by Dave Funk | Jan 17, 2025
ATF IGNORES THE COURTS; NRA CLEANS HOUSE; AND 24% OF VOTERS CARRY GUNS
Well, the ATF ignores the Courts, the NRA cleans house, and 24% of November voters carry guns. This last week has been a mixed bag of 2A News for this week’s 2A Wrap-Up, so here we go!
ATF IS IGNORING THE COURTS ON PISTOL BRACES
AmmoLand reported that the ATF just sent a letter to an individual member of Gun Owners of America that states the ATF can still enforce the ban on pistols equipped with stabilizing devices.
“On December 12, 2024, a member of Gun Owners of America received a response to the question posed to ATF, signed not by any identifiable ATF official, but rather generically ‘FIPB,’ standing for ATF’s Firearms Industry Programs Branch (attached with personal information redacted),” GOA Senior Vice President Erich Pratt wrote to Assistant Director, Office of Enforcement Programs and Services Megan Bennett. “In this December 12, 2024 email, FIPB adopted a legal position about pistol braces that is (i) at odds with the opinions of various courts to have considered the Rule, (ii) likely in violation of various injunctions against ATF’s enforcement of the Rule, and (iii) in conflict with the statute and even the Final Rule itself.”
Remember that this is the agency that has killed people in pre-dawn raids when a simple call to them would have accomplished the goal of searching the home. They also gave its outgoing Director an 80% Lower, as a parting gift. We at IFC will monitor this story and update you as it develops.
NRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS CLEANING HOUSE
As reported at The Reload, the NRA BOD has ended its relationship with the erratically effective Brewer Law Firm.
The partnership between the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the architect of its legal strategy for the last half-decade is now ending.
Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors announced late last month it will no longer represent the NRA going forward. The firm and its namesake, William Brewer, have been instrumental in direction-defining decisions the gun-rights group has made since its corruption scandal broke into public sight in 2018. Those decisions resulted in the NRA splitting from its top contractor, filing for bankruptcy, wiping out its top leadership–including Wayne LaPierre, and being found liable by a New York jury for failing to protect whistle-blowers during a years-long civil trial.
However, as Brewer noted, they also secured a unanimous victory at the Supreme Court and prevented the group’s total dissolution or even the appointment of a government overseer.
“With resolve befitting its mission, the NRA stood and fought,” the firm said in a statement on its website. “Six years later, the NRA still stands – and so do the freedoms for which it has long fought. The Firm is proud it represented the NRA in its blockbuster 9-0 Supreme Court victory, its defeat of the NYAG’s ‘corporate death penalty’ and compliance-monitor claims, its separation from corrupt vendors, and dozens of other matters.”
“The greatest reward of this work arrives now: with major litigation threats defeated, the Firm’s work is nearly done,” it added.
Not everyone inside the group agrees, though. While NRA President Bob Barr, former President Charles Cotton, and other longtime board members have remained staunch Brewer supporters through the firm’s tenure, a growing number of board members have questioned Brewer’s legal strategy–with many effectively voting against the firm’s representation in the group’s last meeting. Jeff Knox, an NRA board member and reform leader, said Brewer’s statement showed the firm “would rather ride off into the sunset than be tossed out into the street,” while Rocky Marshall, another reformer board member, labeled it “comical.”
As the Iowa Official NRA State Association, we work closely with NRA staff on a near-daily basis. As the New York AG attack on the NRA is over, it’s heartening to see that the NRA BOD is cleaning house and more effectively administrating its operations.
24% OF VOTERS LAST NOVEMBER REGULARLY CARRY WEAPONS
From Dr. John Lott’s January 3rd Newsletter:
“Another survey that we commissioned asked about how often people carry concealed handguns. Nationwide, 13.1% of general election voters carry all or most of the time, and another 11.2% carry some of the time or rarely (so that comes to 24.3% carry).”
Taking rights away from an educated public that is actively exercising those rights daily. Dr. Lott is a real asset to the 2A Community and you can follow him on X here.
IFC’S TRUSTED PARTNER OF THE WEEK: CROSSROADS SHOOTING SPORTS
At Crossroads Shooting Sports; We know that buying a firearm can be intimidating and uncomfortable, especially if it will be your first purchase. Using an online new pistol buying guide can help you sort out the jargon and find out what you need to know before buying, but you’ll still need training and one-to-one support to help you.
