Gabby Franco Warns IFC’s Panel About Incremental Erosion of Freedom

Gabby Franco Warns IFC’s Panel About Incremental Erosion of Freedom

Take a moment and consider what it would have been like to grow up in a warm and beautiful country, only to have it slowly swept into tyranny.  IFC has a guest on this panel that lived it and can offer us some warnings.  Gabby Franco joins an IFC panel with Iowa Representatives Matt Windschitl and Steven Holt, along with Iowa Senators Dan Dawson and Jason Schultz, hosted by IFC Chairman, Michael Ware.   

Gabby shares a story stemming from her youth in Venezuela, as the first female Olympian in her sport, reaching now to her time now in America.  Listen and pay attention to just how similar the incremental tactics were for her as a young lady in Venezuela and consider if you’ve heard those same thoughts and restrictions on freedom and liberty coming to fruition here in America.  Little by little folks…  Our human rights are under attack.  Guard your civil liberties!

IFC was grateful to have this kind of conversation when so many Americans and Iowans simply don’t realize just how important each piece of legislation and policy is.  Even if you only take baby steps towards the end of the diving board, you eventually get wet.   

Here is Gabby’s site:  https://gabbyfranco.com/

https://www.facebook.com/gabbyfrancot…
https://twitter.com/gabbyfrancots4
https://www.instagram.com/gabbyfranco…
https://www.youtube.com/user/mgfusa

Nikki Goeser “Stalked and Defenseless” Joins IFC Panel Discussion on “Gun Free Zones”

Nikki Goeser “Stalked and Defenseless” Joins IFC Panel Discussion on “Gun Free Zones”

Nikki Goeser, author of “Stalked and Defenseless: How Gun Control Helped My Stalker Murder My Husband in Front of Me” speaks with a panel of Legislators and IFC about the tragedy she experienced as her husband, Ben, was gunned down in front of her in a “Gun Free Zone.”

Iowa Representatives Steve Holt and Matt Windschitl, along with Iowa Senator Jason Schultz, join IFC Chairman, Michael Ware, to learn Nikki’s story and consider the truth about “Gun Free Zones” and how they ultimately hurt us all. Nikki is a surviving victim of violent crime. Listen to this dialogue and consider thoroughly what the implications are when we take from people their personal choice to self-defense.

From Nikki’s book: “Today with the last day of my husband’s life. Ben and I have been married for 1 year, 4 months and 2 days. Ben has just 16.5 hours left here on this earth with me. Sixteen and a half hours of time and we have no idea the end is coming … The clock is ticking.”

Lift Nikki and countless others like her up in prayer as they contend with the aftermath of being denied a chance to save human life. This senselessness has to stop.

https://www.amazon.com/Stalked-Defens…

http://stalkedanddefenseless.com/

HF2502 signed by Governor along with the legislative history!

HF2502 signed by Governor along with the legislative history!

Great news! HF2502, the number one legislative priority for both IFC and NRA in this year’s legislative session, was among the thirty-one bills signed on Thursday, June 25 by Governor Reynolds. This important new law will become effective next Wednesday, July 1, 2020.

Since the enactment of HF2502 marks the completion of IFC’s legislative efforts for the 88th General Assembly (2019/2020), this is a good time to look back at the achievements and disappointments that we have experienced during this very unusual year.

First, let’s look back at the first session of the current General Assembly in 2019. IFC’s top priority was the passage of a Joint Resolution to adopt the Freedom Amendment, which will put strong protections for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms into Iowa’s Constitution. We won that battle, though the Resolution must be passed again in the next General Assembly in order to then be put to a vote of the people of Iowa.

