IFC 2A Lobby Day was a great success. But what the heck? This was the third year in a row we had another snow storm! In spite of that, over a hundred supporters showed up at the Iowa State Capitol building on a bitterly cold January morning last week. Further, we sold out the IFC-PAC Prime Rib Dinner that evening! Thanks to everyone who braved the weather to show their support for IFC and for the Second Amendment.
As always, IFC Volunteers and our legislative supporters came out and helped us with everything: from our opening prayer, to singing our National Anthem, to briefing the crowd. Our own Iowa Attorney General, Brenna Bird, then continued the program, discussing current court cases and federal legislative efforts that threaten our Second Amendment rights. She affirmed her continued support to defending our rights from an overreaching administration in Washington. We are fortunate to have such a fighter in the Attorney General’s office.
IFC Chairman, John McLaughlin took over then and asked a simple yet powerful question. If there is a fire in the room, do you grab a fire extinguisher, or do you wait for the fire department to show up? Why would we do anything different with our schools? It’s time to protect our kids and end gun-free zones in Iowa.
John then introduced Gabby Franco, this year’s featured speaker. We got to hear Gabby’s compelling story of becoming a Venezuelan Olympic Team Shooter, of leaving that country’s oppressive government regime and immigrating to the United States. Once in the U.S., she did not slow down. She has become an inspiring woman in the 2A community and has continued to speak to groups about how easily 2A rights can be taken, if we do not remain vigilant and stay engaged. She authored a book, TroubleShooting, and was a competitor on the TV show Top Shot. That evening, at the IFC-PAC Dinner, she provided more detail about her journey and finished the evening with a private Q&A session.
Sponsors & Supporters
Many thanks to our sponsors and supporting organizations who attended. Members got a chance to talk with the team from our sponsors CrossRoads Shooting Sports, and Black Flag Arsenal. Representatives from NRA-ILA were also there, and Turning Point USA.
Switching Gears: WTH?
Even gun control dangerous quack David Hogg made our point with this tweet on X!
Time for the Iowa Legislature to push back on EMC Insurance and demand that EMC, as it currently does in other states, cover Iowa School Districts who want to arm present, trained, and willing staffers to have the tools they need to stop school shooters in their tracks.
Help us educate Iowans on the facts by joining or renewing your IFC membershiphere today. And please stay Ready at All Times. And, if you missed this year’s event, plan to join us next year!
Shoot Straight, Speak The Truth, and Never Surrender Our Liberties.
IFC 2A Day was another huge success, and we have to thank, in no small part, the IFC Members and the Volunteers who braved weather and temps to come let everyone know just how passionate they are about the Second Amendment as a core civil right.
Herodotus is credited with a translation from George Herbert Palmer as having said:
It is said that as many days as there are in the whole journey, so many are the men and horses that stand along the road, each horse and man at the interval of a day’s journey; and these are stayed neither by snow nor rain nor heat nor darkness from accomplishing their appointed course with all speed.
Often adapted as the postman’s creed here in the US, it is neither official nor binding. What is official and binding you wonder? The dedication and fortitude of the average IFC member who trudged through snow in truly frigid temps to join us all at the Iowa State Capitol building for the annual IFC 2A Day. Our volunteers overcame adversity, failures from vendors, and a small contingent of pro-Palestine rioters hurling insults to put on a fantastic day of Second Amendment support and celebration! Fast forward to the evening when the temperature dropped and the snow started falling – did that keep people away? NO. They came out to the IFC-PAC fundraiser supper and enjoyed a great meal and an intimate gathering with Gabby Franco.
IFC’s key sponsors for the event, CrossRoads Shooting Sports and Volquartsen, both Iowa companies helped make the day possible. Our featured speaker, Gabby Franco, offered a particularly critical message about complacency and the nature of incremental losses of liberty. We heard from Representative Phil Thompson, Senator Brad Zaun, and our superstar Attorney General, Brenna Bird. IFC Chair, John McLaughlin and President Dave Funk addressed the crowd, while Representative Jon Dunwell started the day with prayer, Representative Brook Boden sang the national anthem, and a young lady led us all in the pledge of allegiance. Several County Supervisors participated. We had NRA board members in the gallery including Craig Swartz!
