Two new busses have been added to the list.

Join your Second Amendment friends and help keep Illinois safe for gun owners.

Attend IGOLD on March 11. See http://igold.isra.org/

Don’t assume someone else will do it for you.  Jump in, and a week from Wednesday let’s paint Springield GOLD!

ADDITIONAL IGOLD BUS ADDED FOR CLINTON, IL!

Clinton/Decatur - Donation

9:15 a.m.          Clinton- Christian Church parking lot,

100 N. Jackson St., Clinton

9:45 a.m.          Decatur  - Sams Club parking lot

10:30 a.m.        Lunch - TBA

To reserve seats contact:

johnnaese@comcast.net (217) 684-2602

ADDITIONAL IGOLD BUS ADDED FOR NORTHEAST IL!!

Zion - Lake County, IL - $25

Sponsored by 1st Class Firearms

5:30 am - Zion - 2712 Elim Ave, just east of Sheridan Rd.,

free parking in public lot

10:30 a.m.        Lunch - Stratton Cafeteria, Capitol Complex, Springfield, IL

12:00 p.m.        Rally at the Prairie Capitol Convention Center,

1 Convention Center Plaza,

1:15 p.m.        March to the State Capitol, lobby legislators

4:00 p.m.        Reception at the Prairie Capitol Convention Center

6:00 p.m.        Depart for home.

To reserve seats contact:

Craig G Bricco, 1st Class Firearms, 847-246-1740, FAX 847-379-8708

By John R. Lott, Jr.
Author, “Freedomnomics“/Senior Research Scientist, University of Maryland

It is pretty hard to seriously argue that a new so-called “assault weapons” ban would reduce crime in the United States. Even research done for the Clinton Administration couldn’t find that the federal assault weapons ban reduced crime.

There are no academic studies by economists or criminologist that find the original federal assault weapons ban reduced murder or violent crime generally. There is no evidence that the state assault weapons bans reduced murder or violent crime rates –and there’s even some evidence that they may have caused murder to actually rise slightly. Since the federal ban expired in September 2004, murder –and overall violent crime rates– have remained virtually unchanged.

If Holder thinks that it is so easy to control drug gangs’ access to guns, one way to show it is by proving that he can stop drug gangs’ access to drugs.

In fact, when the assault weapons ban went off into the sunset in September 2004 there was no explosion of murder and bloodshed as gun control advocates feared. Immediately after the law expired murder rates fell and they fell more in the states without state assault weapon bans than the states with them.

But yesterday, Attorney General Eric Holder offered a new justification: “I think that will have a positive impact in Mexico, at a minimum.”

Mexico does have a horrible drug gang problem. Despite Mexico’s strenuous efforts, they haven’t been able to stop the flow of drugs into their country on their way to the United States.

The problem is that even if all our guns disappeared in the United States, there is no more reason to expect the flow of guns to Mexico to stop than there is to believe that we can stop the flow of drugs.

The drugs that these gangs sell are extremely valuable. They want to protect these drugs not only from the Mexican government but also from other gangs. Just as these gangs have a huge incentive to smuggle in guns, they have a huge incentive to smuggle in the guns used to protect them.

Even island nations — such as Ireland, Jamaica, and the UK — that can’t remotely begin to blame their crime problems on the United States have seen large increases in murder rates after gun bans at least in part because of increased drug gang violence.

If Holder thinks that it is so easy to control drug gangs’ access to guns, one way to show it is by proving that he can stop drug gangs’ access to drugs. No one should hold their breath for him to accomplish that task.

John Lott is the author of Freedomnomics and a senior research scientist at the University of Maryland.  Click here for an archive of Mr. Lott’s previous FOXNews.com columns.

It’s official!  CCRA / GSL has its fourth bus for IGOLD, IL Gun Owners Lobby Day, on March 11. 
 
This bus will pick pick up in Clinton, IL at the Christian Church parking lot, 100 N. Jackson, Clinton, which is on Business Highway 51. 
 
Bus leaves Clinton at 9:15
 
That bus picks up our Decatur folks and leaves Sams Club in Decatur at 9:45. 
 
