Any gun in the hands of a decent person is no threat to anybody — except bad people…
-Charlton Heston
Omnibus Gun Bill still on the table – multiple paths forward still available
Week 18 Review
We did not see any movement on SF427 last week as the Senate Leadership continues to ignore calls by several bi-partisan organizations to bring it up for a vote. The legislative session continues to move beyond its normal end date and could adjourn at any time. An Appropriations Standings Bill appears to be the only thing holding up an end to this year’s session.
Week 19 Preview
With the legislative session going beyond its normal length, we find ourselves in a unique position of having additional time to persuade the Iowa Senate to take up SF427. This bill remains viable, and needs only to be brought up for a vote by Senate Majority Leader Gronstal (D). If Gronstal continues to ignore the majority of Iowans, other options remain to facilitate pro-gun legislation this session.
The Appropriations Standings Bill was approved by the Iowa Senate last week and was sent to the Iowa House for consideration. Further refusal on the part of the Senate Leadership to bring SF427 up for a vote may force the Iowa House to add an amendment to the Appropriations Bill with language from the Omnibus Gun Bill. While it is unclear at this time what path will be taken to pass meaningful pro-Second Amendment legislation this session, the fact remains that we are still in the fight with options on the table.
What You Can Do
As 2016 approaches, we will remember who our friends are and will do everything in our power to help them maintain their positions in the Legislature. Similarly, we will remember who worked against us by not living up to their word and failing to fulfill their mandate as a body representative of the people.
The Iowa House has done an outstanding job this session representing the best interest of Iowans on 2nd Amendment issues, and we owe a debt of gratitude to them and their leadership for all their hard work up to this point. We must take the time to let them know that their efforts do not go unnoticed.
Time is short and the pressure to adjourn is on. We need your help to make a final blitz on the Omnibus Gun Bill, be it in the form of SF427 or as an Amendment to the Standings Appropriations Bill.
Our message to the Legislature as a whole needs to be unified and clear: We want the language found in the Omnibus Gun Bill adopted in whatever form is possible, and we want it done this year.
We must thank the Iowa House for their hard work, and ask that they hang in there a final push is made to get the Senate to take action on protecting and expanding Second Amendment freedoms for Iowans everywhere.
Senate:
Email the Senate – Tell them their inaction on the Omnibus Gun Bill will be considered the same as a ‘No’ vote!
Senate Leadership email addresses are as follows: mike.gronstal@legis.
The Senate switchboard will open for calls tomorrow (Monday) afternoon.
Call them and leave a message – (515)281-3371 – “The Omnibus Gun Bill deserves a vote! It’s time to do what’s right for the people of Iowa. Pass meaningful pro-2nd Amendment legislation this year!
Ask that the message is delivered to your Senator as well as the Senate leadership.
House:
Email the House of Representatives – Thank them for their ongoing support and urge them to keep fighting for Second Amendment issues until the final gavel!
The House switchboard will open for calls tomorrow (Monday) afternoon.
Call them and leave a message – (515)281-3221 – “THANK YOU to the House leadership for their continued support of Second Amendment issues. Please keep fighting for our rights until the final gavel!”
Ask that the message is delivered to the House Leadership as well as to your House member.
Iowa Firearms Coalition is an entirely volunteer, grassroots, Second Amendment advocacy group. Responsible for bringing uniformity to Iowa’s Concealed Weapons Permitting process, IFC’s members work to protect and enhance Second Amendment rights in Iowa. An affiliate of the National Rifle Association, the IFC actively seeks to foster and promote the shooting sports. Sign up for our email list for the latest on Second Amendment issues in Iowa. You can support our work by becoming a member, or making a donation.
I have been in contact with both the Senate and the house and keep urging them to pass SF427 somehow. I am keeping up the fight!
I’ve been doing some research. This is all new to me. The standings bill or standing appropriations bill (often referred to as kitchen sink or christmas tree) is a last ditch effort to compile all loose ends into one giant bill. Democrats had their say and additions to it last week and now Republicans are adding to it this week. Sounds like items that were previously voted/approved via bipartisan are easily added, but the Dems are adding stuff that never received a popular vote. So that is why there is still hope for some of our 2nd amendment items. So the fight is not lost. Spread the word people. Keep the e-mails and phone calls going!
Troy Young, USAF Retired
Kurt, thank you for the reply. I made my 2 phone calls and will call again tomorrow. I continue with the daily emails as well. I’m doing everything I can. Thanks to everyone else for doing the same. We are all in this together.
V/R
Troy Young, USAF Retired
Question. I have been emailing our reps and senators daily. My question is how does the switchboard work? You guys suggest calling and leaving messages in the afternoon, why? The few times I’ve called, I’ve actually got a live person on the phone. I will admit I haven’t called in a couple weeks though. I will be calling every day this week and the next and the next, etc… if needed. If they stay working that is. Anyway, just curious if you could answer those questions. I am a member bye the way, and I thank you all for what you do. If we don’t continue to fight for our rights, our liberties, we most certainly will lose them.
Very Respectfully,
Troy Young, USAF Retired
Pleasant Hill Iowa
Troy, you can call anytime the Senate (or House for that matter) is in session. You won’t actually be connected to the legislators, which is why we say you should leave a message. They most definitely check the messages. Some will call you back, but in reality most won’t. The real value comes from our members contacting them en masse, and proving that Second Amendment bills truly do have the support of the people.
Keep calling the Senate, but as we said, call the House as well. Their commitment to Second Amendment issues has been long standing, and the House leadership (Paulson, Upmeyer and Windschitl) most definitely deserve our thanks — it also doesn’t hurt that they’ll be arguing our case during the 2015 Appropriations negotiations, which as we’ve said is one of the potential ways we can get the Omnibus bill passed. 🙂
Keep up the great work, and most importantly thanks for your support. We need more guy taking action like you are!
-KL
To whom it may concern,
I am so frustrated at our government at this point. I urge you all to take action on this bill that has been voted on by the people and more than ready to go forward. I will be paying very close attention as each and everyone of you vote.
Kevin Williamson