When we envisioned CrossRoads Shooting Sports, we had a different model in mind: open, modern, and clean with no attitudes, no pressure, and no gimmicks. Whether it’s your first time holding a firearm, or you’re an experienced shooter looking for that latest piece of gear, you will be met by professionals whose only goal is to serve you with a humble spirit. With nearly 17,000 square feet of total space, classroom facilities, and a state-of-the-art indoor shooting range, CrossRoads Shooting Sports is here to meet your needs, at your level, when you are ready.
Please take advantage of your IFC Member discounts when patronizing this great IFC-supporting business.
2A LOBBY DAY AND THE IFC-PAC DINNER
2A Day on February 18th at the State Capitol is fast approaching. Don’t forget to get your tickets now, for the IFC-PAC BBQ Dinner that evening with Iowa Hero, Major Jeff Streucker of Black Hawk Down Fame.
Please stay Ready at All Times, and help us defend all of Iowa’s rights by renewing or joining IFC today.
Shoot Straight, Speak The Truth, and Never Surrender Our Liberties.
Dave Funk
Member, Board of Directors
Iowa Firearms Coalition
#2A4IA
by Dave Funk | Jan 10, 2025
NET NEUTRALITY AND THE SECOND AMENDMENT
Net Neutrality and the Second Amendment — what do they have to do with each other, you might ask? A lot it turns out. Think about the continued increases in both the size and scope of the Federal Government during the last 100 years.
NET NEUTRALITY
First, what is Net Neutrality? “Net neutrality” was a term coined by Columbia University law professor Tim Wu in a 2003 paper titled “Network Neutrality, Broadband Discrimination.” I first heard of it from the tech guys when I entered the political candidate realm in 2009-2010. To sum it up, it was and is the concept that Internet Service Providers should not be allowed to throttle content to only those that they wanted, thereby stifling the free exchange of ideas and free speech. But in practice, it was a poorly disguised power grab by the Leftists in the Administrative State.
Not surprisingly, Obama seized the opportunity to use the Federal Communications Commission to silence his opposition. He tried to expand the power of the FCC to regulate ISPs in 2015 by imposing Net Neutrality rules. President Trump’s FCC Commissioner quickly rolled back those regulations. However, Biden’s minions reimposed those restrictive rules in April of 2024. Remember, the FCC only has authority over the airwaves, like radio and television, in the electromagnetic spectrum.
Sixth Circuit Decision
Those Biden rules were quickly challenged in multiple Federal District Courts. The challenges were ultimately consolidated to the Sixth Judicial District. Correctly, Circuit Judge Richard Griffin, writing for a unanimous panel, just slapped them down:
“That brings us to today. The Safeguarding Order once more imposes net-neutrality policies on Broadband Internet Service Providers by reclassifying broadband Internet as a telecommunications service subject to common-carrier regulation under Title II. 89 Fed. Reg. at 45404.3 This order—issued during the Biden administration—undoes the order issued during the first Trump administration, which undid the order issued during the Obama administration, which undid orders issued during the Bush and Clinton administrations. Cf. Loper Bright, 144 S. Ct. at 2288 (Gorsuch, J., concurring) (lamenting that “Chevron deference engender[ed] constant uncertainty and convulsive change even when the statute at issue itself remains unchanged”). Applying Loper Bright means we can end the FCC’s vacillations.”
Google, Facebook, and NetFlix were all in on those rules, looking to further monopolize the marketplace and stifle competition. However, unless appealed to the Supreme Court (or unless Congress acts to impose these bad ideas), it looks like the final nail is in the coffin of expanding the FCC’s power to regulate the internet.
This is an important decision and a major win for the First Amendment. This decision further reins in the Administrative State and protects our fundamental human rights. Think of FaceBook’s anti-gun content policies, or the Blue States attempting to outlaw 3D Printing file-sharing to stop the private production of personal firearms or other accessories.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT IN 2025
As Iowans, we need to ask ourselves if we want to emulate New York City, (or nearly all Blue cities) where people are afraid to protect strangers and cower in fear over doing the right thing. Or will we stay true to our Iowa motto: “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain”?
Iowans proved in 2022 that we have courage when we overwhelmingly passed The Freedom Amendment. Let’s remain a Free State where courage is celebrated, and not prosecuted like in New York.
2A LOBBY DAY AND THE IFC-PAC DINNER
2A Day on February 18th at the State Capitol is fast approaching! Don’t forget to get your tickets for the IFC-PAC BBQ Dinner that evening with Iowa Hero, Major Jeff Streucker of Black Hawk Down Fame.
Please stay Ready at All Times, and help us defend all of Iowa’s rights by renewing or joining IFC today.
Shoot Straight, Speak The Truth, and Never Surrender Our Liberties.
