ming Posted April 3, 2013 at 07:29 PM Posted April 3, 2013 at 07:29 PM For those of you who got your range time at Illinois Gun Works, you're going to have to find a new range. I went there today to get in some practice only to find signs in the window stating "Store Closed". One of the employees said they were out of business. I don't know the reason or any details, but if anyone has any info please share. Looking back at it, the signs had been there for some time. There were no handguns or ARs in stock, buildings on either side had been demolished, basic repairs were not being made, etc. While I know some here have had differences with the ownership of IGW over their somewhat deplorable behavior in recent years (and I completely agree with you that it was pretty rotten), I hate to see a range closing down. I'm sure the antis are happy about it. If they can get enough gun stores, ranges, etc., to shut their doors we're SOL.
MrMonarch Posted April 3, 2013 at 07:41 PM Posted April 3, 2013 at 07:41 PM For those of you who got your range time at Illinois Gun Works, you're going to have to find a new range. I went there today to get some practice in only to find signs in the window stating "Store Closed". One of the employees said they were out of business. I don't know the reason or any details, but if anyone has any info please share. Looking back at it, the signs had been there for some time. There were no handguns or ARs in stock, buildings on either side had been demolished, basic repairs were not being made, etc. While I know some here have had differences with the ownership of IGW over their somewhat deplorable behavior in recent years (and I completely agree with you that it was pretty rotten), I hate to see a range closing down. I'm sure the antis are happy about it. If they can get enough stores, ranges, etc., to shut their doors we're SOL. *Loud Curse Word* I'm in the city and that was the closest range to my house! Also, elmwood park (where they are located)has a weird law stating: Sec. 52-24. Gun Shops Prohibited:In accordance with section 1407.03 of the Zoning Ordinance of the Village, the establishment of gun shops, in which the sale of firearms or firearms ammunition is conducted, is prohibited in the Village. Those gun shops that were legally licensed to do business prior to such prohibition being enacted, and which continue to be in existence on date of passage of this Section, may continue to be licensed, but no sale or transfer of substantially all of the assets of such business shall be permitted, nor shall the ownership of such business, including the sale or transfer of a partnership interest or ten percent (10%) or more of the corporate stock of such business, be permitted unless such gun shop is relocated outside of the corporate boundaries of the Village. (Ord. 99-18, 12-6-1999, § 1.)
ming Posted April 3, 2013 at 07:53 PM Author Posted April 3, 2013 at 07:53 PM For those of you who got your range time at Illinois Gun Works, you're going to have to find a new range. I went there today to get some practice in only to find signs in the window stating "Store Closed". One of the employees said they were out of business. I don't know the reason or any details, but if anyone has any info please share. Looking back at it, the signs had been there for some time. There were no handguns or ARs in stock, buildings on either side had been demolished, basic repairs were not being made, etc. While I know some here have had differences with the ownership of IGW over their somewhat deplorable behavior in recent years (and I completely agree with you that it was pretty rotten), I hate to see a range closing down. I'm sure the antis are happy about it. If they can get enough stores, ranges, etc., to shut their doors we're SOL. *Loud Curse Word* I'm in the city and that was the closest range to my house! Also, elmwood park (where they are located)has a weird law stating: Sec. 52-24. Gun Shops Prohibited:In accordance with section 1407.03 of the Zoning Ordinance of the Village, the establishment of gun shops, in which the sale of firearms or firearms ammunition is conducted, is prohibited in the Village. Those gun shops that were legally licensed to do business prior to such prohibition being enacted, and which continue to be in existence on date of passage of this Section, may continue to be licensed, but no sale or transfer of substantially all of the assets of such business shall be permitted, nor shall the ownership of such business, including the sale or transfer of a partnership interest or ten percent (10%) or more of the corporate stock of such business, be permitted unless such gun shop is relocated outside of the corporate boundaries of the Village. (Ord. 99-18, 12-6-1999, § 1.) So I guess I shouldn't be looking for a new range to spring up in that location.
