by Dave Funk | Feb 7, 2025
TWO MAJOR WINS FOR 2A!
Two major wins for 2A occurred this past week! One is the affirmation that 18 to 20-year-olds can purchase and possess handguns. The second is a reluctant decision regarding the Hughes Amendment — that machine guns cannot be restricted to pre-1986 production.
18 TO 20-YEAR-OLDS ARE A PART OF “THE PEOPLE”
A Fifth Federal Circuit Panel of Judges has ruled that 18 to 20-year-olds are indeed part of “The People” as defined in the Second Amendment, and that there is no historical evidence to allow blanket prohibitions to purchase or possess handguns. From Ammoland:
“This week the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals held that 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(b)(1) and (c)(1)—which together forbid Federal Firearms Licensees from selling handguns to 18-to-20-year-olds—violate the Second Amendment.
Applying the text-and-history test for Second Amendment cases set forth in NYSRPA v. Bruen, the Fifth Circuit began its analysis by considering whether the regulated conduct is covered by the Second Amendment’s plain text. First, the court concluded that “the right to ‘keep and bear arms’ surely implies the right to purchase them.” Next, the court determined that 18-to-20-year-olds are among “the people” protected by the Amendment because “There are no age or maturity restrictions in the plain text of the Amendment” and because 18-to-20-year-olds were traditionally required to provide their own arms for service in the militia and posse comitatus.
Since the plain text covers the purchase of handguns by 18-to-20-year-olds, the court next considered whether the federal prohibition is consistent with America’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.
The court concluded that it is not. During the founding era, as noted above, 18-to-20-year-olds were required to acquire and possess firearms.”
FEDERAL JUDGE RULES ON MACHINE GUNS
IFC Past Chairman Michael Ware published an IFC Blog earlier this week:
“Be aware that a federal district judge in Mississippi has just ruled, albeit grudgingly, that the federal law [18 U.S.C. § 922(o)] prohibiting possession or transfer of a machine gun that was not lawfully possessed before May 19, 1986, is an unconstitutional violation of the Second Amendment rights of the appellant and has dismissed the criminal charges against him. As this was a criminal case, the decision is “as applied” only to that individual. This leaves open the possibility that the law might withstand constitutional scrutiny with a different set of facts. It would take a successful “facial” challenge to invalidate the law broadly.
This is at least the second federal district judge to rule this way since the Supreme Court upended Second Amendment jurisprudence in its Bruen decision in June 2022. As noted in this judge’s opinion (attached), Bruen has rendered “obsolete” or “abrogated” previous court precedents upholding the law in such cases.”
The blog notes that:
“The judge expresses skepticism about the historical analysis method mandated by Bruen, highlighting the confusion it has caused in lower courts and the potential for judicial overreach in historical interpretation.”
I want to address the Federal Judge’s reluctance to write this decision. I disagree, and point out that SCOTUS made it very easy. First, is there any historical basis for the restriction? And second, if there is not, then the case must be resolved in the citizen’s favor. End of discussion. Cases like these are how we build the foundation of eliminating the Gun Control Act of 1968 and the National Firearms Act of 1934, one block at a time.
IFC has worked for years to eliminate the offensive weapons section of Iowa Code. Hopefully, this recent case is helpful to that effort.
IFC TRUSTED PARTNER OF THE WEEK: HATPOINT TARGET
HatPoint Target is a successful, early-stage company that manufactures a lightweight polymer target stand, in the U.S.A. The stand is very tough and useful across many different shooting disciplines.
Recreational target practice, hunting enthusiasts, law enforcement, military, gun ranges, and competition courses, find this target stand to be a useful product and include this as part of their shooting gear, setup and experience.
IFC Members can use discount code IFC10% at checkout!
IFC’s annual 2A Day – Shuttle from parking area
2A LOBBY DAY AND THE IFC-PAC DINNER
2A Lobby 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 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 | Jan 31, 2025
SHOCK AND AWE MEETS DEI
Shock and awe beat DEI every time, as proven by the first ten days of the second President Trump Administration. The new administration has flooded the zone so rapidly with:
- over 200 Executive Orders
- over 1500 J6 political prisoner pardons
- and hundreds of other actions
that the anti-freedom and anti-gun forces of the left are not able to mount any effective resistance as of yet.
DEI DIES, BUT THE ATF TRIES TO HIDE IT
None of us should be surprised that the ATF tried to hide the title of the Chief Diversity Officer by renaming the title of the person holding it to Senior Executive. Fortunately, the internet is forever. (And fortunately for me, I did most, but not all, of my stupid stuff before the internet!) The New Your Post cited this very example:
“ATF employee Lisa T. Boykin was listed on the agency’s website Thursday as a “Senior Executive,” whereas her job title on Monday appeared as “Chief Diversity Officer.”