Dave Funk
Member, Board of Directors
Iowa Firearms Coalition
#2A4IA
by Dave Funk | Dec 31, 2024
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM IFC
We at the Iowa Firearms Coalition all hope that you have a Happy New Year and that 2025 turns out to be a great year not just for you, but also for the expansion of our Second Amendment freedoms, and for America.
IFC 2025 Legislative Agenda
IFC has listened to its members and has been working on legislative language to address your concerns. Here is the legislative platform for 2025. Be sure to attend 2A Day to learn more about these bills and to encourage your legislators to support them!
Safer Families Act
(provisions of HF654 – passed by the House on April 12, 2023)
- Intended to eliminate most of the few remaining “No Guns Zones” in Iowa law:
- Repeals ban on firearms and ammunition in:
- Vehicles on the grounds of correctional facilities
- Vehicles in publicly accessible parking lots operated by state or local government
- Vehicles transporting foster children
- School vehicles transporting pupils (authorized armed staff only)
- Allows for permit holders to have a concealed handgun in their vehicle when dropping off or picking up at a school
- Prohibits state universities and community colleges from banning lawfully possessed weapons in vehicles on their grounds
- Repeals the ban on firearms in state-licensed gambling facilities
- Repeals the statutes on “manner of conveyance” of long guns in vehicles
- Provides for firearm safety Instruction in schools
- Provides necessary clean-up of some language in Iowa Code 724 in the wake of the 2021 adoption of permitless carry of weapons
Full 2A Rights for Young Adults
- IFC will again seek to remove statutory restrictions on handguns affecting young adults aged 18-20.
- 2A/4A Protection in Private Parking Lots
- IFC will again seek to pass legislation prohibiting employers from disciplining or firing employees who lawfully possess weapons or ammunition in their vehicles on employer provided parking areas.
Repeal Firearms Devices Section 724.29
- This is causing problems with sales of binary triggers and similar devices.
Gadsden Flag License Plate to Fund 2A Education and Training
- IFC will seek to create an Iowa Gadsden Flag license plate, with funds devoted to 2A education and training, with first priority to IFC or similar groups.
- Require Iowa Government Agencies to Auction Seized Firearms
- IFC will seek to require public disposition of seized firearms, rather than have them all go to the state’s crime lab or be destroyed.
- Remove Conservation Officers’ Authority for Warrantless Searches
- Investigations on private property must honor Fourth Amendment rights by requiring probable cause, permission, or a warrant.
2A LOBBY DAY AND THE IFC-PAC DINNER
I’m looking forward to meeting you at 2A Day on February 18th at the State Capitol where you will have a chance to talk to your legislators about the need for these legislative changes. Also, don’t forget to get your tickets for the IFC-PAC BBQ Dinner that evening, with Iowa Hero, Major Jeff Streucker of Black Hawk Down Fame.
Please stay Ready at All Times, and help us defend all of Iowa’s rights by renewing or joining IFC today.
Shoot Straight, Speak The Truth, and Never Surrender Our Liberties.
Dave Funk
Member, Board of Directors
Iowa Firearms Coalition
#2A4IA
by Dave Funk | Dec 24, 2024
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM IFC
We all hear it every year: “Happy Holidays” — but I prefer to say Merry Christmas! After all, Christ is the reason for the season.
I’m making this week’s 2A Wrap Up message short. I just want to bring a few things to your attention. If you’ve been watching the news, you know that two really scary things have happened this last week.
Horrific Events This Past Week
The first one was on December 20th in Magdeburg, Germany where a man of Saudi Arabian descent drove a car into a crowd at a Christmas market. At least two people were killed, and 60-80 injured. This has happened before – in both Europe and the United States. I’ll point out that police officers with guns arrested the driver.
The second event was just as frightening when a sleeping woman was set afire in a New York City subway car on December 22nd. A Guatemalan immigrant was arrested. He had been detained briefly in Arizona in 2018 by the US Border Patrol, and then released into the interior of our country. Not surprisingly, as this attack was happening, the Governor of New York was patting herself on the back on X for how safe New York City’s subways have become under her leadership. Where was the next Daniel Penny when we needed him?
I bring these two attacks to light to remind everyone to stay alert during Christmas and remember why God sent his only son to save us from our sins.
Make sure you attend 2A Day on February 18th at the State Capitol and get your tickets for the IFC-PAC BBQ Dinner that evening with Iowa Hero, Major Jeff Struecker of Black Hawk Down Fame.
Please stay Ready at All Times, and help us defend all of Iowa’s rights by renewing or joining IFC today.
