Rate x Time = Distance. It’s a simple equation that most of us learned in elementary school. Drive your car at sixty miles per hour, for one hour, and you will travel sixty miles. Those of us who are pilots or sailors use the exact same equation, whether at six miles per hour or 600 miles per hour.
What surprises me is that those anti-gun dangerous quacks ignore basic math and common sense and demand that kids be in total “gun-free” zones at school. Those same gun-free zones where 94% of mass shootings occur.
In the recent Perry, Iowa school shooting it took the police seven minutes to respond. Faster police response or better training is not making any difference.
As always after any school shooting, many are demanding “We do something”. The loudest are those dangerous quacks, as always demanding mass civilian disarmament. Regular readers of my weekly President’s Message know those quacks don’t care about the kids, they only want a total monopoly on power.
Yet we know what works. Every time an active shooter is confronted by someone else with a gun, they do one of three things: They run away, they get shot and are stopped, or kill themselves.
Time and Math
Time and Math. Six minutes that could save hundreds of future lives in our schools. If you are a parent, school board member, teacher, administrator, coach, cook, bus driver, or fan in the stands, please watch this short video and consider.
The shelter-in-place and “call 9-1-1” model that we have employed for over forty years in America is not working. It’s time to do what does work: an immediate armed response stopping the attacker in their tracks.
Please pass this video on to your friends, neighbors, School Board members, local elected officials, Iowa State Representatives, Iowa State Senators, and our Governor.
Let’s get rid of these dangerous and ineffective gun-free zones in Iowa.
The life you save may be someone you know and love.
Help us defend all of Iowa’s rights by joining or renewing your IFC membership here today. And please stay Ready at All Times.
Shoot Straight, Speak The Truth, and Never Surrender Our Liberties.
The Midwest Arms Ottumwa Gun Show will be held next on Feb 9th-11th, 2024 with additional shows on Nov 22nd-24th, 2024, in Ottumwa, IA. This Ottumwa gun show is held at Bridge View Center and hosted by MAC Shows LLC. All federal and local firearm laws and ordinances must be obeyed.
Remembering Herb Lanford… Many of you may not have known Herb. In truth, I didn’t know Herb before working with him on the NRA’s Clubs and Associations Committee. In fact, I wasn’t familiar with the majority of the NRA board members at that time years ago. I was, however, humbled and excited to be selected as a committee member of what I believed and still do believe is one of the most crucial committees NRA has – Clubs and Associations. That excitement carried through to the first meeting I attended.
Herb wasn’t a man of large stature. I think I might have been a full foot taller than him. Picture a small thin man, with a distinct southeastern accent, and a shiny pair of cowboy boots… You’ve got that picture now, don’t you? Herb was continually well-spoken, a skilled orator, and based on his vocabulary, seemed to know most of the Merriam-Webster dictionary. He was polite to a fault and had a way of addressing everyone that invited them into his invisible sphere. Herb was a welcoming man, and I don’t ever recall anyone thinking otherwise.
I assumed I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the committee. Instead, I found a different atmosphere. Herb ran a structured meeting. He offered meticulous practice of Robert’s Rules of Order and led with precise action. There was no melee of verbal judo. At first, I was put off by our speed and the exact nature of the work. This caused a strained relationship with Herb. We were very cordial, but I could tell he wasn’t enthusiastic about the “new guy” and his go, go, go, approach to everything. I often have that impression on people, and I’ve come to realize, I too, can be an acquired taste.
After some time and reflection, I decided to watch more and run my yap less. …Which is what I should have done in the beginning. To Herb’s credit, he could have easily made arrangements to have me removed. After all, Herb was the chair of that committee and had been for many years. But, he didn’t. Over time and discussion with Herb, both in group and private arenas, I came to appreciate Herb. He was continually decent and kind. He didn’t allow things to spiral out of control, did a good job of herding all of the kittens, and ultimately was passionate about the protection of the Second Amendment. Much like this country’s founders, Herb chose to measure twice and cut once. He never wanted to shortcut anything – it was too important. Herb Lanford would strive to make sure we were making the best possible decisions possible.
I remember one time we had a problem with a state association in the Midwest. There was a communication barrier and we’d had all kinds of trouble getting to the bottom of some simple things. What did Herb do? On his own time and dime, he flew from his home in SC to the Midwest, rented a car, and drove to the person’s home in charge. They sat down, had a great conversation, and all was well moving forward. I remember thinking at the time how few people would do that. Most would hand over that problem to somebody else, rely on the same things that weren’t working, and tell themselves that they tried. Not Herb. It was important, had gone on long enough, he knew it, and he handled it with poise and purpose. I have grown a tremendous respect for Herb. While we may not have always agreed on the nature of change and how to best achieve it, I always felt secure with his motivation.
I’m still serving on the Clubs and Associations Committee and I love it. Our committee helps many people in many ways and I’m proud to be a small part of something so very important. My view of the committee and its purpose have morphed over time, and I have Herb to thank for that in no small part. Frankly, I grew up a little bit over this period with these fellow committee members, and have learned more than I can relate under Herb’s guidance.
Join me in thanking Herb, one last time, for his continual work. I hope to catch up to him on the other side.
The IFC Educator Academy results are in. 13 Iowa educators participated in 36 hours of firearms and active shooter training. 10 of the 13 were able to complete standards of 90% or higher on a qualification where no shots were allowed outside the target’s outline. IFC Chair John McLaughlin discusses this at length with Ed Monk, active shooter planning and response expert, and Adam Winch, owner and creator of Defenders USA. These folks came to Iowa and taught Iowa School Staff from the ground up and now reflect on the past and point to future possibilities.
2024 is a critical year in the fight for our Second Amendment rights! Make plans now to attend an important online NRA-ILA Grassroots Webinar focused on federal updates, featuring NRA-ILA Director of Federal Affairs, Brian Calabrese, on Tuesday, February 13th, at 7:00 p.m. EST. Be sure to RSVP below for the webinar link
The fight to protect our rights at all levels hinges on active patriots that remain educated on important Second Amendment issues. Your NRA-ILA team looks forward to sharing important updates with you regarding the battle to protect the Second Amendment on Capitol Hill and across the nation, as well as answering your questions and providing you with the grassroots tools you need to make your voice heard.
Stay tuned for invites to future webinars here: 2024 NRA-ILA Grassroots Webinars. All NRA-ILA webinars are Webex based and can be accessed via desktop computer, smartphone, or via call- in. You can find more information on Webex at www.webex.com
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