Friday, September 11, 2009

Steel shooting for charity in Springfield Saturday, 9/12


If you're in the Springfield area this weekend looking for something to do, head over to Bullet Express on Saturday for the 2nd Annual Charity Steel Shoot.

This event is run as a tournament of one-on-one matches. The format is simple. From surrender position, draw at the timer signal and be the first to drop five steel poppers. If you're the first, your stop plate will be underneath your opponent's. You pay to shoot, and then you have the option to buy your way back into the tournament if you're eliminated. Or, if you've got a willing opponent, you can wait for the Grudge Matches after the tournament is over. Last year, lunch was grilled in the parking lot for a small fee.

There's even a novice division, where new shooters can shoot against each other, and when they say "novice," they mean just that. If you haven't shot at least one USPSA match, you're a novice, but if you came with no equipment just to watch you can borrow a gun and gear and shoot in the novice division. Last year, there was no revolver division, but auto shooters were downloading to 5 or 6 rounds to match a revolver opponent. The whole thing is an informal fun shoot among friends, and it's a great time. If I hadn't registered to be in Chicago tomorrow, I'd be there myself.

Have a great time, folks, be safe and enjoy the day.

9 comments:

MCSA56 said...

Hey Don,

Looks like the OpenCarry.org got the rules 50% right.

They don't list private sales are being "ok", either, which they are among FOID holders following all local ordinances.

I won't agree that OC isn't risky, just that it is technically legal.

MCSA56 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Don said...

The problem is the screwy UUW statute. There are two statutes: UUW and Aggravated UUW. Normally, an "aggravated" crime is the same act, but with some aggravating factor added in. But UUW in Illinois doesn't work like that.

Possessing a loaded gun without a case is not illegal under the UUW statute. It is illegal under the Aggravated UUW statute. If you're arrested for it, all they have to do is charge you with Aggravated UUW.

MCSA56 said...

Interesting - but reading 720 ILCS 5/24‑1.6, it seems pretty clear about it unincorporated areas:

Carries or possesses on or about his or her person, upon any public street, alley, or other public lands within the corporate limits of a city, village or incorporated town, except when an invitee thereon or therein, for the purpose of the display of such weapon or the lawful commerce in weapons, or except when on his or her own land or in his or her own abode or fixed place of business, any pistol, revolver...

(emphasis mine)

In fact, this is pretty much the same as the non-aggravated UUW (720 ILCS 5/24‑1) in regards to specifically mentioning incorporated areas.

Let's do this, though - we both know Illinois has BS laws and neither you nor I are dumb enough to OC on public land (fanny pack, eh? Nice Maxpedition...) so the discussion is purely academic and pointless. So, I'll shut my trap and get busy writing letters to my county board, congress crittes, etc...

;)

Don said...

That's section 2. The statute has two sections, and it says that either 1 "or" 2 constitutes Aggravated UUW. Section 2 does mention incorporated area, but Section 1 doesn't.

One begins to suspect that the law was not written for the purpose of clear communication.

(720 ILCS 5/24‑1.6)
Sec. 24‑1.6. Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
(a) A person commits the offense of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon when he or she knowingly:
(1) Carries on or about his or her person or in any

vehicle or concealed on or about his or her person except when on his or her land or in his or her abode or fixed place of business any pistol, revolver, stun gun or taser or other firearm; or

(2) Carries or possesses on or about his or her

person, upon any public street, alley, or other public lands within the corporate limits of a city, village or incorporated town, except when an invitee thereon or therein, for the purpose of the display of such weapon or the lawful commerce in weapons, or except when on his or her own land or in his or her own abode or fixed place of business, any pistol, revolver, stun gun or taser or other firearm; and
(3) One of the following factors is present:
(A) the firearm possessed was uncased, loaded

and immediately accessible at the time of the offense; or
(B) the firearm possessed was uncased, unloaded

and the ammunition for the weapon was immediately accessible at the time of the offense; or
(C) the person possessing the firearm has not

been issued a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card; or
(D) the person possessing the weapon was

previously adjudicated a delinquent minor under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 for an act that if committed by an adult would be a felony; or
(E) the person possessing the weapon was engaged

in a misdemeanor violation of the Cannabis Control Act, in a misdemeanor violation of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, or in a misdemeanor violation of the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act; or
(F) the person possessing the weapon is a member

of a street gang or is engaged in street gang related activity, as defined in Section 10 of the Illinois Streetgang Terrorism Omnibus Prevention Act; or
(G) the person possessing the weapon had a order

of protection issued against him or her within the previous 2 years; or
(H) the person possessing the weapon was engaged

in the commission or attempted commission of a misdemeanor involving the use or threat of violence against the person or property of another; or
(I) the person possessing the weapon was under

21 years of age and in possession of a handgun as defined in Section 24‑3, unless the person under 21 is engaged in lawful activities under the Wildlife Code or described in subsection 24‑2(b)(1), (b)(3), or 24‑2(f).
(b) "Stun gun or taser" as used in this Section has the same definition given to it in Section 24‑1 of this Code.
(c) This Section does not apply to or affect the transportation or possession of weapons that:
(i) are broken down in a non‑functioning state;

or
(ii) are not immediately accessible; or
(iii) are unloaded and enclosed in a case,

firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container by a person who has been issued a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card.

MCSA56 said...

I found your link too:

http://illinoiscarry.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t17706.html

Thanks for the heads up - will let the folks in McHenry Co. know!

MCSA56 said...

BTW- I owe you a beer or something. Let me know the next time you're up here...

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