In the wake of the Illinois General Assembly’s adjournment on May 31, gun owners can breathe easier. Several aggressive anti-gun measures — including the so-called “Glock Ban” (HB 4471), the RIFL Act, ammunition serialization proposals (HB 4414), and overly broad polling place restrictions — failed to advance.
As John Boch of Guns Save Life recently detailed on their site in the post “Illinois Gun Owners Dodge Another Round of Radical Gun Control,” Illinois gun owners successfully dodged another round of radical gun control efforts. Boch highlighted how the ammo serialization bill, which would have imposed burdensome tracking and taxes on handgun ammunition, quietly failed to pass, along with the de facto Glock ban and the RIFL Act. He stressed the importance of sustained engagement, noting that this outcome shows what’s possible when pro-gun voices stay involved both publicly and privately, while warning that the fight continues into the fall veto session.
Meanwhile, the Illinois Review article “Freedom Held the Line: How ISRA Delivered Major Victories for Illinois Gun Owners in 2026” frames these successes almost exclusively through ISRA’s efforts. It reads as if Richard Pearson, the long-time ISRA Executive Director (or one of his ghostwriters) wrote it.
While ISRA’s longtime lobbyist Eddie Sullivan was actively engaged, he wasn’t alone. The IFOR lobbyist Josh Witkowski, NRA-ILA’s John Weber representing the nation’s TRUE premier gun rights organization, and John Boch of Guns Save Life all contributed through monitoring legislation, engaging lawmakers, and mobilizing grassroots support. Guns Save Life has been especially effective with its monthly GunNews and local chapter network, keeping members informed and activated. Yes, this also includes Illinois Carry’s forums as well.
Gently put, ISRA’s near-complete credit in that story feels more than a bit overstated. It underplays completely ignores the genuinely collaborative nature of Second Amendment advocacy in Illinois. Even the NRA routinely encourages its Illinois members to support ISRA, reflecting the reality of a team effort rather than a single dominant player.
These wins belonged to the broader pro-2A community — multiple organizations, lobbyists, and dedicated activists working together in a tough political environment. Exaggerating any one group’s role risks unnecessary division when the focus should remain on protecting rights for all Illinois gun owners. Sustained success will require continued cooperation, not competition for the spotlight.