All other info same as for the other busses.  Donation only, suggested $20, but whatever you can afford. 
 
Contact and bus captain for Clinton and Decatur bus is Carl Dulany, 217-433-2175. 
 
Pass the word, and let’s fill it!
 
John Naese

By JASON RYAN

ABC News

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2009—

The Obama administration will seek to reinstate the assault weapons ban that expired in 2004 during the Bush administration, Attorney General Eric Holder said today.

“As President Obama indicated during the campaign, there are just a few gun-related changes that we would like to make, and among them would be to reinstitute the ban on the sale of assault weapons,” Holder told reporters.

Holder said that putting the ban back in place would not only be a positive move by the United States, it would help cut down on the flow of guns going across the border into Mexico, which is struggling with heavy violence among drug cartels along the border.

“I think that will have a positive impact in Mexico, at a minimum.” Holder said at a news conference on the arrest of more than 700 people in a drug enforcement crackdown on Mexican drug cartels operating in the U.S.

Mexican government officials have complained that the availability of sophisticated guns from the United States have emboldened drug traffickers to fight over access routes into the U.S.

A State Department travel warning issued Feb. 20, 2009, reflected government concerns about the violence.

“Some recent Mexican army and police confrontations with drug cartels have resembled small-unit combat, with cartels employing automatic weapons and grenades,” the warning said. “Large firefights have taken place in many towns and cities across Mexico, but most recently in northern Mexico, including Tijuana, Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez.”

At the news conference today, Holder described his discussions with his Mexican counterpart about the recent spike in violence.

“I met yesterday with Attorney General Medina Mora of Mexico, and we discussed the unprecedented levels of violence his country is facing because of their enforcement efforts,” he said.

Holder declined to offer any time frame for the reimplementation of the assault weapons ban, however.

“It’s something, as I said, that the president talked about during the campaign,” he said. “There are obviously a number of things that are — that have been taking up a substantial amount of his time, and so, I’m not sure exactly what the sequencing will be.”

In a brief interview with ABC News, Wayne LaPierre, president of the National Rifle Association, said, “I think there are a lot of Democrats on Capitol Hill cringing at Eric Holder’s comments right now.”

During his confirmation hearing, Holder told the Senate Judiciary Committee about other gun control measures the Obama administration may consider.

“I think closing the gun show loophole, the banning of cop-killer bullets and I also think that making the assault weapons ban permanent, would be something that would be permitted under Heller,” Holder said, referring to the Supreme Court ruling in Washington, D.C. v. Heller, which asserted the Second Amendment as an individual’s right to own a weapon.

The Assault Weapons Ban signed into law by President Clinton in 1994 banned 19 types of semi-automatic military-style guns and ammunition clips with more than 10 rounds.

“A semi-automatic is a quintessential self-defense firearm owned by American citizens in this country,” LaPierre said. “I think it is clearly covered under Heller and it’s clearly, I think, protected by the Constitution.”

The article below further illustrates the need for every gun owner in Illinois to attend IGOLD on March 11th. These people need to see us and see they will be held accountable for their actions.

Infowars
February 15, 2009

Illinois — the land of Obama and the Blagojevich mafia — is serious about making the Second Amendment so expensive only the rich will be able to exercise it. Kenneth Dunkin, a former social worker and Democrat member of the Illinois House of Representatives, has introduced HB0687, entitled the “Firearm Owners ID-Insurance” bill. It is currently in the Rules Committee.

Dunkin’s bill amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act, a previous bill aimed at chipping away at the Second Amendment. Dunkin’s amendment states “that any person who owns a firearm in this State shall maintain a policy of liability insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000 specifically covering any damages resulting from negligent or willful acts involving the use of such firearm while it is owned by such person.”

A million dollars!

Can you imagine the premium on such an insurance policy? It would be astronomical and out of the reach of most people in Illinois.

If the firearm owner cannot afford the insurance or decides that it is simply crazy and also unconstitutional and refuses to participate, “the Department of State Police shall revoke and seize a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card,” thus making the the firearm illegal and the owner a criminal.

If Dunkin’s bill makes it out of committee and is passed by the Illinois General Assembly, a whole lot of people will have their firearms confiscated by the State Police.

