Illinois counties line up to say NO to Chicago gun-grabbing politics

It's been a crazy year in Illinois politics. Three months after the 2007 session was slated to end ... still no budget. It seems that even though the Democratic party controls both chambers of the legislative branch and the Governor's office, they still can't get anything done. Fortunately this includes the dozens of gun control bills introduced and sponsored by Chicago-area politicians. It seems that the traditional divide between Democrats and Republicans pales in comparison to the chasm that separates the big-city politicians from the rural representatives. The small-town guys have done a great job of banding together and fighting the Daley-esque pols who would love to address the complex problems that fester only in our urban districts by limiting the freedoms of citizens statewide. The battle isn't taking place in Springfield alone, it's being fought in every county in the state. At this point, more than 30 Illinois counties have passed official resolutions opposing additional gun control in the state.

LINK (Multiple Articles)

On the same topic, check out this video by Valinda and Mike Rowe we found on the Illinois State Rifle Association website. It spells out pretty well how screwed up the politics are around here:

Junior shooter takes inaugural M1A match at Camp Perry

Springfield Armory's Mike Doy presents 17-year-old Ryan Castonguay with his $2,500 winners check. Read more on the first-ever M1A match are HERE

Springfield Gives $1 million to NRA’s Competitive Shooting & National Championships

Springfield Armory Co-Chairman of the Board Dennis Reese announced on July 13 that Springfield Armory will provide $1,000,000 to kick-off the National Rifle Association’s new Competitive Shooting & National Championships Endowment.

The announcement was made at the 100th anniversary of the National Matches at Camp Perry in Port Clinton, Ohio.

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Team Springfield a winner again at Camp Perry

The Springfield Armory bullseye team has won its second straight national championship at Camp Perry, Ohio this year. Team member Steve Reiter also finished an impressive third overall. The team won its first title last year after being right in the thick of it for many years running. Now they really seem to be on a roll. Way to go guys!

Apple knows great advertising when they see it

Check out the new print ad for Apple's hot new iPhone:


Look Familiar?


How about this one?


Or this one ...


When pressed for a comment, iRate Springfield Art Director Chad Dyer could only angle for a handout: "You would think if they are just gonna rip off my design, the least they could do is show me a little love with a free iPhone," He said.

This is why we are the Kings of Customer service!

Check out this thread from the 1911 forum:

LINK

WARNING: It is very, very, very long. But it is just a great story. If you've got some free time, get yourself a cold drink, some snacks, sit down and enjoy ...

Rob Leatham Is Unstoppable

Team Springfield Captain Rob Leatham captured ... get this ... his TWENTIETH USPSA national championship title last weekend by winning the 2007 USPSA Limited-10 Nationals in Missoula, MT. So far this year Rob has entered three major matches: USPSA Single Stack Nationals, The Bianchi Cup and USPSA Limited-10 Nationals. He won all three. Way to go Rob! I guess the battle for second continues ...

M1A SOCOM rifles at Gunsandammomag.com

Doug Larsen reviews the Springfield Armory M1A SOCOM II HERE

Doug tricked out his SOCOM II with a collapsable stock from Vltor Weapon Systems and some goodies from Aimpoint and Surefire. Nice looking setup Doug!

Check out his accuracy results too. While we still consider our SOCOMs "rack grade" rifles, that didn't stop him from getting some pretty phenomenal groups with Hornady 155 TAP ammo.

While you are there, check out the video clips on the right. Dave Fortier pulls the trigger on the SOCOM as fast as we have seen anybody do it. No that's not full auto fire. He's just fast!

EMP Featured In American Handgunner

The new July/August issue of American Handgunner features the new Springfield Armory EMP on the cover. Inside there is a great review by Dave Anderson and a bunch of sexy photos by Ichiro Nagata

You can read the article HERE

But you might just want to run out and get a copy off the newsstand, because on page 36 you can catch a glimpse of Clint Smith's new bad-to-the-bone custom XD. But be warned: If you see it, you will want one!

Leatham Wins Seventh Bianchi Title

Team Springfield Captain Rob Leatham has won an astounding seventh NRA Bianchi Cup title. Last weekend, in Columbia, Mo., Rob has finished first in the Bianchi Cup's metallic sights division again. It came down to the X-count, as Rob and Phil Strader both shot 1902 (a great score with irons, by the way). Rob's 153 X was enough to beat Phi's 143.
Way to go Rob!