IFC’s second priority last year was the Family Defense Act. That bill would have enabled Iowans to lawfully carry their defensive firearms in the parking lots and driveways of public schools, protected them from being fired for safely storing firearms or ammunition in their private vehicles in employer provided parking, strengthened Iowa’s law prohibiting local governments from regulating firearms, and dealt with the overreach of Iowa’s courts in demanding that counties post laughably impotent “No Guns” signs on non-court areas of every courthouse. Unfortunately, due to fear and misunderstanding (largely as a result of the media and Michael “Nanny” Bloomberg’s well-funded minions), the Family Defense Act was not taken up for debate by the House. It was opposed strongly by those controlling the Democrat caucus and no Democrat was willing to vote for the bill. Under the political circumstances, the slim Republican majority (one member of which defected to the Democrat Party late in the session), was unwilling to risk a vote on what would be portrayed as a “Guns at School!” bill. The good news last year was that, for the first time, a bill dealing with these important but sensitive issues passed intact through the committee process in the House. The “school parking lot carry” and “employer parking lots” aspects were taken up separately by the Senate and were also approved by committees and eligible for floor debate. (Since they would obviously not be considered by the House at that point, the Senate did not take those bills up for debate.) IFC celebrated our victories, acknowledged our losses, and continued to strategize with legislative allies in preparation for the next session.

As the 88th General Assembly reconvened in January of this year, no one could have predicted the events that would soon envelop us. Most anticipated a typical election year session, with the majorities defending their record as “progress” and the minority attacking it as “insufficient” at best and “wrong-headed failure” for the most part. It was expected that Iowa’s election results would largely be reflective of the national electorate’s view of the economy during the summer and fall. IFC’s members and allies naturally wondered if Second Amendment issues would continue to be pushed to the back burner, as the majority sought to attract those elusive “middle of the road” voters, who are alleged to be skeptical of us and receptive to so-called “common sense regulation of guns”. So, we started the legislative session with lowered expectations, but resolved that we would remain fully engaged in the fight for each and every one of our priority issues. We would not grant our friends a pass, nor certainly our adversaries.

In the House – our area of greatest concern, due to the narrow split between parties – we were very pleased when our number one priority bill, HF2502, moved fairly rapidly through the committee process. The bill incorporates fully half of the provisions of our 2019 Family Defense Act and with strengthened language. Rep. Steven Holt (R- Crawford) was outstanding in his support of the bill in the Public Safety Committee and later as its floor manager during the House debate. The bill passed the House 52-44 on February 27. House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl delivered the vote of every Republican. Unfortunately, not a single Democrat Representative was willing to cross their leadership and vote for the bill.

HF2502 moved to the Senate, where Sen. Jason Schultz (R-Crawford) guided it quickly through sub-committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee. That Committee’s vote to recommend passage on March 9 meant that the bill was ready for debate by the full Senate. IFC was confident it would be approved and sent to the Governor. Unfortunately, our excitement proved to be premature.

Suddenly, Iowa and the nation were rocked by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislature suspended work and recessed on March 17 for an indefinite period. It was immediately apparent that though the legislature would eventually reconvene briefly to conclude the session, the severity of the shock to Iowa’s economy and to the state’s budget would completely overshadow concerns about various “policy” bills that had been under consideration in March. Were HF2502 and our other remaining bills now dead – or merely on life support?

They say every cloud has a silver lining. As horrible as the pandemic’s disruption of normal life and our expectations has been – disruption that is now being supercharged by significant violence throughout our nation – it has brought clarity to many Americans that may benefit our cause of Liberty. Those of us who have long been in the trenches in support of those rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment understand that we – every individual – are ultimately responsible for providing for the safety and security of self and family. We may find it necessary to be our own “first responders”. A great number of formerly comfortable and complacent Americans have now been forced to the same realization. Reality can bite anyone and it is best to be prepared!