Between the Capitol 2A Day in the morning and the IFC-PAC Supper in the evening, Gabby and John McLaughlin were able to spend time on the air with Simon Conway on 1040AM and iHeart – Listen to their interview HERE.
I can’t help but wonder if Herodotus was speaking about the kind of people who brave the elements, and discomfort, and deny their personal preferences in service of others as a whole. If so, that definition adequately describes the IFC members and volunteers, along with all the support we enjoyed on IFC’s 2A Day! We’re grateful!
Do you like Stand Your Ground Laws? Preemption? Constitutional Carry? Emergency Powers Protection? Removal of the ban on youth shooting? The FREEDOM AMENDMENT? You’re welcome. If so, PLEASE BECOME A MEMBER – IFC NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!
IFC hit the ground running today on behalf of its members! Today, January 8th, marked the first day of the 2024 Legislative Session at the Capitol, and IFC was there. More specifically, our esteemed volunteer Lobbyist, Richard Rogers was there. If you are a member and have not yet met Richard, be sure to introduce yourself at the upcoming 2A Day at the Capitol. Richard is a fixture at the Capitol during the legislative session, always working to further our goals. He also works hard for IFC members throughout the year, as do all of our Board members. Richard focuses on building relationships with legislators and helping to bring them up to speed on Second Amendment issues. He religiously follows Second Amendment court cases and posts frequently, not only to bring them to your attention but also to explain why they are important to all of us who are concerned and involved in 2A issues. He’s very active on Facebook so be sure to follow him there.
Richard was joined today by Chris Lee, representing the National Shooting Sports Foundation, our close friend and ally. NSSF is also very active at the Iowa State Legislature, protecting and furthering our Second Amendment rights. Here is a link to a short video they recorded today while at the Capitol, discussing the legislative focus for NSSF this year.
If you want an update on IFC’s legislative agenda (indeed, on “all things IFC”), be sure to attend the 2A Lobby Day at the Capitol, being held this year on Thursday, January 18th. We are starting in the morning this year, so be sure to get there by 9:00 a.m. — there will be a shuttle from the parking area, as in the past. You will have the opportunity then to meet our event Sponsors and some of our Trusted Partners. Check out the discounts or special offers available to you as an IFC member.
The official program begins at 10:00 a.m. until noon. It is during this time that you will hear about IFC’s legislative proposals for 2024, some of which are carried forward from efforts that began last year. You will also have the opportunity to hear from our featured speaker, Gabby Franco, a Top Shot contender. Gabby represented Venezuela in the Olympics; in fact, she was the first woman Olympian for that country in shooting sports. She eventually left Venezuela, largely because of their prohibition against civilian gun ownership, and became a U.S. citizen. She has written a book, TroubleShooting, and is a highly acclaimed firearms instructor. She also speaks to groups around the country about what it is like to LOSE your right to keep and bear arms. Her message is sobering and should be a wake-up call to all of us.
After the program, you will have an opportunity to meet with your legislators, if you like. IFC volunteers can walk you through the process, which is really easy. Legislators pay attention when a constituent shows up at ‘their house’ to talk to them.
So, What Does Our Lobbyist Do For IFC?
The work of a lobbyist is NOT easy. Every single person who approaches a legislator wants something. Lobbyists must build and maintain relationships with an ever-changing slate of legislators and often must bring the newly elected legislators up to speed on Second Amendment issues. This includes education about the constitutional protections we have, about ongoing court cases, as well as about proposed legislation.
There is immense competition for legislators’ time and Second Amendment issues can be very detailed and contentious. You should be very grateful that Richard is willing to continue this work for all of us — he’s been doing it for many, many years. If you do run into him at 2A Lobby Day, be sure to shake his hand, and thank him for his tireless service.
Unable to get to the event at the Capitol? Then join us for the evening IFC-PAC Supper! The prime rib dinner is being served up at the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine in Altoona, from 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. There, you will hear again from our featured speaker, Gabby Franco, with a more in-depth and personal telling of her story. You will also hear from the folks on the IFC Board. This is where you will get the “inside scoop” about why certain legislation is being proposed, what we’re trying to accomplish for our members — in fact, for all Iowa gun owners — and some of the strategy necessary to accomplish these goals.