Shoot Straight, Speak The Truth, and Never Surrender Our Liberties.
Dave Funk
Member, Board of Directors
Iowa Firearms Coalition
#2A4IA
by Dave Funk | Dec 17, 2024
UNINFORMED JUDGES, DELAY IN SNOPE CASE, AND THE NRA SETTLES
In the last few weeks, we have seen uninformed judges, a delay in the Snope case, and the NRA settles with the State of New York and lives on.
Uninformed Judges
Federal Court judges can be downright ridiculous sometimes. I’ve used the term uninformed, but anyone with internet access can educate themselves in less than an hour on rifle action types and how powerful any given cartridge is relative to another.
Judge Harvey Wilkinson made this stupid statement in court:
Judge Wilkinson asked the appellants’ counsel Pete Patterson:
“Have you ever fired an M-16?” Counsel: “I have not your Honor.” Judge Wilkinson: “Well I have and we used them when I was in the Army Reserve. That was way back, way way back.” (He served in 1968-69.)
Judge Wilkinson went on to state:
“And when we took shots at the targets, wherever we hit, there was nothing left, the kick was so powerful that when the bullets hit the human beings, it splintered them into all sorts of little pieces, there was very little left of the human being, and that was a very earlier model of the M16, and since then it’s been perfected, and perfected, and perfected into an even more lethal weapon than the ones that I used.”
Fortunately, author Stephen Halbrook in a recent Reason Magazine article does a masterful job of explaining why the AR15 originally produced in 5.56 NATO, and these days in many other chamberings, is far less powerful than the cartridges used by millions of deer hunters across America.
Snope v. Brown (State of Maryland)
In the Snope case, the question is whether the Constitution permits the State of Maryland to ban semiautomatic rifles that are in common use for lawful purposes, including the most popular rifle in America.
Major breaking news also last week was that the Supreme Court delayed scheduling its conferencing decision on Snope and the Ocean State Tactical v Rhode Island (OST) case.
The two questions in the OST case are 1) Whether a retrospective and confiscatory ban on the possession of ammunition feeding devices that are in common use violates the Second Amendment. 2) Whether a law dispossessing citizens without compensation of property that they lawfully acquired and long possessed without incident violates the Takings Clause.
The significance here is that multiple cases out of the blue states might be combined, and under Heller and Bruen, hopefully struck down in the Courts next term. Second Amendment defender Mark A. Smith at The Four Boxes Diner has a short video on his assessment here.
NRA Settles With Jihad’s NY Attorney General
The National Rifle Association settled the lawsuit last week with the State of New York. Tom Knighton at BearingArms summed it up best with this comment:
“Letitia James declared a jihad against them. She spoke openly about how she wanted to destroy the organization. She likened NRA members to terrorists. She made it her mission to hurt the NRA.”
We all have opinions on how the NRA has been managed in recent years. The good news is that the legal expenses the membership has been enduring regarding this seem to be behind us now. As the NRA Official State Association, IFC proudly works closely with the NRA daily. I’m optimistic that the NRA will become stronger and better managed going forward.
Obama/Biden/Harris
Finally, America’s long ordeal with the Obama/Biden/Harris nightmare is coming to a close. Biden is still trying to re-write history about his pathetic legacy with the latest attempt in a press release on the twelfth anniversary of the Sandy Hook school shooting. From the press release:
“After four years under my administration, homicides are down, crime is falling, and we are seeing fewer mass shootings. This progress is no accident,” he continued. “Still, more must be done.”
Apparently, Biden’s minion who wrote this for him still believes the FBI-doctored crime numbers. The same ones his Administration has repeatedly revised upwards. That incredible press release was followed by another one by Biden’s minions on December 16th, touting how much better off the country is economically today than when he took office four years ago. Biden’s party has to rewrite history if they have any chance to win back power in the future.
We can’t be done with these dangerous quacks soon enough.
Upcoming Event!
Make sure you attend 2A Day on February 18th at the State Capitol and get your tickets for the IFC-PAC BBQ Dinner that evening with Iowa Hero, Major Jeff Streucker of Black Hawk Down Fame.
Please stay Ready at All Times, and help us defend all of Iowa’s rights by renewing or joining IFC today.
Shoot Straight, Speak The Truth, and Never Surrender Our Liberties.
Dave Funk
Member, Board of Directors
Iowa Firearms Coalition
#2A4IA
As reported at The Reload, the NRA BOD has ended its relationship with the erratically effective Brewer Law Firm. 
2A LOBBY DAY AND THE IFC-PAC DINNER
Make sure you attend 
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