When the lockdowns started in Iowa, local governments curtailed their operations and generally closed their buildings to the public. As a consequence, many Sheriffs announced that they would no longer process applications for weapons permits for the duration of the emergency. This was due to practical considerations and not any basic objection to issuing permits. However, the law expressly requires Sheriffs to receive and process such applications and doesn’t allow them to push a pause button. Immediately upon first learning of such an announcement, IFC launched into action. An appeal was made to our legislative allies and to the Office of the Governor and within days Governor Reynolds had issued orders requiring Sheriffs to continue processing permit applications and allowing for exceptions to the statutory requirement that some applications be presented in person. At the time, probably no one anticipated how important this would prove to be, but gun dealers soon found themselves swamped with first time buyers looking for defensive firearms. Since Iowa requires a Permit to Acquire Pistols and Revolvers for any transfer of a handgun, a halt to the issuance of those permits would have blocked countless Iowans from legally exercising their Second Amendment rights.

At the same time, numerous other states and localities were halting the issuance of permits, forcing the closure of firearms dealers, and even banning the transfer, carrying, or public possession of firearms entirely. (Thanks to the Emergency Powers provisions of the Omnibus Gun Bill championed by IFC in 2017, such emergency actions are prohibited under Iowa law.) People who had never thought they might need a gun – or who even actively disliked them – now found it quite difficult or impossible to obtain one. The innumerable gun laws that they had accepted or actively endorsed turned out to be based on nonsense, rather than common sense. This belated rush to the gun stores has only accelerated in recent weeks amid overheating political rhetoric and the rapid spread of actual violence. Many Americans have had their eyes opened to the real value of the Second Amendment.

When the legislature reconvened on June 3, they did indeed focus on budget matters. But there was also a heightened realization that Second Amendment rights are of great importance to Iowans in the reality of their daily lives, not just as political theory. The Senate quickly took up and passed HF2502 and sent it to the Governor. As expected, she has now signed it and its provisions are effective as of July 1.

The Senate also approved HF716, a bill passed by the House in 2019. That bill on firearms requirements for deer hunting is the culmination of three years of discussion, cooperation, and negotiation, among IFC, NRA, the Natural Resources Commission, the Dept. of Natural Resources, and legislators. More on the bill below…

Finally, on June 1, the Governor signed SF537 into law. This bill was sponsored by Senator Jason Schultz and supported by IFC. It allows for the hunting of coyotes with the use of a weapon mounted infrared light source.

*****

Now that you have the back story, let’s take a look at what will change in Iowa law on July 1.

HF2502 contains the following provisions:

Prohibition of Weapons Regulation by Local Governments

Amends Iowa Code 724.28 to make absolutely clear that only the Iowa Legislature may regulate the ownership, possession, legal transfer, lawful transportation, modification, registration, or licensing of firearms, firearms attachments, or other weapons. (Underlined words are new. The statute previously applied only to firearms.)

In addition:

  • Local governments may not enact an ordinance, motion, resolution, policy, or amendment to such effect. Such measures are void after July 1, 2020. This will include, for instance, library and park “rules of conduct”.
  • A person adversely affected by the ordinance, measure, enactment, rule, resolution, motion, or policy may file suit in the appropriate court for declaratory and injunctive relief for damages and all damages attributable to the violation. A court shall also award the prevailing party in any such lawsuit reasonable attorney fees and court costs. (Underlined language is new.)

Protection of “Courthouse Carry” from Judicial Overreach

Provides that a court order prohibiting the lawful carrying, possession, or transportation of a weapon in a county courthouse or other joint-use public facility shall be unenforceable unless the judicial order applies only to a courtroom or a court office, or to a courthouse used only for judicial branch functions.

Shooting Range Protection

Provides that cities and counties may not apply and enforce arbitrary regulations and restrictions upon those seeking to establish, use, or maintain an existing shooting range or to improve an existing range. Conditions may not be imposed beyond the requirements of standard zoning and of state law.

It should be remembered that it was only last summer that the Des Moines City Council seriously considered criminalizing the possession within the city limits of ammunition magazines with a capacity greater than ten rounds. IFC and Des Moines citizens pushed back hard and the proposal was tabled “for further study”, but the desire for such local regulation remains strong. You can tell how significant our victory on this issue is by the shrieks and gnashing of teeth we are hearing from Bloomberg’s shills at Moms Demand Action and Everytown.

