ISRA Thursday Bulletin – September 21, 2017

The pro-gun movement has always been plagued with “keyboard commandos” who just love to get gun owners riled up over false accusations or happenings. This benefits no one but the anti-gun side. When something really does happen, people hesitate giving the anti-gunners more time. The ISRA is always watching; we will let you know if something happens.

The Fall Veto Sessions have been scheduled. The first session is October 24th, 25th and 26th; the second session is November 7th, 8th and 9th. This is earlier than normal. Look for a huge number of legislators to quit or retire, which may be part of the reason Veto Session is earlier this year. It also means we don’t really know what we have to work with in the Spring Legislative Session.

There are dozens of gun bills, both good and bad, piled up in both the House Rules Committee and in the Senate Assignments Committee. I expect them to go exactly nowhere for the rest of the year. That does not mean the ISRA will not be in Springfield keeping an eye on things. The sheepdog does not let his guard down when the wolf says he is going on vacation.

On September 13th, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources passed out House Resolution (HR) 3668. HR 3668 is the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act of 2017 (The SHARE Act of 2017). The SHARE Act includes expanding opportunities for hunting, fishing, recreational shooting activities (all this on Federal Land), hearing protection and National Reciprocity for concealed carry permit holders. The hearing protection and National Reciprocity were separate bills last year and were added into the SHARE Act this year. The SHARE Act takes the suppressor out of the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA). The NFA treats suppressors like machine guns; if the SHARE Act is passed, they will be treated like any common firearm. In other words, they will be serialized, but they can be purchased with a background check. States can, undoubtedly,  add restrictions. If the SHARE Act is passed, suppressors will go down in price because of competition and increased production.

Before you begin dancing in the streets, the SHARE Act will have a lot of opposition and will have to get though the Senate. One of my favorite stories to explain this involves a first term Representative elected to Congress. As is the custom, the new Congressmen were assigned to an experienced Congressman as a mentor. After a couple of months, the new Representative burst into his mentor’s office and declared, “Those people across the aisle are our enemies!” The mentor replied, “No, no, the people across the aisle are the loyal opposition. It’s those bums in the Senate that are our enemies.” As I said, it has to get through the Senate. We will have to help when the time comes. I will let you know.

Tomorrow is the first day of Fall. In Illinois, the seasons are off by about two weeks and the temperature should begin to cool in about 10 – 14 days. If you are not ready for hunting season you need to get on with it. National Hunting and Fishing Day is Saturday, September 23, so take some time to celebrate! If you are not a hunter, Fall is a wonderful time to head to the shooting range.

Thanks for being a member!