Website:  http://www.midwestgca.com
MGCA Telephone:  (309) 274-2977

April 2008

IMPORTANT NOTICES & INFORMATION

1) SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 2008, is the MGCA Annual Range Day.  Armalite, Springfield Armory, and (probably a new participating manufacturer) Glock will be at our Range on Saturday, June 7, 2008, to show off their new firearms.  Wolf Hollow Archery will also be in attendance this year for the archers.  The Illini Muzzle Loaders will be in attendance for the muzzleloaders.  Shooting will start at 9:00 A.M. and end about 3:00 P.M.  This event is open to the public, so bring your friends.  Additional firearms and archery related vendors will be present and have items available for purchase.  A food vendor will also be present.  This event will proceed even if the weather doesn’t fully cooperate.  Because of increased ammunition costs, every shooter will be charged a fee for each magazine of ammunition shot.  SEE YOU THERE ON JUNE 7th.

2) This newsletter and other MGCA Club information is available on our website: http://www.midwestgca.com

3) ARE YOU an ISRA or a NRA MEMBER?  IF NOT, WHY NOT?  These are two Organizations that fight for your rights that allow you to continue to be permitted to own and use firearms for target shooting, plinking, and hunting!  Join or renew either or both of these organizations today!  The Internet websites are: http://www.nrahq.org/ and http://www.isra.org/     Follow the appropriate prompts to membership.  You may also renew or join the ISRA or NRA at the MGCA Tables at our gun shows or the ANNUAL RANGE SHOOTING DAY.

4) Gun Control Issues:  Right now YOU (ALL legal gun owners in Illinois) are in danger of losing your right to own guns and possess ammunition in this state.  Why?? – Because anti-gunners are trying to pass legislation to revoke these rights.  Check out the Illinois General Assembly’s website at www.ilga.gov/ and follow the links.  Crooks DO NOT obey current gun laws and will not adhere to any future gun legislation/laws.  If lawful citizens are forced to give up their guns, then only the CROOKS will have them.  Law Enforcement personnel do not have the manpower to protect you 24/7.  They normally respond only after a crime has been committed.
The only two groups fighting this abhorrent attempt are the lobbying arms of the ISRA and NRA.  Go to the ISRA website www.isra.org/ and follow the prompts to the legislative bills pending.  If you are not signed up for the free ISRA ALERT SERVICE, do so today.  You can also go to the NRA website www.nra-ila.org/ and follow the prompts to see pending Federal Legislative Bills and for all states, including Illinois.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ELECTED REPRESNTATIVES TODAY, both State and Federal, AND POLITELY INFORM THEM OF YOUR STRENIOUS OBJECTIONS TO ALL OF THE PROPOSED PENDING ANTI-GUN OWNER LEGISLATION.  The applicable websites can help you find the correct names, addresses, and telephone numbers.

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

1) The Quarterly Membership Meeting is scheduled for May 3, 2008, at the MGCA Range, Range #1, and will start at 4:00 p.m.

2) All members are invited to attend and ask questions.

3) Membership queries now have a new telephone number.  It is a cell phone where you can leave a message, if the phone is unattended.  Your call will be returned.  The number is (309) 229-7495.

RANGE

1) REMEMBER – EACH THURSDAY is the Range Work/Maintenance Day.  The ranges may have limited availability while mowing (depending upon the time of the year), necessary repairs, cleanup, etc., is being performed.  Anyone available and desiring to help with Range Maintenance/Repairs can contact Greg Crank @ 309/248-7068 for details.

2) You are expected to have your MEMBERSHIP CARD with you every time you enter/use the Range.

3) You are/will be expected to relock the gate each time you enter the Range and each time you leave the Range.  PLEASE DO NOT leave the Range Gate unlocked while using the Range.

4) ALL SHOTGUN SHOOTING MUST BE PERFORMED ON RANGE #5 (UPPER RANGE).  THIS INCLUDES BOTH SLUGS & BIRD SHOT.  DO NOT USE THE TARGET BOARDS AS A TEST AREA FOR YOUR SHOT PATTERN.  BRING YOUR OWN TARGET BOARD/PAPER TO TEST YOUR PATTERN.