HF716

  • Allows for supervised youth to hunt deer with handguns, eliminating the previous prohibition for those under age sixteen
  • Requires the Natural Resources Commission to use established Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives definitions of firearms when setting rules (In 2017, the NRC outlawed the hunting of deer with AR-style pistols through a tortuous and obscure new rule.)
  • Removes archaic and unnecessary language from the statute and aligns it with NRC rules
  • Clarifies and simplifies the ammunition allowed to be used in handguns (minimum four-inch barrel) in the deer hunt. Ammunition propelling an expanding-type bullet with a maximum diameter of no less than three hundred fifty thousandths of one inch and no larger than five hundred thousandths of one inch and with a published or calculated muzzle energy of five hundred-foot pounds or higher will be legal.

SF537

Allows for the hunting of coyotes with a weapon or scope mounted infrared light source. See the statute for limitations.

*****

You have seen how Iowa’s weapons laws have improved drastically over the last decade, even as they have become increasingly draconian in so many other states. You have seen in recent months how quickly Second Amendment rights can become completely forfeit at the hands of hostile elected officials and bureaucrats in times of political and social unrest – exactly when they are most needed. We – IFC’s members and allies – MUST not become complacent! Imagine what could happen here if we lose our Second Amendment friendly majorities in the Iowa legislature. Or with a Governor beholden to radical anti-gun, anti-liberty forces and moneymen… For one thing, if we lose even a couple of friendly members in the Iowa House, we will NEVER see the Freedom Amendment become part of the Iowa Constitution. We desperately need the Right to Keep and Bear Arms in our state’s highest law – especially as the enemies of liberty work to keep the U. S. Supreme Court from upholding its own Second Amendment rulings in Heller and McDonald.

Please, if you are not already a supporting member of Iowa Firearms Coalition, join with us now. Then spend time, energy, and money in this election season to support pro-Second Amendment, pro-liberty candidates. Our own political action committee, IFC PAC, will be raising and spending funds to help inform you and other like-minded Iowa voters about those worthy of our help and our votes. Don’t sit on the sidelines and hope for the best. We can not afford to lose this one! The future nature of our state and nation is truly at stake.

Name it and Claim it Advocacy – Watch Out…

One of the things you figure out pretty quickly as a combat pilot is the need to know the tracer burn out distance of your enemy’s weapons. It’s important because you can figure out how big a calibre of a weapon is shooting at you by how high an altitude the tracer burns out at. For example, the good old AK47 has a tracer burn out of about 800 meters, but the ZSU-23, shooting a 23mm round burns out at about 2,000 meters.

I’m not sure anyone makes a tracer round for the 22 Short, but if they did, physics tells us it would burn out in about fifty feet. Totally worthless just like the scam group of charlatans that claims to be a no-compromise Iowa (and several other states) gun-rights group. The group that has never actually had a hand in passing any legislation, yet has excelled at lining it’s founders pockets with donors cash, most recently by attacking real champions of our Second Amendment rights like Senators Jack Whitver and Representative Matt Windschilt. Both of those Patriots are once again being besmirched.

Let’s recall what the laws were like in Iowa just ten years ago:

-Sheriffs had absolute discretion to deny or restrict Permits to Carry Weapons for law-abiding Iowans. Prior to 2010, there were typically only about 30,000 Iowans holding PCWs. Iowa honored no other states permits and few honored ours.

-It was a crime to allow even your own child or grandchild to touch – much less fire – a handgun. If you did it twice, it was a FELONY.

-Permit applications were open public records, subject to publication by any “news” media.

-Firearm sound suppressors, short barreled rifles and shotguns were illegal in Iowa, though permitted under federal law.

-Even if an Iowan held a Permit to Carry (valid in an automobile, on a motorcycle, tractor, bicycle, etc.), it was a crime to carry a defensive handgun on an ATV, UTV, or snowmobile.

