traveling to or from these locations, provided that the large capacity ammunition feeding device is stored unloaded and enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container.

• Same exemptions as for “assault weapons”
• Manufacturing exemptions
• A person who knowingly delivers, sells, purchases, or causes to be delivered, sold, or purchased is guilty of a petty offense.
• No penalty for possession

End of Synopsis

Remington has announced the introduction of a new straight walled cartridge known as the 360 Buckhammer. The cartridge is designed as a “deer getter”. The bullet selection includes 180 grain and 200 grain Core-Lokts. Remington indicates that they will be producing single shot rifles that should meet the requirements of Illinois hunters. I am sure it will be available in lever actions also. 

Tidbits:

March 2, 1943 - The Battle of the Bismarck Sea. In WWII, my father was in New Guinea fighting the Japanese, which according to his description wasn’t Hell but you could see it from there. New Guinea is just north of Australia and would become an important part in the invasion of Australia. On March 1, 1943, the Japanese were spotted trying to reinforce their troops on New Guinea. The Japanese convoy, carrying 7000 fresh troops and supplies had to be stopped. American and Australian bombers attacked, sinking 8 of the 16 ships in the convoy. The Japanese sent 150 fighter planes to protect the convoy, of which 106 were shot down. The Japanese lost 3000 troops and thousands of tons of supplies. This was a devastating loss for the Japanese and a step on the road back for the United States and the allies.

March 3, 1879 - The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is founded. The Second Director the USGS was John Wesley Powell. Powell was a Civil War veteran who had lost one arm. Despite his injury, he explored the Grand Canyon and the West. Not much was known about the region at the time. John Wesley Powell and his team filled in much of that information. John Wesley Powell was a professor at Illinois State, Normal, now Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois.

March 3, 1863 - Congress passes conscription requiring men between the ages of 18 and 45 to sign up. One of the problems was that you could pay $300 and get out of it. This led to draft riots and claims that the Congress favored the rich, which was true. In 1792, Congress passed a law requiring every able-bodied man to buy a musket and join a state militia. There was no enforcement mechanism in the law. In the War of 1812, conscription was going to be implemented but the war ended and it was never completed.

March 3, 1931 - President Herbert Hoover signs legislation making the Star-Spangled Banner the National Anthem.

March 5, 1770 - The Boston Massacre. Boston was unhappy with the British in 1770. The people of Boston were forced to quarter British troops in their homes, the occupation of the city by British regulars, and there were taxes on top of taxes. The night of March 3, 1770, a group of protesters gathered outside the Customs House.  A single British Sentry named Private Hugh White was on guard. The protesters started throwing snowballs at Private White. Some of the snowballs were packed with oyster shells which were sharp and could cut a person if hit on bare skin. Soon, the snowballs gave way to rock, clubs, and other items.

British Captain Preston and several other soldiers came to the aid of Private White. Preston ordered his troops to fix bayonets. One of the soldiers was hit with a snowball and he fired his musket; the other soldiers fired. In the end, five colonists were killed. They were Crispus Attucks, James Caldwell, Patrick Carr, Samuel Gray, and Samuel Maverick. Attucks, a former slave and rope maker, was the first one killed. The news of the Boston Massacre quickly spread and when added to the other grievances of the American Colonists, became one of the causes of the Revolutionary War. 

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Upcoming Events:https://isra.org/events-calendar/

Saturday, March 4, 2023
AR-15 Maintenance & Care Class
Range Work Day
IL Concealed Carry Renewal Class

Sunday, March 5, 2023
Bonfield Muzzle Loaders

Tuesday, March 7 & 14, 2023
Air Gun Practice

Wednesday, March 8 & 15, 2023
Pellet Rifle League

Thursday, March 9 & 16, 2023
Women’s Pistol Team Practice

Saturday, March 11, 2023
ISRA Academy Basic Shotgun Class

Sunday, March 12, 2023
ISRA Marksmanship League

Gun & Trade Shows

Bloomington Gun & Knife Show – Bloomington, IL
Interstate Center
Dates: March 4 & 5, 2023
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-4:00
            Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $7.00

Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show – Kankakee, IL
Kankakee County Fairgrounds
Dates: March 4 & 5, 2023
Hours: Saturday: 8:00-3:00
            Sunday: 8:00-2:00
Admission: $6.00

Prairieland Frontiersman Show – Sullivan, IL
American Legion Post 68
Dates: March 10 & 11, 2023
Hours: Friday: 12:00-6:00
            Saturday: 9:00-4:00

Belleville Gun & Knife Show – Belleville, IL
Belle-Clair Fairgrounds
Dates: March 11 & 12, 2023
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-4:00
            Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $7.00/$10.00 Weekend Pass

Kane County Sportsman’s Show – St Charles, IL
Kane County Fairgrounds
Date: March 12, 2023
Hours: Sunday: 7:30-1:30
Admission: $7.00

Prairieland Longrifle Show– Princeton, IL
Dates: March 17 & 18, 2023
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-4:00
            Sunday: 9:00-2:0
Admission: $5.00

Peoria Gun & Knife Show – Peoria, IL
Exposition Gardens
Dates: March 18 & 19, 2023
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
            Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $8.00

McHenry County Gun Show – Woodstock, IL
McHenry County Fairgrounds
Date: March 19, 2023
Hours: Sunday: 7:30-1:00
Admission: $5.00