IFC is often asked if we support the NRA. It helps to seek the context of such a question. In every question or statement, we should always search for the context behind it so we can ascertain the premise. When we don’t, we skip vital information and risk arriving at the wrong conclusions. Always be cognizant of this.
Some people are searching for our affiliations when they ask us about the NRA. IFC has worked its tail off for years to move from being an affiliate club to the one and only official NRA State Association in Iowa. Through years of hard work and perseverance, we accomplished this lofty goal in January of 2019. This coveted recognition is reserved for the very best of the best and we continued to work daily with the NRA.
The legislation alone we’ve pushed forth with NRA-ILA is akin to moving mountains. If you look at where Iowa was just a bit over a decade ago, things were average at best. With Shall Issue, Castle Doctrine, Preemption, Stand Your Ground, Dove Hunting, Constitutional Carry, repeals of a dozen bans ranging from Youth Shooting to ATV and Bow Hunting Carry to legalization of Suppressors, SBR, and SBS, the list of liberties opened up to Iowans, is nearly too long to list.
From a “programs” standpoint, as the NRA Official State Association here in Iowa, we brought the first Refuse to be Victim classes into the fold. IFC arranged the first NRA School Shield training for Iowa’s Law Enforcement community. IFC and NRA work together to put on various meetings, rallies, and our huge 2A Day at the Iowa Capitol each year. Some of IFC’s sponsored shooters took top marks at the NRA Nationals in 2019. These are all things that would be exponentially harder without NRA’s cooperation and we’re glad we work together on your behalf. We do these things for others, not ourselves.
The other question we see is one regarding subjects like Wayne LaPierre or specific allegiances at NRA. People want to know if we support Wayne LaPierre or we denounce him. Frankly, that’s a false choice at this point, and we’re not entertaining it. I, like you, have serious questions I expect to have answered about operations within the NRA. However, I also understand that NRA is in the fight of its life against the behemoth we know as New York State for their right to even exist, as they are chartered in the State of New York. Every shred of communication they offer can and likely will be used against them in New York’s court. Thus, I understand not offering up words that will be twisted in court at this moment. My hope is the NRA gets done with this suit, moves the charter to a friendly state, and we learn the truth about the questions we have.
I have no doubt mistakes have been made. Why? Because the NRA is comprised of human beings and we’re prone to err. I won’t be dicing up anyone without the full facts, and I won’t complicate the issue by juxtaposing what I hear with brash statements, conspiracy theories, or grand claims. I have no doubt mistakes have been made, but frankly, I’m more concerned with how the mistakes have been realized and corrected than I am with playing the blame game. I, personally, worked for years under the kind of short-sided management that was more interested in blowing their stack over a mistake than illuminating and repairing the core problem so we could avoid the mistake a second time. I’m chiefly interested in those kinds of healthy and wise actions.
I recognize NRA has external and internal challenges. We all do, whether as organizations, corporations, congregations, or families. IFC holds the relationship we enjoy with NRA in the highest of value. I won’t be letting a series of well-timed hit pieces coming from New York publications and New York authors as the state of New York shakes down the NRA simultaneously, reshape my fundamental reverence for an organization like the NRA that has done so much for 2nd Amendment virtues over the span of nearly 150 years. I want the facts, but I’m willing to wait until they become available. If I form an opinion without them, I’m guilty of the same nonsense our opposition employs as they lobby against our fundamental civil rights on a daily basis.
As the longest-standing civil rights group in the country, NRA has my support.
-Michael Ware – IFC Board
First I would like to say I have been a Life member of the NRA for several decades and can remember a time when the NRA was a good organization. Unfortunately it has befallen from the same things things that have made Our Federal Government ineffective and hostile to the 2A. They have become a part of the Bureaucracy of Government and lost their way to all the excesses that partnership affords. Dealing at the Federal level has become a game where all the members have to play by the rules of the game to be accepted. Which often requires backroom deals and compromises just to be able to play. I have hopes that the NRA can 1 day arise from the ashes of it’s former self and once again be the Great organization it once was, but with the current Leadership and structure. I don’t see any good coming from the organization. That is why the efforts at the state and local areas have become so important. By voting the like minded people into office. Iowans have done more to change the landscape of 2nd Amendment support. Than all the efforts of the NRA combined over the last decade. As Iowans continue to move closer to become a FREE State through state legislation and the Freedom Amendment. It will become easier to apply pressure on Our Representatives in the HOR and Senators in D.C. to strive to truly show their support for the 2nd Amendment through National Legislation, In Liberty: Thomas Smith
If it wasn’t for the NRA we wouldn’t even have BB guns.
Michael: This is one of the best editorials we have ever read! Thoughtful, Intelligent and correct through every syllable. Our family have been NRA Life Members for over 50 years. We hope the NRA will be able to continue moving forward. The support of The NRA by The IFC is very important to all of us. We are proud NRA members and also are proud IFC members. Well done Michael!
Well put! My Dad was in the Army and I grew up around several sayings generated from a military life that have stood me in good stead since. In this case, the phrase “Wait and see, like on a furlough”, comes to mind!
I’ve never been convinced the nra is fully committed to the cause of gun rights. But your points are well taken and even tepid support for gun rights is support for gun rights. The nra isn’t what I wish it was, but good on you for standing by them in the fight against New York’s government. We all should advocate that the nra be better, not just kick them to the curb. They’re still the 800lb gorilla organization-wise in this battle for the natural right to keep and bear arms.