Etc. etc., etc…

Then compare that list to today’s laws, Iowa now has ten times the number of permit holders, we can teach our children how to shoot handguns, Iowa Offensive Firearms statues have been mostly brought into alignment with Federal Law, and we can now carry a loaded weapon in any vehicle.

Not to mention that today, you can stand your ground if you are somewhere lawfully and are feloniously attacked, as opposed to being legally required to retreat!

Does anyone really think those laws happened in a vacuum and while that Windschitl, Whitver, et al were working AGAINST Second Amendment causes?

Did you know that those carping purists, better known as fundraising scammers, that continue to attack Second Amendment heroes, actually opposed many of the bills that made these remarkable changes to the law? Yet that doesn’t stop them from claiming credit for the work of IFC!

We still look forward to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signing HF 2502. AND the only way the freedom amendment to the Iowa Constitution has a shot at becoming a reality is to maintain our Second Amendment friendly majorities in the November election.

Stand up with all of us here at IFC, let’s ensure we support our friends and vote out the enemies of freedom this fall.

Shoot Straight, speak the truth, and never surrender our liberties.

Dave Funk, President, IFC

HF716 Passes Legislature – on to the Governor!

HF716 Passes Legislature – on to the Governor!

HF716, an act dealing with firearms requirements for deer hunting. This is largely a technical bill, meant to 1.) allow for supervised youth handgun hunting in alignment with 2017 legislation on supervised youth handgun shooting, and 2.) streamline and clarify the definition of allowable ammunition to be used in the deer hunt. It also requires the Natural Resources Council to use established federal definitions of firearms when writing NRC rules.

This has been an extremely time-consuming project of IFC and NRA for more than three years. We have consulted and negotiated with NRC, DNR, numerous legislators, and other interest groups in attempting to correct some flaws in current statutes and rules.

Special thanks to Representative Holt and Representative Windschitl from the Iowa House, and Senator Cournoyer and Senator Whitver from the Iowa Senate. We appreciate your hard work and perseverance.

Scare Tactics vs. Truth

Friends of IFC,

Scare Tactics vs. Truth

Hurricane Katrina opened our eyes to a flaw in government.  Power can be, and all too often is, abused…  As a result, IFC and NRA discussed at length what an “Emergency Powers” bill ought to include in an effort to preempt the kinds of abuses of civil liberty we saw in Louisiana.  We put those thoughts into motion and it took years to accomplish.

The language prohibiting the violation of fundamental Second Amendment rights under the government’s Emergency Powers was included in the historic passage of HF517 in 2017.  This epic legislation was floor managed in the House by Representative Matt Windschitl and by Senator Dan Dawson in the Senate.  These changes to the law became effective on July 1, 2017.  Iowans now enjoy protections during times like these that too few states offer.

You’ve all witnessed politicians saying silly things.  Have you seen a passionate address for the Second Amendment?  We witnessed a fantastic display of this during the debate of HF517 direct from the floor.  You may have forgotten THIS VIDEO.  Watch it again.  The Iowa Firearms Coalition and NRA were thinking ahead, working on behalf of our membership, and had the support of a trifecta of 2A friendly legislators in both chambers and the Governor.

When New York-based con artists are fear mongering about a supposed pending government ban on firearms and ammunition sales, use, and permitting, we’re out in front leading as usual.  In fact, if you’d like to see who registered to support the bill that offers you vital protections now, read down through THIS LIST of declarations.  Did you notice any missing groups?

If you’d like to read what we placed into law in regard to Emergency Powers, check out 29C.25 of Iowa Code.  I had no idea there would come a time so soon after passage where this would protect me and my family.  I’m grateful Representative Matt Windschitl and Senator Dan Dawson enthusiastically stood up to run those bills and to proactively defend our rights.  Thank you, gentlemen!