5) Remember, Eye & Ear Protection is MANDATORY for everyone when using any of the MGCA Shooting Ranges.  There ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE!  MGCA does not care if other ranges do not enforce this rule.  Violators WILL BE DIRECTED TO CEASE SHOOTING, PACK THEIR MATERIALS, AND LEAVE THE RANGE.  DON’T BE A VIOLATOR!

6) Additional range improvements are scheduled for this spring/summer.  These improvements include a shelter and pad on Range #3, a shelter and pad on the Pistol Range, a pad on the other Pistol Range, tear down and replace the shelter and pad on the Shotgun Range (Range #5), adding rock to the interior road, replacing the lower range fence, and start preparing an area for a new Storage Facility near the Archery Range.

ILLINI MUZZLE-LOADERS

Complete dates and details are available on the MGCA website – http://www.midwestgca.com 
Questions – Call Tom French (309) 246-2073.	Remaining 2008 dates are:

	Saturday	May 10		Pistol Shoot		Range 2	1:30 p.m.
Sunday	May 25		Rifle Shoot		Range 2	10:00 a.m.
	
Saturday	June 7		Muzzle-loading Demonstrations as a part of the Annual
 MGCA Open House		Upper Range		9:00 a.m.
	
Sunday	June 22		Clay-Bird Shoot	Upper Range	10:00 a.m.
	Saturday	July 12			Rifle Paper Shoot	Range 2	1:30 p.m.

Sunday	July 27			Pistol Shoot with Informal Cowboy Action Shoot					Upper Range		10:00 a.m.	
	
Saturday	August 9		Rifle Shoot		Range 2	1:30 p.m.
	Sunday	August 24		Pistol Shoot		Range 2	10:00 a.m.
	Saturday	September 13		Rifle Shoot		Range 2	1:30 p.m.
	Sunday	September 28		Rifle & Pistol Shoot	Range 2	10:00 a.m.

	Saturday	October 11	ANNUAL MEAT SHOOT	Range 2	NOON

GUN SHOWS

1) The MGCA telephone number for any and all gun show information is (309) 274-2977.  If Mary Harper, Show Manager, is not available, leave a message and she should get back with you within 24 to 36 hours.

2) The next Gun Show is November 1 & 2, 2008, at the EAST PEORIA CONVENTION CENTER (AKA “THE OAKS”).  The February show was great with many positive comments.

3) Because of increasing expenses (insurance, maintenance costs, etc.) and Gun Show shortfalls (rent, advertising, security, fewer table rentals, etc.) MGCA members will no longer receive free admission to our Gun Shows.  A nominal gun show fee ($3.00 per current membership card producing member) is better than everyone facing another Annual Dues increase.  All others pay a non-refundable $5.00 door admission fee.  Children will still receive free admission to the gun shows.

MGCA CLUB, OFFICERS & DIRECTORS – TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Mike James, President  309/256-9787		Ernie Rech, Director & Website 309/699-0471
Tom French, Vice-Pres 309/246-2073		Bill Fritz, Director		309/274-6096
Bob Bjerke, Secretary	  309/692-1800		Ed King, Director	 	309/473-3964
Caryl Crank, Treasurer 309/248-7068		Greg Crank, Range Director	309/248-7068
Mary Harper, Gun Show Manager	309/274-2977
Membership Cell Phone Number	309/229-7495

MAIL

(Gun Show Related) MGCA, Attn:  Gun Show Manager, P.O. Box 9251, Peoria, IL 61612

(Membership Applications/Renewals) MGCA, Attn:  Membership Director, P.O. Box 9251, Peoria, IL 61612

Any and All correspondence for MGCA is to be mailed to P.O. Box 9251, Peoria, IL 61612.  Any Mail sent to any of the previously used Club Mailing Addresses could result in non-receipt by the Club.

Bob Bjerke
Secretary & Editor

MGCA											PRST STD
P.O. Box 9251											US Postage
Peoria, IL 61612-9251							  		    PAID
										Peoria, IL
February 2007											Permit #888
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