IFC to hold “Second Amendment Day” at the Iowa State Capitol
WHO: The Iowa Firearms Coalition WHAT: Second Amendment Day WHEN: January 18, 2024 – from 9AM to 12PM WHERE: Iowa State Capitol Building WHY: To increase school safety and lobby Iowa’s elected officials to pass common-sense pro-Second Amendment legislation
“In the wake of the tragedy at Perry High School, we believe this Second Amendment Day will be the most important and impactful one we have held in Iowa history,” said IFC President Dave Funk. “The time has come for common sense, fact-based legislation that will once and for all keep our children safe at school – our kids cannot afford to wait any longer.”
Among IFC’s goals during this legislative session is to ban phony and dangerous “gun-free zone” signs.
“A sign is not a security plan,” said Funk. “As we have, sadly, seen too many times, ‘gun-free zones’ have proven to be an invitation to those intent on committing evil. The only way to stop a threat is to harden soft targets. It’s past time our kids are as protected at school as our politicians and bureaucrats are in government-run facilities.”
At the event, IFC will be calling on lawmakers to work with school districts in the state to increase their security and allow for trained staff to exercise their constitutional rights on school grounds.
IFC will also push for an end to Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) policies, that are currently legal in Iowa, which are preventing schools from taking the necessary and scientifically proven steps needed to protect students and staff during a crisis. ESG rules have been abused by insurance providers to bully Iowa school boards into not implementing their policies to increase school security, most recently in Cherokee and Spirit Lake.
The event will feature prominent pro-Second Amendment speakers, including lawmakers, IFC leadership, and Gabby Franco, a civil rights advocate, Olympian, and former contestant on the hit History Channel TV series, “Top Shot.”
The Iowa Firearms Coalition, Iowa’s official NRA State Association, is a 501(c4) nonprofit and is Iowa’s only effective pro-Second Amendment rights organization.
2A Day with Gabby Franco? Who is Gabby Franco and why is she addressing us all during IFC’s 2A Day on January 18th – from 9am to Noon! She’s also giving an intimate talk at the IFC-PAC Prime Rib supper that evening. Learn about how this Venezuelan competed in the Olympics as a young shooter, immigrated to the USA, and has become a competitor, instructor, and 2A advocate!
WHAT: IFC’s Annual 2A Day FEATURED SPEAKER: Gabby Franco WHERE: The Iowa Capitol WHY: To learn engagement on 2A Issues, learn to meet and influence your Representatives and Senators, share ideas and camaraderie with like-minded civil rights enthusiasts, and support the organizations, businesses, and elected officials that make this all possible.
Gabby Franco is an avid fighter for freedom and our constitutional rights. She experienced firsthand the dangers of socialism and gun control, which turned her homeland, Venezuela, into one of the most dangerous countries in the world. She shares her story worldwide to help others avoid the pitfalls of socialism and gun control. Gabby is the first female shooter to represent Venezuela in the Olympics. She has over 30 years of experience in Olympic, tactical, and practical shooting, knowledge she uses as a firearms instructor nationwide. Gabby published her first shooting manual TroubleShootnig: Mastering your pistol marksmanship, in 2013. She participated in two seasons of the History Channel’s TV competition TOP SHOT and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s in Psychology in May 2023.
IFC will be running a shuttle van from parking lot 16 shown on the map —> throughout the day. 9am to Noon. The van will pick up and drop off in parking lot 16 and the front (west) entrance of the Capitol building. We’ll be using a passenger van with IFC logos on the doors. Flag us down and we’ll give you a lift!
Here is a 2A Day visual reflection for you, in case you missed it:
IFC was joined by many contributors and certainly our key sponsors, RMA Armament, Volquartsen, and CrossRoads, (All “trusted partners” of IFC) for a fantastic day of 2A advocacy and sharing. Representative Eddie Andrews offered us an invocation prayer, a pair of youth advocates led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Representative Brook Boden tuned up the Capitol building rotunda with a soul-warming National Anthem!
What a day! Representative Phil Thompson, Senator Brad Zaun, and Senator Jason Schultz all gave us hope and direction on IFC-sponsored and monitored bills.
NRA and NRA-ILA came out in force, as always, to work side by side with us, and again this year the NSSF was in the Capitol to stop government overreach and stem the advance of ESG madness.
We enjoyed families bringing their homeschooled kids in to experience the day, Iowans of all ages submitting cards to visit with their elected officials, and we even had a quick address from our new Attorney General, Brenna Bird.
IFC Chair, John McLaughlin, and President, Dave Funk were busy all day with interviews and glad handing. Lobbyist and board member Richard Rogers was lifting heavy bills into position with legislators. Vice President, Nathan Gibson, was emceeing the entire event and got the crowd rolling! Gun Show Director, Billy Wilson, and our entire volunteer crew came out in force to make the day a huge success. This takes hours of planning and a lot of work the day of… The Iowa Firearms Coalition is fortunate to have key people organizing and executing these events, and while they’re not all mentioned by name, some near and some far, you know who you are! 😉
Our featured guest speaker this year was Kris “Tanto” Paronto, whom you may remember from the book “13 Hours” and the movie, “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” – Tanto is an example we can all reflect upon. Life gives you lemons and it is up to us to make lemonade. Tanto’s life story is proof lemonade can not only be made but offer the sweetest flavor imaginable.
As Tanto spoke with our crowd in the Capitol Rotunda, people learned of his journey, and even more so when he shared much more deeply at our IFC-PAC fundraiser last evening. Thank you to all the volunteers, members, partners, and colleagues that came together to make a great day. And thank you to the legislators and governing body that consider rightly the freedom-loving nature of Iowans and work so hard to protect our liberties.
IFC’s Annual 2A Day – Do you need a lift from the parking area to the Front Doors (West Entrance) of the Iowa Capitol on February 22nd? We’ve got you covered! Don’t let the weather keep you home. Choose parking lot 16 – you’ll know you’re in the right place as you’ll see this truck and these flags flowing in the wind! We’ll shuttle you from parking lot 16 to the Capitol Entrance and back from 10am to 4PM in a big white passenger van marked with IFC logos!
Wave us down and we’ll get you there and back!
What will you experience when you attend? You’ll be given guidance on how to find and encourage your House Rep and Senator to support vital 2A Legislation. You’ll also listen to fantastic speakers including Kris “Tanto” Paronto!
Join your fellow patriots and NRA-ILA at the Annual Second Amendment Lobby Day at the Capitol hosted by Iowa Firearms Coalition (IFC)! Come out for an important day in support of the Second Amendment. You’ll have the chance to learn more about the upcoming legislative session, meet with your legislators, as well as pick up important information and gear from NRA and IFC so you are best prepared to defend the Second Amendment in Iowa this year. Be sure to check out more details with IFC at IOWA FIREARMS COALITION
WHEN: February 22, 2023 at 10:00am – 4pm
WHERE: Iowa State Capitol
1007 E Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50319
United States Google map and directions
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