A Few Items of Clarity

There have been a couple of Sheriff’s Offices that experienced miscommunication in the permitting process given current mandates to decrease physical contact.  Those mistakes were communicated and we thank those counties for swift correction.  The Legislature met with the Governor’s Office to get ahead of future problems.  It appears the lawmakers helped provide some financial flexibility so our Executive Branch could help sidestep whatever landmines will pop up in the near future.  Unlike what is happening in some other state, no suspension of Second Amendment protections came from that collaboration on Monday and Tuesday of this week.  If your county makes a declaration on suspending permitting or carry, just ask them to read 29C.25 linked above and suggest the option of mailing in your permit application.

When the Session Resumes

We’ve been in routine contact with Legislative Leadership and it sounds as if the session will resume in the future to finish business.  I suspect an accelerated session with a focus on budget and policy combined.  If this suspicion is correct, be ready for long hours at the statehouse, as they’ll want to conclude work and return home in short order.  If I were a legislator, I too would want to avoid shenanigans and put in extra hours each day to bring things to a close.

Parting Thoughts

Understand and adhere to best practices when it comes to this antigen.  Find best practices from the Center for Disease Control here.

-Coronavirus is spread person to person primarily through coughing on one another, secondarily through infected surfaces
-Keep your distance and avoid risk, cough into your elbow, wear a mask if you have a cough
-Clean and wash hands often, use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol or higher, avoid touching your face

As always, use good sense in all situations.  As people who understand the intent of the Second Amendment, we know better than anyone the sanctity of human life.  We seek to defend it daily.  I’ve heard this virus described as scary by some and an inconvenience by others.  But the truth is if we all buckle down and compartmentalize for a short while this will be over and we’ll have saved some lives that might have otherwise have been lost.  I take solace in that thought.  In the meantime, I’m with my family enjoying board games, lots of books, and the kinds of wholesome fun you have when you’re stuck inside on a rainy day.  I trust this finds you all well.

In liberty,

Michael Ware – IFC Chairman

2-28-2020 Update from the Capitol

2-28-2020 Update from the Capitol

Friends of IFC – HF2502 passes the House 52-44!

 

Rep Windschitl’s FB post just before HF2502 debate!

I noticed the HF2502 vote yesterday was 52-44 on party lines.  I found that equally troubling and disappointing.  Apparently the House Democrats weren’t interested in your civil liberties yesterday.  I’ll admit to you, it can be hard to work with folks who think of you as a law breaker waiting to happen.  It always bothers me that the default position is often, “I can’t trust you, so I’m taking steps,” quickly followed by, “There needs to be compromise as we blend safety with gun rights.”  Sorry people.  There is no such thing as ‘gun rights’ in this world.  There are basic human rights – civil rights if you will.  They are not to be marginalized or compromised upon.  I don’t know why more Democrats don’t support their constituent’s desire to have the personal choice of self defense left to them.  We used to see quite a few bills with overwhelming bipartisan support.  Shall Issue was passed just 10 years ago with a Democrat majority House and Senate and signed into law by a Democrat Governor!  I hope the mindset changes within those who have come to think so little of our liberties.  I really do.  We only back those candidates for office that will protect and embrace the Second Amendment.

Our current Preemption code can be found in 724.28.  Iowans continue to be bamboozled by local authorities banning self protection under the guise of silly stickers and “Gun Free Zones” as it were.  I wish those magical stickers actually did what the people slathering them all over courthouses, city halls, parks, and public property said they did.  If magical stickers actually accomplished a task, I know a lot of Dads who would instantly place a “No Boys” sticker on their daughters, me included.  …But, the hard core truth is, they’re a false sense of security and wildly irresponsible.  Besides, your lives are every bit as valuable when buying your annual ATV tag at the courthouse as they are when you’re home with your family.  Anyone who says otherwise has a flawed view of the sanctity of human life.

The vital range protection portion of this bill is pretty straight forward.  However, there are some questions about the Preemption portion of this legislation.  Below is a summary our Chief Lobbyist and Board Member, Richard Rogers, prepared for us to help explain the bill’s contents.  Keep in mind Preemption is in essence, getting ahead of a potential problem by definition.  In this case Preemption disallows a political subdivision (counties, cities, townships) from placing a more restrictive law onto Iowans than exists on the State of Iowa level.