Dave Anderson Video Review of the EMP

American Handgunner Magazine Practical Shooting Editor Dave Anderson reviews the Springfield Armory EMP for americanhandgunner.com

Link

IL Magazine Battle Heats Up, Moves to House

Illinois SB1007 narrowly passed the State Senate last week. The bill would ban the sale, manufacture or possession of standard-capacity magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. The bill was championed in the senate by Senator Dan Kotowski, a former professional gun-control lobbyist turned legislator who the Illinois State Rifle Association recently named "Gun Grabber of the Year.:

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This bill not only affects the hard-working law-abiding gun owners in the "Land of Lincoln," it would put a stranglehold on several Illinois businesses including:

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY, Geneseo, IL

ARMALITE, Geneseo, IL

ROCK RIVER ARMS, Colona, IL

LEWIS MACHINE TOOL, Milan, IL

LES BAER CUSTOM, Hillsdale, IL

DS ARMS, Barrington, IL

Manufacturers, community leaders and Legislators gathered in Geneseo monday for a press conference to voice their opposition to the bill

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This bill, and others like it, reflects gun control policies that are already in place in Chicago (which has a complete ban on handguns) and have failed miserably. In fact, the City of Chicago, with all it's gun-control measures, has a homicide rate five times that of the rest of the state. It is our viewpoint that your freedom and our jobs are a price too high to pay for feel-good legislation that has a proven track record of failure. Concerned residents of the state are urged to contact their representatives because the vote will be very close. You can find a listing of state legislators HERE

On Newsstands Now: XD Compact

Check out the June, 2007 issue of Combat Handguns. Charlie Cutshaw reviews the "Two Guns in One" XD Compact 45 ACP. In the same issue, Charlie reviews a pretty sweet Custom 1911 from Cylinder & Slide built on a Springfield Armory GI 45.

“Trojan Horse” legislation attacks Illinois businesses and Gun Owners

New legislation is again making its way through the Illinois Legislature that would force several Illinois businesses to leave the state and local gun owners to surrender their rights.

Illinois manufacturers targeted include:
Springfield Armory, Geneseo
ArmaLite, Geneseo
Rock River Arms, Colona
Les Baer Custom, Hillsdale
Lewis Machine and Tool, Milan
DS Arms, Barrington

SB 1007 was originally drafted as a sex offender bill. It has now been revised to include a ban on the sale or manufacture of standard-capacity magazines that hold more than ten rounds. Earlier this session, Chicago-area legislators attempted to pass a very broad and ambitious gun ban and fell far short in the votes needed. Now it seems their strategy is to sneak through what they want piece by piece.

“We would like the members of our community to know that the threat is as great now as it ever was,” Springfield Co-Chairman of the Board Tom Reese said. “The end goal is still the same: To get all gun manufacturers out of Illinois and to get all guns out of the hands of law-abiding citizens.”

Citizens of the State who are opposed to this legislation are urged to contact their legislators.

A listing of Illinois legislators can be found using the “Legislator Lookup” feature HERE.

The text of the amendment can be found HERE.

Springfield Rides the Elite Sports Express

The Elite Sports Express is a traveling showroom of some of the best outdoor gear.
Click HERE to find out when it'll be near you.

Springfield Visits Gun Talk Radio

Dave Williams (Left) and Gun Talk host Tom Gresham

The April 29 broadcast of Tom Gresham's Gun Talk Radio was broadcast live from PASA Park in Barry, IL. It featured Springfield Custom Shop Director Dave Williams and "Marketing Guy" Bill Dermody. Dave and Bill Discussed The new EMP pistol, Legislative issues, the USPSA Single Stack nationals and fielded several calls from listeners.

You can download the podcast Here

Rob and Kippi Leatham Notch First Joint National Championship

Prior to this weekend's Single Stack Classic National Championship, The Leatham family had managed a total of 21 USPSA National Championship titles (18 for Rob and 3 for Kippi), but yet they had never managed to win the same national championship match. Now They have finally done it. In the process, Rob upped his total of victories at the Classic to 13, or in other words, every Single Stack Classic they have ever held. Last year the classic was adopted as the national championship for USPSA's new provisional single stack division.

Kippi and Rob Leatham with USPSA President Mike Voigt

Rob does nails yet another reload on his way to yet another Single Stack Classic victory.

Twenty two Springfield Armory employees and three sponsored shooters represented Springfield as competitors at the match.

Pike County, IL Says No to State Gun Grab

Team Springfield is on the road this weekend for the Springfield Armory Single Stack Classic, USPSA's Single Stack National Championship. Its held at a great facility in Pike County, IL called PASA Park. Pike County is a great place to be if you are a gun owner in Illinois, not only for PASA Park, but for outstanding whitetail hunting and, of course, the local government. With several gun control bills being debated in the state legislature that would negatively impact great Illinois businesses like PASA Park, Springfield Armory, ArmaLite, Rock River Arms, Lewis Machine and Tool and Les Baer Custom, the Pike County Board passed a resolution opposing the bills and declaring any such laws unconstitutional.

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God Bless America ... And Join the NRA.

Here

Springfield Products Make Covers

The GI 45 is on the new cover of Best of Shooting Times & Guns & Ammo, and the NEW XD 45ACP Compact is on the cover of Guns Magazine. The American Rifleman Handgun of the Year for 2007 is the NEW EMP, which is on the cover of American Rifleman.

Farewell to Butch Powell

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Butch Powell. Butch was a dear friend and member of Team Springfield's 2006 National Championship bullseye team. He always had a smile and time to talk to whoever had questions.

Butch's Obituary

Our condolences go out to Butch's family and loved ones. He will be dearly missed.