Friday through Sunday - IL Deer & Turkey Classic, Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL. 800-324-3337;

www.deerinfo.com/IL_home.asp

Saturday - Douglas County Ducks Unlimited Spring Banquet, Kaskaskia Country Club, Arcola.  Doors open at 5 p.m.  Dave McGhee, 217-832-2305.   

Saturday & Sunday - Gun Show, Bloomington Sale Barn.  Bob Leckrone, 618-495-2572

March 7 & 8 – Hoopeston Gun Show.  Roger Dorsett, 217-384-7302. 

March 11 – IGOLD – Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day.  Meet at noon at Prairie Capital Convention Center, Springfield.  Bus rides or info:  John Naese, 217-684-2602, or email johnnaese@gunssavelife.com

Three busses sponsored by Guns Save Life.com are heading to IGOLD - Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day - on March 11, and they are filling up fast. 

BUT THERE IS HOPE.  If we get enough reservations to fill the 165 seats, we can get a fourth bus.  The three already set are one from Danville, leaving Gutteridge Harley-Davidson at 7:45 a.m.; and two from Urbana, leaving Farm and Fleet at 8:30 a.m.  One of the busses will stop at Decatur at Sam’s Club and leave there at 9:45 a.m. 

IF WE SEE more interest, we could add a fourth bus, starting at Clinton and picking up the Decatur folks.  That would free up space for more attendees from the Danville and Champaign-Urbana areas. 

Email John Naese at johnnaese@gunssavelife.com to make a reservation. 

There is no set cost, but donations are accepted.  Most folks donate $20, which is still cheaper than paying for gas, parking, aggravation, and vehicle wear and tear.  But the main thing is to get to Springfield that day. 

When the politicians feel the heat, they see the light!

Also, if you can’t possibly make it that day, but want to contribute to the success of IGOLD, why not give a donation to help cover the bus for those who can’t afford $20 per person.  I’m thinking of several families that I know will be attending.  Mom, Dad, and three kids would be $100 at $20 per; we would rather see them come, and just donate what they would have spent in gas, than maybe not come at all.  If you want to donate, you can send a check to GunsSaveLife.com, PO Box 51, Savoy, IL, 61874. 

You can also donate to the success of IGOLD online at

https://secure.cnchost.com/isra.org/catalog/index.php?cPath=25&osCsid=276f6920c35a2368aed256c9e46fab42

Folks, this is going to be big.  We need you to make it bigger!  Plan now to get to Springfield, Prairie Capital Convention Center, at noon on March 11 (that’s two weeks from today!)

John Naese

From the Virginia State Shooting Association:

It looks like those who said the Obama Administration would strike while the iron is hot may have been correct, and the Administration may be doing it in a way that does not require them to even get a vote in Congress. In this morning’s edition of the Shooting Wire, Jim Shepherd writes that Canadian officials have it on “good authority” our State Department may be on the verge of cutting off all imports of certain calibers of ammunition.

Ammos listed for this rumored ban include the .50BMG, 7.62×39mm Soviet, 7.62×51mm NATO, .308 Winchester, 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington. Additionally, we’re hearing that an expansion of this proposed ban might be broadened to include the 6.8mm SPC, 9mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP- among others.

In other words, State Department officials may be floating a trial balloon to see if there are howls of protest, or whimpers of compliance. Canadian elected officials who have directed this information to me say the move seems to be motivated by “emboldened” anti-gun officials who think they have a kindred spirit in President Obama.

Shepherd continues that there may also be a plan to ban exports on certain firearms to Canada from the US, resulting in the State Department hammering gun manufacturers, distributors and exporters in the United States while simultaneously making firearms -and ammunition - ownership and acquisition more difficult for Canadians.

Many in the pro-rights community have said since the election that Obama could circumvent Congress by using regulations in his various cabinet departments to attack gun owners. It appears that it may have already begun.