Here is the summation Richard composed:

Iowa has long preempted the regulation of firearms to the state. Iowa Code 724.28 has been in effect since April 5, 1990.

The new “shall issue” system for issuing Permits to Carry Weapons became effective on January 1, 2011. 7242.7(1) states that those permits “…shall be valid throughout the state except where the possession or carrying of a firearm is prohibited by state or federal law.

In 2017, the General Assembly amended 724.28 to strengthen the prohibition on local regulation of firearms and to ensure that any Iowans who might be adversely affected by local regulations or policies erected in violation of 724.28 would be able to sue for declaratory and injunctive relief for damages.

Whether taken alone or in combination, these statutes clearly show the intent of the General Assembly to reserve to itself the exclusive authority to limit the issuance and scope of permits to carry weapons.

Nevertheless, some local governments in Iowa persist in attempting to regulate the otherwise lawful carrying of firearms in direct violation of 724.28. Some examples:

  • Approximately two years ago, the City of Urbandale considered banning firearms in all City owned buildings that were within 1,000’ of a school. After much discussion and education behind the scenes, they were eventually dissuaded from the attempt.
  • The West Des Moines Library has adopted a Library Code of Conduct with nearly thirty rules, one of which bans firearms from the property. The City of West Des Moines has adopted that Code of Conduct as a City Ordinance. Violations of the ordinance are punishable by thirty days in jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine. As it pertains to firearms, this ordinance is VOID under 724.28, but there it is – on the books.
  • Last summer, the City of Des Moines considered banning ammunition magazines with a capacity greater than ten rounds. The proponents claimed to believe that magazines are not integral parts of a firearm, but rather are accessories and somehow not included in the protections provided by 724.28. Legislators and citizens alike worked to convince them otherwise and the proposal was dropped.However, had Des Moines tried to regulate firearm suppressors, optical or laser sights, or other firearm accessories, they might have found a legal avenue to do so. Thus, the necessity of this measure to further reform and strengthen 724.28.

Preemption Reform

  • Iowa issues Permits to Carry Weapons, not “Firearms”. This revision to Iowa Code 724.28 recognizes that and prevents the erection of an unworkable patchwork of local restrictions on any weapons or accessories. This maintains a logical and understandable statewide standard.
 

This bill (HF2502, formerly HSB615) allows political subdivisions of the state that have a demonstrable need for security screening at certain venues to be exempted from the preemption provisions of Code 724.28 at certain times and places, IF they provide actual security screening and armed security personnel.  Simply posting “No Guns” signs is actually counterproductive and is insufficient to meet this test.

Here is my summation:

Richard is a talented and skilled orator.  He can research and scour through code like few I’ve ever witnessed.  His summation above should help anyone grasp what history surrounds Preemption Reform and the nuances of this bill.  Let me put this in my words.

Firearms Preemption should be guarded like a crown jewel.  Some states don’t even have preemption.  Does anyone remember how awful it was when your permit was issued at the discretion of each of the 99 Iowa County Sheriffs?  Each county had a different policy, and often those policies changed based on the outcome of an election.  Your rights would come and go like the passing of seasons.  Here’s a map in case you have forgotten.

Adhering to 99 different county variations of a ban, and then adding the possibility of nearly 950 city variations of gun free zones would make us all law breakers.  I’m not sure how anyone could choose self defense options and remain legal.  You’d be banned as you traveled the town, county, or state at any given moment without your knowledge potentially.  Thank your lucky stars, some good legislators, and IFC along with NRA-ILA for Preemption.  Trust me when I write to you, you don’t want to live in a state without it.

