The Cat’s Away…the Mice Will Play!

As the saying goes, while the cat’s away, the mice will play!   IFC’s illustrious President, Dave Funk, who normally pens this message, decided he needed a little vacation.  Reluctantly, we let him go.  (Hope you’re having a good time, Dave!)  So, this message is a look back at the year so far and a couple of things to come.

Legislation

2023 has already been quite a year for IFC members.  Granted, the legislature did not deliver for us, but it was not for lack of effort!  Our volunteer Lobbyist, Richard Rogers, spent every day at the Capitol impressing on the legislators the importance of the bills we were supporting and trying to garner the votes needed to pass them.  Michael Ware, also on the Board of Directors, put in countless hours, and others wrote pieces explaining the purpose of each bill and why it was important,  drafted information pieces for our members, and wrote letters for our members to submit via Action Alerts.  (If you haven’t used our Action Center yet, take a look here.)

All to no avail…I can tell you that IFC is not used to this!  Historically, IFC has helped to get many 2A bills ‘over the finish line’ (and “killed” many bills that never should see the light of day).  If you want to see just how effective IFC has been over the years, look here.  But you can’t win them all, unfortunately, and we now have information about the opposition to these bills so will be better able to position them for success next Session.  As Arnold Schwarzenegger says, “I’ll be back!”.

2A Lobby Day 2023

Then, in February, there was 2A Lobby Day.  Of course, it snowed and it WAS windy and cold, but that did not stop folks from trekking to the Capitol.  If you missed it, I’m sorry.  Kris Paronto “Tanto” of legendary Benghazi fame, talked straight from the heart to the attendees in the Rotunda.

  He and his team were the victims of red tape, indecision, politics and bureaucracy — delays and bad decisions that cost Ambassador Stevens his life.  Tanto and his team were absolutely caught out, seriously outgunned.  No one came to their rescue–all night long.  Since no one (on the other side) was in uniform, one of the biggest challenges was identifying the friendlies from the terrorists.  His retelling of the story was detailed, heart-wrenching, and raw.  It was clear that his life, and the lives of his team, were irrevocably changed.  If you did miss the event, be sure to watch 13 Hours.

2A Lobby Day 2024

In the meantime, SAVE THE DATE!  January 18, 2024, at the Capitol for the 2024 2A Lobby Day.  Gabby Franco (competitive shooter previously featured on Top Shot, and Walther Firearms representative) moved to the US from Venezuela and is now a US Citizen.  Her story is compelling and a cautionary tale about what can happen if we don’t protect our Second Amendment rights.  More information to come!

First Responder Training April 2023

Now rewind to April and a day of First Responder & Self Defense Training in Newton.  Organized by Michael Ware, and John McLaughlin (who conducted the training), this event was held in a church in Newton.  172 people attended and they learned about situational awareness, concealment, and cover, how and when to apply a tourniquet, or use a chest seal or pack a wound.  They also learned “Firearms 101” and practiced with pepper spray (inert cannisters).  It was a fantastic day.  Many church security folks were there.  Several farmers and farmers’ wives, and their kids, also attended.  One shared with me that she wanted to come because, “If he’s out on the tractor and one of the kids gets hurt, I need to know what to do”.

On The Border 2023

Just this past week, I had an eye-opening trip (not affiliated with IFC) to the Yuma sector of our border in Arizona.  Our group heard from the Mayor of Yuma, the recently retired Chief of the Border Patrol/Yuma Sector, farmers and educators and health care providers working in the area, the Sheriff, and other Border Patrol agents on the job.  I have actually spent 25 years of my life living along the border (not in the Yuma sector), so I thought I had a pretty good grasp of the situation but “Dorothy, we’re not in Kansas anymore!”  Things have definitely changed since the last administration and now that Title 42 has expired, the situation is even more grim.  The impacts to public safety, hospitals and other medical facilities, and to the schools is horrendous.  The number of apprehensions is staggering and the amount of fentanyl (and other drugs) coming across is unfathomable.

The border wall — where it exists — really is a great big beautiful wall (as shown in photo below)…with gaps that are as wide as two tour busses end-to-end in some places.  This “gap” wasn’t quite that large.  Perhaps only as wide as a single tour bus.

We were told that apprehensions over the past year were from 140 countries, with apprehensions from Mexico ranking 8th or 9th.

  They are seeing more people attempt border crossings from Russia and China; the highest number of apprehensions was single Adult Males.  It was an informative, astounding and disheartening trip.  The need for border security and for immigration reform is paramount.

Next Up:  IFC Educator Academy

Looking forward, IFC is hosting the IFC Educator’s Academy August 15-17 for eighteen very fortunate Iowa school employees who will spend three jam-packed days learning from experts about Active Shooter situations in schools and being trained on how to effectively counter that threat.  IFC is not only putting this program together and bringing in the experts, but is sponsoring $1,000 scholarships for those fortunate school employees, to cover the cost of the program.  If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, or to learn more about the program, check out the link above.

Join IFC!

Yes, we are that busy!  Keep in mind, IFC is an all-volunteer organization.  If you want to get involved, JOIN IFC!  We are always looking for new talent to help out with these events and at gun shows…(Oops!  I forgot to mention the numerous gun shows!)  Oh, and I forgot to mention the weekly vlog from John McLaughlin “Warrior Wednesdays“!  There is indeed a lot going on at IFC.  We could really use some help with those gun shows, with graphic design, event coordination, and to help further develop our Trusted Partners program, which is one of the ways we are adding value to your membership.

Thus ends the “surrogate President’s Message” for the week!   🙂