Boykin is also referred to as ATF’s “Chief Diversity Officer” in her biography for the June 2023 webinar titled, “Emphasizing Diversity and Inclusion in Workforce Modernization”.”
Add to that the sudden turnabout by the Biden ATF reversing its “zero tolerance” policy on clerical errors that it used to put Federal Firearms Licensees out of business, possibly hundreds of small gun shops around the country, including many in Iowa. NRAHQ has a great article on the subject and IFC Past Chairman Michael Ware interviewed Michael Cargill, the plaintiff in the suit that forced the change in policy as the Biden Administration was headed out the door.
Hopefully, we will see the ATF lose its law enforcement powers as the first step in reining in this politically problematic agency.
J6 POLITICAL PARDONS AND WHY THEY ARE IMPORTANT
As I delve into this subject, I’ll point out that I’m still an active Reserve Police Officer here in the State of Iowa, on permanent lite duty after suffering a serious injury fighting a suspect in 2021. Interestingly enough, that suspect only served twenty-five days when a careful reading of the Iowa Code required a three to five-year minimum sentence for assaulting a police officer resulting in serious injury. Many of my fellow law enforcement officers are disappointed in these pardons, yet almost none of them know the full story behind these prosecutions.
There are several great articles on this subject here, here, and here. If you search, you will find hundreds of other articles about how those political prisoners were wrongly prosecuted, held without trial under inhumane conditions, and other violations of their Constitutional Rights.
The disparate treatment of the J6’ers compared to thousands of BLM and ANTIFA rioters in 2020 who went unpunished – those that actually burned down cities, and injured, and killed police officers and civilians in their wake. I think this tweet on X says it all:
You probably remember Virginia Senator Tim Kaine. He was Hillary Clinton’s running mate in 2016. If you’re a leftist, the double standard is clear; you can burn down America, but if you are a conservative, you cannot. Need I say more?
IFC’S TRUSTED PARTNER OF THE WEEK: EASTER ROADSIDE CREATIONS
Eastern Roadside Creations is a custom knife-making business and family-owned and operated blacksmithing shop.
Carlin and Ashli “Ash” Al-Andas have taken the bladesmithing craft to the next level. ERC is offering 10% off for IFC Members!
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 and 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 | Jan 24, 2025
TRUCKS AND END LOADERS — WHAT NEXT?
Trucks and end loaders were the weapons used in recent terrorist and criminal attacks. What’s next, you might ask? Let’s talk about that in this week’s 2A Wrap-Up.
FRONT-END LOADER ATTACK
In the middle of the night in Garland, Maine, a criminal attacked a home, and several vehicles, with a stolen front-end loader — this story comes from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Facebook Post:
“Gunshots were fired during an incident involving a stolen front-end loader in Garland.
On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at approximately 5:30 a.m., the Penobscot Regional Communications Center received a report of individuals who appeared to be stealing a large front-end loader from a gravel pit near their residence. The incident was reported to be occurring on Upper Notch Road in Garland.
Shortly after receiving the initial call, the complainant reported that the front-end loader was now in their driveway, attempting to run through their house. The complainant also mentioned that the machine was destroying vehicles in the driveway.
The initial investigation suggests that individuals exited the home and fired several rounds at the front-end loader. The machine then reversed out of the driveway and fled the scene. It crossed a large field and went down a woods road.
At approximately 6:10 a.m. PRCC received another report that a large front-end loader was driving on the roadway, it was eventually located by law enforcement on Center Road in Charleston. The lone occupant surrendered to law enforcement without incident and told them, he had been shot. Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the man to a local hospital. Upon his release, he was arrested and transported to the Penobscot County Jail.
The operator of the front-end loader was identified as Michael Thompson (37) of Corinna. This investigation remains active and additional charges may be pending.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Maine State Police.”
This appears to mimic an attack five months earlier 30 miles outside of Honolulu, Hawaii. (Let’s not forget the ISIS-inspired truck/shooter attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.)
In every one of these attacks, a good guy with a gun stopped the attacks. Despite what you might hear on National Public Radio, good guys with guns DO stop bad guys with guns, regardless of what they use to start the attack. Special thanks to AmmoLand.com for the tip on this story. Please stay alert, you never know when you may have to defend yourself and others.
IFC TRUSTED PARTNER OF THE WEEK IS BROWNELLS
For the last 75 years, Brownells has been the go-to source for all things firearm-related. Visit their website and use your IFC member discount IFC10 at checkout for $10 off, on orders $150 or more.
2A LOBBY DAY AND THE IFC-PAC DINNER
2A Lobby Day on February 18th at the State Capitol is fast approaching. The event at the Capitol is free. However, you should buy your buy your tickets now for the IFC-PAC BBQ Dinner that evening, with Iowa Hero, Major Jeff Struecker of Black Hawk Down Fame.
This week’s 2A Wrap-Up reminds us to be Ready at All Times. 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 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
The event at the Capitol is free. However, you should buy your 
As reported at 
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