SPECIAL THANKS

We had a tremendous 2A Lobby Day at the Iowa Capitol yesterday.  After we hit 300 people it was hard to keep track of the rest that came and went.  We’re guessing a solid number to fall between 300 and 350 people by our head count.  To quantify that for you, when Chapter 20 debates were at their peak a few years prior, far fewer turned out.  I’m very proud of my fellow Iowans to say the least.  Representative Steve Holt has tucked this legislation under his arm like the proverbial pig skin, and has shucked and strong armed his way to the goal line for Iowans.  He has earned accolades from us all for his work to protect liberty and freedom.

2A supporters came by the hundreds!

I volunteer among great minds and a considerable depth of character with my fellow board members.  IFC’s executive committee is arguably the best we’ve seen.  Our dedicated and persevering volunteer staff put in the work on a daily basis.  Our altruistic team gives up personal time to volunteer at gun shows, work on IT issues, market our ideas, spread our information, manage the membership, return a dizzying number of calls and emails, communicate the current events, and tirelessly liaise with all forms of government officials and elected offices to do the work necessary to ensure your civil liberties.

I’m not sure my “thanks” is suitable.  Between the IFC volunteers, our membership, and the folks who support us, there has to be another word I can use to express my admiration and gratitude.  When I find it, I’ll use it.  Until then, THANK YOU, for your collective and individual works!

We have several bills that moving along, but nothing has landed on the Governor’s desk yet.  Let’s get these pieces codified and move forward.  In case you couldn’t join us yesterday, here is a bit of what you missed:

In liberty,

 

Michael Ware – IFC Chairman

The Enemy has an Outpost in Your Head. Deny Him…

Iowa House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl speaks to Jeff Angelo about 2nd Amendment Virtues.

Jeff Angelo interview with Majority Leader Windschitl

He also corrects a false premise of which we all should be cognizant.  IFC doesn’t fight for “gun rights” but rather “civil rights” – and we do that all day long.  Pay close attention to what happens nearing the 5 minute mark.

You and I should never allow the enemy to have an outpost in our heads.  …And using the prog’s narrative is simply that.

The progs have labeled things as “gun rights” and the little black silhouette of a G22 with complete and total negative connotation.  We have to stop using their vocabulary.  We don’t care about the rights of wood, plastic, and metal for the purposes of our conversation.  Rather, we care about the rights of PEOPLE.  Human beings, Americans, Iowans, and so on, are our continual focus.

Every time you see people talking about gun rights, quickly and easily correct them.  They need to know this is personal.  None of us should be denied rights by man, that are granted us by birth, and protected in law.

IFC doesn’t fight for gun rights.  We fight for human rights.  Basic civil rights.

Never forget that.

HF716 Advanced in Iowa House

HF716 Advanced in Iowa House

The debate over HF716 (Deer Hunting Improvement) boiled down to whether or not Iowans can be trusted to take their kids’ hunting and who trusts the people of Iowa.

“I don’t have that same degree of trust of all the parents in Iowa,” said Rep. Staed. “Read the paper. All parents that are 21 years old are not responsible.”

Rep. Staed hasn’t met a gun restriction that he doesn’t like, but we were pretty proud of the response delivered here by Rep. Matt Windschitl.

 

The measure passed 57-40 in the Iowa House and is ready for the Senate.

SJR18 RKBA Amendment Passes Iowa House & Senate

“The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The sovereign state of Iowa affirms and recognizes this right to be a fundamental individual right. Any and all restrictions of this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny”

What an amazing Second Amendment Day! Thanks to those who came out and watched the RKBA Constitutional amendment pass in BOTH chambers today!

The amendment passed on a party-line vote with the exception of State Senator Rich Taylor (D) who joined with us to support the right of Iowans to keep and bear arms.

Thanks to those legislators who delivered strong remarks in support of the freedom of Iowans today. Thanks to Senator Brad Zaun and Rep. Matt Windschitl for managing these bills and to Sen. Taylor for putting principle over party.

One thing was made abundantly and painfully clear today. The people who voted against this amendment are terrified because they view the Freedom Amendment as a barrier to the ridiculous gun control measures that they desperately want to pass.

Highlights from the debate can be seen below!