MrMonarch Posted April 3, 2013 at 07:58 PM Posted April 3, 2013 at 07:58 PM So I guess I shouldn't be looking for a new range to spring up in that location. Nor anywhere else in that village. Seriously F'd up. The ban on ranges in Chicago needs to be overturned.
ming Posted April 3, 2013 at 08:01 PM Author Posted April 3, 2013 at 08:01 PM So I guess I shouldn't be looking for a new range to spring up in that location. Nor anywhere else in that village. Seriously F'd up. The ban on ranges in Chicago needs to be overturned. I thought it was (Ezell?). Too many restrictions probably or not worthwhile financially.
MrMonarch Posted April 3, 2013 at 08:06 PM Posted April 3, 2013 at 08:06 PM So I guess I shouldn't be looking for a new range to spring up in that location. Nor anywhere else in that village. Seriously F'd up. The ban on ranges in Chicago needs to be overturned. I thought it was (Ezell?). Too many restrictions probably or not worthwhile financially. Yeah too many "Not within 1000ft of a residence"-esq restrictions more likely than not.
TFC Posted April 4, 2013 at 03:55 AM Posted April 4, 2013 at 03:55 AM Yep. Their web site is gone.They had a run-in with OSHA last year.That could be the reason.I wonder if they're going to relocate?
Mr. Fife Posted April 4, 2013 at 04:05 AM Posted April 4, 2013 at 04:05 AM Was it a good place? Nothing special really, except for the price and closeness to the city. They had ten lanes at 50 feet. Hand crank target hangers. Horrible ventilation. But you could shoot as long as you had ammo for $10. Towards the end, they changed it to a one hour limit on weekends, but still just $10. .
TyGuy Posted April 4, 2013 at 04:13 AM Posted April 4, 2013 at 04:13 AM Weird that their website went down the same day. No?
Mr. Fife Posted April 4, 2013 at 04:23 AM Posted April 4, 2013 at 04:23 AM Dunno. Just learned about it through this thread.
Fubar Posted April 4, 2013 at 04:40 AM Posted April 4, 2013 at 04:40 AM Well that's a bummer. In better times,http://youtu.be/nQq_qJtFF9s "What country can preserve it's liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms." (Thomas Jefferson to James Madison) ISRA, NRA, GOA.
RockerXX Posted April 4, 2013 at 05:01 AM Posted April 4, 2013 at 05:01 AM They had a run-in with OSHA last year.That could be the reason Yeah, likely sunk them, if the fines didn't sink them the cost of upgrade almost certainly would have... Proposed fines total $111,000. http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=22524
DjachDjach Posted April 4, 2013 at 05:15 AM Posted April 4, 2013 at 05:15 AM Wow! I just went there for the first time last Saturday. The staff made no mention of anything, so this kind of comes as a surprise. Was it a good place? it wasn't anything special, but the range fee was $10/unlimited so that was pretty decent.
ming Posted April 4, 2013 at 09:43 AM Author Posted April 4, 2013 at 09:43 AM Yep. Their web site is gone.They had a run-in with OSHA last year.That could be the reason.I wonder if they're going to relocate? I doubt they are going to relocate. I think they would have publicized that if so.
Lou Posted April 4, 2013 at 12:16 PM Posted April 4, 2013 at 12:16 PM What a coincidence that it closed just as the Crook County $25/gun tax kicked in.I guess they understood that gun sales would plummet.
C0untZer0 Posted April 4, 2013 at 12:29 PM Posted April 4, 2013 at 12:29 PM I was talking to Barry when he was waiting to open Article II. He kept getting delayed by inspectors on the ventilation. And I told him that I had been shooting in McHenry and the range there had air that you could taste, and Iwondered how could there be such a disparity? According to Barry, a gun range operates under the standards that were in place when they opened for business. But that is Illinois EPA Clean Air - it's not OSHA. So that obviously makes it very expensive to open a new range as compared to running an old range. I know Maxon's is opening a new range. I though it would be worth it for them to keep their existing range open and to run two ranges, but maybe not. The one time I went to Maxon's there was a 1 hour 45 minute wait.
nrainstr Posted April 4, 2013 at 02:23 PM Posted April 4, 2013 at 02:23 PM Mxson's is up and running 20 lanes 75 feet each.
