Our Purpose

We are a not-for-profit organization. Our purpose can be explained, in part, by this excerpt from Article Two of our national bylaws:

...We recognize all aspects of self and community defense to include topics such as firearms, disaster relief, medicine, logistics, agriculture, general survival skills, and other pursuits necessary to unify and strengthen communities against the hardships of life under capitalism. We seek, advocate for, and advance an inclusive, safe, and healthy firearms culture in America to combat the toxic... and exclusionary firearm culture in place today. We work to create a platform, environment, and community of members and like-minded individuals that are free of reactionary influences and prejudices, such as racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, and other discriminatory ideologies. We maintain the necessity of and work towards the implementation of an anti-capitalist platform for protecting and promoting the inherent human right to defend oneself and one’s community."

what we do

Community

Over the years we've partnered with different organizations in and around Chicago to build solidarity within the community, while advancing our mission of self and community defense. For example, during winter, we collected tents and cold-weather supplies in collaboration with a local organization to give to those experiencing homelessness in the Chicago area. 

Another important aspect of our organization is the support structure we've created for members, providing emotional, financial, or other types of support whenever possible, to the best of our individual members' abilities. 

Education

Members host and have participated in Stop the Bleed and other first aid courses, Narcan administration training, emergency response and radio communications training throughout the Chicagoland area. We also do firearms education and firearms cleaning events, so members have the opportunity to learn how to safely and properly maintain their firearms and to build understanding of the different parts and how they go together. 

Social

We don't limit our community building to our time on the range. We arrange social events that allow people to participate and share information at their level of comfort. Such events include online and offline game nights, museum trips, camping or hunting trips, and bar or restaurant meetups.

Shooting

As part of our mission to create a safe space for vulnerable people and communities to learn about self- and community- defense, we also gather for a wide range of shooting sports. 

The Chicago SRA plans monthly range days at different indoor and outdoor shooting ranges in the Chicago area. This is a great opportunity to meet people in a safe environment, develop your skills, get tips, and try out different firearms.

In addition, members meet for local competitions and shooting sports. Recent examples include practical rifle and IDPA competitions and shotgun sports such as trap, skeet, and sporting clays. If there's something you're interested in, there are probably other members that would be interested as well, so it's easy to get a group together.