The first time I attended 2A Lobby Day and then the IFC-PAC Dinner, I thought it was strange that they had the same featured speaker for both events. However, having attended both events the past three years, I can tell you that the evening event is ALWAYS riveting. The speakers are free to truly tell their stories at the evening event. They aren’t standing in the Rotunda of the State Capitol. Everyone who attends the Supper is a “friendly”; there is no reason to be cautious about what they are saying and they aren’t as constrained by a tight schedule. It’s a much more casual gathering. Good food, good content, good people and good fun. Your only requirement? Show Up! (Especially all you women shooters. I KNOW you’re out there!)
Your “To-Do” List!
Attend the 2A Lobby Day at the Capitol, if you can. We must make an impression on the Legislature and strength is shown through the number of people who show up and voice their concern for Second Amendment issues. When our loud voices ring through the Rotunda, you can bet it gets the legislators’ attention! As you know, we face constant opposition. The legislators need to see our members and hear from them.
Join your friends, or make new ones, at the IFC-PAC Supper that evening! It truly is a fun event, as well as being informative! Click here for Tickets
Find Richard Rogers at one of these events and tell him just how much you appreciate what he does for us. His job is often thankless! 🙂
Mark your calendars NOW! The 2024 IFC 2A Lobby Day is scheduled for January 18th. This year it’s going to be in the morning, from 9:00 a.m. – Noon, at the Iowa State Capitol Building. By holding the event in the morning, this will give you more time to actually meet with your legislators that day. Our special guest speaker is Gabby Franco: Olympian, Top Shot contender, firearms instructor, author and more. She has an amazing story to tell.
This free event also provides an opportunity to learn about current proposed 2A legislation in Iowa and to meet with your elected representatives at the Capitol. Arrive at 9:00 a.m. to meet IFC’s Sponsors, and some of our Trusted Partners to see what they have to offer. The official program is from 10:00 – Noon.
Parking shuttle service will be provided, as always.
ANNUAL IFC-PAC DINNER EVENT!
Capping off the 2024 IFC 2A Day events is the IFC-PAC dinner, which will feature a prime rib supper. After the meal, you will have an opportunity to hear more about Gabby’s compelling story of escaping from an oppressive government regime and immigrating to the USA to become a U.S. citizen. She tells her story widely, to warn people about the gradual erosion of gun rights. Gabby is recognized internationally for her shooting skills and is an inspiring woman in the 2A community. There is so much to Gabby’s life story that you will be left amazed & inspired!
Also, (our members asked for it) and we are moving the IFC-PAC dinner event to a bigger venue this year! It will be held at the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine in Altoona, located at 1100 Shriners Pkwy, Altoona, IA, 50009, with convenient access from Interstate 80. Doors open at 5:30pm; dinner starts at 7pm.
Purchase your tickets for the IFC-PAC Dinner at this link. Don’t wait! Tickets are going fast.
As always, we will have raffles and door prizes! My special thanks to our IFC Events Coordinator, Eric Hansen, for his work to make this a great event.
This event is a way to help IFC-PAC to protect your 2A Rights to remain Ready at All Times.
I look forward to meeting each and every one of you at IFC 2A Day and the IFC PAC Dinner that evening.
Help us educate Iowan’s on the facts by joining or renewing your IFC membershiphere today.
Shoot Straight, Speak The Truth, and Never Surrender Our Liberties.
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!
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Further, we sold out the IFC-PAC Prime Rib Dinner that evening! Thanks to everyone who braved the weather to show their support for IFC and for the Second Amendment.
She affirmed her continued support to defending our rights from an overreaching administration in Washington. We are fortunate to have such a fighter in the Attorney General’s office. 
Once in the U.S., she did not slow down. She has become an inspiring woman in the 2A community and has continued to speak to groups about how easily 2A rights can be taken, if we do not remain vigilant and stay engaged. She authored a book, TroubleShooting, and was a competitor on the TV show Top Shot. That evening, at the IFC-PAC Dinner, she provided more detail about her journey and finished the evening with a private Q&A session. 
Richard is a fixture at the Capitol during the legislative session, always working to further our goals. He also works hard for IFC members throughout the year, as do all of our Board members. Richard focuses on building relationships with legislators and helping to bring them up to speed on Second Amendment issues. He religiously follows Second Amendment court cases and posts frequently, not only to bring them to your attention but also to explain why they are important to all of us who are concerned and involved in 2A issues. He’s very active on Facebook so be sure to follow him there.
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