Xwing Posted April 5, 2013 at 07:11 PM Posted April 5, 2013 at 07:11 PM Did anyone find out for sure why they closed? Anyone know the owners or an employee? I wonder if there were some strong-arm tactics by Chicago...
jkrzos Posted April 5, 2013 at 07:30 PM Posted April 5, 2013 at 07:30 PM Howdy, Don't forget about Chuck's Gun Shop in Riverdale. He's staunch 2nd Supporter, ISRA supporter. Has a nice range and John Riggio is a great guy. He's the father flakey(pfleger) wanted to snuff out. jkrzos
ming Posted April 5, 2013 at 07:37 PM Author Posted April 5, 2013 at 07:37 PM Did anyone find out for sure why they closed? Anyone know the owners or an employee? I wonder if there were some strong-arm tactics by Chicago... I kind of doubt Chicago got them out. I think it's possible that the owner (Don Mastrianni) either wanted to retire and/or just didn't want to pump any money into a building that was really starting to show its age with a leaking roof, somewhat less than satisfactory plumbing, etc. Since they demolished buildings on either side, it's also possible that he got a good chunk of cash for the property. I won't be surprised to see IGW demolished and something else built on the site in the very near future. Unfortunately, it won't be a range unless the current village ordinance is thrown out by the courts.
BobS Posted April 5, 2013 at 08:11 PM Posted April 5, 2013 at 08:11 PM http://bigjohnandamy.com/2013/01/don-mastrianni-of-illinois-gun-works-on-pres-obama-executive-orders-on-guns/
ming Posted April 5, 2013 at 08:12 PM Author Posted April 5, 2013 at 08:12 PM http://bigjohnandamy...orders-on-guns/ He's been interviewed many times recently.
DjachDjach Posted April 5, 2013 at 08:37 PM Posted April 5, 2013 at 08:37 PM I just thought of something... Besides my bro-in-law there were 3 or 4 other guys (and a gal) who applied for their FOID card when we were there last saturday. I'm sure hoping those applications will make their way through, but I guess we'll have to wait 14-18 weeks to see.
C0untZer0 Posted April 5, 2013 at 08:57 PM Posted April 5, 2013 at 08:57 PM I'm not sure but I think they're cashing checks sooner than 14 weeks... They could just watch their checking accounts.
DjachDjach Posted April 5, 2013 at 09:55 PM Posted April 5, 2013 at 09:55 PM I'm not sure but I think they're cashing checks sooner than 14 weeks... They could just watch their checking accounts. They were accepting 'cash only.' So basically, no paper trail! Anyway, we'll see...
Fubar Posted April 5, 2013 at 10:03 PM Posted April 5, 2013 at 10:03 PM Can't confirm but rumor has it that IGW cut a deal with village to allow a CVS or Walgreens be built there and they are relocating still in EP. "A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves"Richard Henry Leewriting in Letters from the Federal Farmer to the Republic, Letter XVIII, May, 1788.
ming Posted April 5, 2013 at 10:29 PM Author Posted April 5, 2013 at 10:29 PM Can't confirm but rumor has it that IGW cut a deal with village to allow a CVS or Walgreens be built there and they are relocating still in EP. "A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves"Richard Henry Leewriting in Letters from the Federal Farmer to the Republic, Letter XVIII, May, 1788. That would be great but is doesn't square with the village ordinance in post #2, unless that was part of the deal.
C0untZer0 Posted April 5, 2013 at 10:35 PM Posted April 5, 2013 at 10:35 PM Even so - a new range is going to be way more expensive to build and to run - compared to an older existing range.
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