==============

[GSL Note:  And you thought ammo prices were high before?  Oh, and this isn't good news for police departments nationwide as they order the same ammunition, for the most part, as personal defense-conscious people like you and me. ]

A Letter to the Editor of the Chicago Tribune             February 23, 2009

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/chi-090223berardi_briefs,0,7695643.story

Daley’s failing gun laws

February 23, 2009

This is in regards to Mayor Richard Daley’s remark in “Burris questioned in Blagojevich probe,” (Chicagoland, Feb. 22), when he was asked about Sen. Roland Burris and he replied: “Three people got killed [last night]. Do you think the people who killed them care who is their U.S. senator?”

No, Mayor Daley, they do not care. They also do not care that so-called assault weapons are banned both in Chicago and Cook County, actual assault weapons have been severely restricted since 1934. They also do not care that it was illegal for them to own any type of firearm in Illinois without a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card, or that it is illegal to discharge a weapon within the city limits. They also do not care that they most likely are too young to own a firearm by federal statutes. They also do not care that that is illegal to commit murder and the many other laws they surely broke.

This leads me to ask you a question Mayor Daley: If they do not care about breaking the multiple laws that they did, why do you think the solution is to pass yet another law–a ban on so-called assault weapons that they will also ignore?

Mayor, it’s time to admit that your long-time push for tougher and tougher gun laws is simply a failure. It’s way past time that you have the political courage to attack the true causes of violent crime in Chicago: gangs, drugs, poverty and the dismal failure of the Chicago school system, just to name a few.

–Louis J. Berardi

Downers grove, Ill.

by John Naese

If you watch the news every day (and I recommend you don’t) you can’t help but notice the steady drip, drip, drip of our Liberty being taken from us.

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. How do you take Liberty? One small incremental step at a time.

Political Correctness is one way. That’s just a nice name for folks demanding that you say certain things, and not say certain other things. On some college campuses, you can’t say mankind because that might offend women, or A.D (as in 2009 A.D.) because it literally means “in the Year of Our Lord” and might offend non-Christians.

Your life is increasingly regulated. Your toilet can only flush so many gallons. In a couple of years you won’t be able to buy regular light bulbs anymore; you’ll be forced to switch to compact fluorescents. Just try lighting up a cigarette, and see how many busybodies and government functionaries have a cow.

These are all small things. But over time, they add up to a big change, and not a change for the better. What can you, one individual, do about it?

The first, and perhaps the most difficult, thing you can do is to start repeating this phrase: NICE does not equal QUIET.

We tend to accept all of these little infringements, perhaps with a quiet complaint within our homes or among our closest friends, but with complete silence in public. We’ve been taught to be NICE, and most of us equate NICE with not being argumentative, with not rocking the boat; in other words, with being QUIET.

It’s time to stop being quiet. It’s time to speak up. LOUD, LONG, and EFFECTIVELY.

If you’re a closet gun owner, who hasn’t joined the NRA or GunsSaveLife or some other organization because you don’t want to be “on a list” or “I don’t want to get junk mail”, STOP IT! Your silence is seen by the anti-gun, anti-rights crowd as assent. Step up and BE LOUD. You can be nice about it, but the time for silence is over.

If you’re one of those who does not take the time to write letters to public officials, because the gun you use isn’t one of those evil black guns the government is always trying to ban, I’ve got news for you: Right after they ban the ARs, they’ll be back for your “high powered sniper rifle” or “high capacity shotgun” designed for mass slaughter. Step up and BE LOUD. You can be nice about it, but the time for silence is over.

If you’re a gun owner who won’t go to the range because you don’t want others to see how badly you shoot, get to one of the many training or practice events listed in GunNews each month and get trained, knock off the rust, and get shooting. Step up, take that gun out of the safe, and BE LOUD. You can be nice about it, but the time for silence is over.

If you have kids, grandkids, or others close to you that you’ve been meaning to introduce to shooting, but you haven’t done it yet, get them out to the range or to some events. Now. This spring. Step up and BE LOUD. You can be nice about it, but the time for silence is over.

The first thing you can do is plan on attending IGOLD (see next entry). March 11, take the day off of work, take the kids out of school, bring the family to Springfield and BE LOUD. Just you and your family’s presence there will be a LOUD message to the anti-gun and anti-Liberty crowd.

You can be nice about it, but if you value your Liberty, you had better be LOUD about it too.