Just 79 days from today, on January 18, 2024, Iowa Firearms Coalition is holding its annual 2A Lobby Day at the Capitol! IFC has every reason to be proud of its signature event. Prior years have included featured speakers such as Kris “Tanto” Paronto (Benghazi/13 Hours) and Stephen Willeford (“The Barefoot Defender”/Sutherland Springs Church Shooting). IFC makes a special effort to bring speakers to you not just for what they have done, or what they know, but for the hard experiences they have had and the wisdom they can share with us. And I’m sure you know by now that Gabby Franco is our featured speaker for this year’s big event!
Why Gabby Franco? Is it because she was the first female shooter to represent her home country of Venezuela in the Olympics in shooting sports? Is it because she was the only female Top Shot contender who made it to the final stage of the competition (Season 4), and and the only woman to compete in the “All-Star Season” of Top Shot? Or is it because in 2013 she published a book Troubleshooting: Mastering Your Pistol Marksmanship? Well…yes — partially.
Back on February 8, 2021, Gabby participated via Zoom in an IFC hosted panel discussion with Iowa State legislators to describe what it was like growing up in Venezuela and how their citizens’ rights were incrementally stripped away. Citizens could not own guns any longer, and Venezuela became a very dangerous country. It was the drastic changes in her home country that drove Gabby to the US, where she became a citizen. Her story is a cautionary tale and one that bears a striking resemblance to many of the gun-control efforts taking place in the US today. And THAT is why you need to hear her story. That is why Gabby Franco is our featured speaker for the upcoming 2A Lobby Day.
But, besides her accomplishments, Gabby demonstrates a quality of character and perseverance that is admirable. It is not as much what she has done as who she is that makes her so very impressive. I want to share something with you that shows her spirit, her determination and her drive. She credits her Olympic training for her abilities to “dig deep”, put failures behind her and move forward with optimism:
“It’s that mindset learned through Olympic shooting that help get Franco through one of those tough patches we all hit in life.
“I lost my job. My ex-husband left me. I was at rock-bottom — dead,” she says. “I remember sitting and crying and not knowing what to do. [But] the mentality of shooting that I learned in Olympic shooting is that you don’t dwell in the past. If you have a bad shot, you don’t worry about the bad shot. You don’t even worry about the future. You don’t worry about what the next shot is going to be, that is not your concern.”
With that lesson learned through shooting, Franco didn’t dwell on the past or anguish over the future. Instead, she focused on the here and now, asked herself what Gabby the shooter would do and made a plan.
“I started thinking,” she says. “I was like, ‘Okay, I can cry all I want over what’s happening to me, but what can I do right now to get out of this situation?’”
Franco knew she could shoot; she had made it to the Olympics after all. She remembers thinking, “I think I can teach one or two things to people about how to shoot well, and that is when I decided I was going to be an instructor.””
I could go on and on with accolades about Gabby’s achievements. Instead, I will share the links below with you so you can explore for yourself, while you wait the next 79 days to meet her in person @ IFC’s 2A Lobby Day!I am beyond excited to meet this remarkable woman! I hope you will join us for a great event to give Gabby Franco a very warm welcome.
Please note: this year’s 2A Lobby Day event begins at 9AM.
The program is from 10:00-12:00. See Flyer for additional information.
Gabby Franco, Olympian, Competitive Shooter, and all-around American talks with Michael Ware of IFC about her time growing up in Venezuela and offers a unique perspective and context for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, especially during these trying times in Israel and beyond.
Gabby will be our featured speaker at the 2024 IFC 2A Day at the Iowa Capitol this year held on January 18th. (Note, this year we’re holding a morning program, so pay close attention to the start times.)
As the saying goes, while the cat’s away, the mice will play! IFC’s illustrious President, Dave Funk, who normally pens this message, decided he needed a little vacation. Reluctantly, we let him go. (Hope you’re having a good time, Dave!) So, this message is a look back at the year so far and a couple of things to come.
Legislation
2023 has already been quite a year for IFC members. Granted, the legislature did not deliver for us, but it was not for lack of effort! Our volunteer Lobbyist, Richard Rogers, spent every day at the Capitol impressing on the legislators the importance of the bills we were supporting and trying to garner the votes needed to pass them. Michael Ware, also on the Board of Directors, put in countless hours, and others wrote pieces explaining the purpose of each bill and why it was important, drafted information pieces for our members, and wrote letters for our members to submit via Action Alerts. (If you haven’t used our Action Center yet, take a look here.)
All to no avail…I can tell you that IFC is not used to this! Historically, IFC has helped to get many 2A bills ‘over the finish line’ (and “killed” many bills that never should see the light of day). If you want to see just how effective IFC has been over the years, look here. But you can’t win them all, unfortunately, and we now have information about the opposition to these bills so will be better able to position them for success next Session. As Arnold Schwarzenegger says, “I’ll be back!”.
2A Lobby Day 2023
Then, in February, there was 2A Lobby Day. Of course, it snowed and it WAS windy and cold, but that did not stop folks from trekking to the Capitol. If you missed it, I’m sorry. Kris Paronto “Tanto” of legendary Benghazi fame, talked straight from the heart to the attendees in the Rotunda.
He and his team were the victims of red tape, indecision, politics and bureaucracy — delays and bad decisions that cost Ambassador Stevens his life. Tanto and his team were absolutely caught out, seriously outgunned. No one came to their rescue–all night long. Since no one (on the other side) was in uniform, one of the biggest challenges was identifying the friendlies from the terrorists. His retelling of the story was detailed, heart-wrenching, and raw. It was clear that his life, and the lives of his team, were irrevocably changed. If you did miss the event, be sure to watch 13 Hours.
2A Lobby Day 2024
In the meantime, SAVE THE DATE! January 18, 2024, at the Capitol for the 2024 2A Lobby Day. Gabby Franco (competitive shooter previously featured on Top Shot, and Walther Firearms representative) moved to the US from Venezuela and is now a US Citizen. Her story is compelling and a cautionary tale about what can happen if we don’t protect our Second Amendment rights. More information to come!
First Responder Training April 2023
Now rewind to April and a day of First Responder & Self Defense Training in Newton. Organized by Michael Ware, and John McLaughlin (who conducted the training), this event was held in a church in Newton. 172 people attended and they learned about situational awareness, concealment, and cover, how and when to apply a tourniquet, or use a chest seal or pack a wound. They also learned “Firearms 101” and practiced with pepper spray (inert cannisters). It was a fantastic day. Many church security folks were there. Several farmers and farmers’ wives, and their kids, also attended. One shared with me that she wanted to come because, “If he’s out on the tractor and one of the kids gets hurt, I need to know what to do”.
On The Border 2023
Just this past week, I had an eye-opening trip (not affiliated with IFC) to the Yuma sector of our border in Arizona. Our group heard from the Mayor of Yuma, the recently retired Chief of the Border Patrol/Yuma Sector, farmers and educators and health care providers working in the area, the Sheriff, and other Border Patrol agents on the job. I have actually spent 25 years of my life living along the border (not in the Yuma sector), so I thought I had a pretty good grasp of the situation but “Dorothy, we’re not in Kansas anymore!” Things have definitely changed since the last administration and now that Title 42 has expired, the situation is even more grim. The impacts to public safety, hospitals and other medical facilities, and to the schools is horrendous. The number of apprehensions is staggering and the amount of fentanyl (and other drugs) coming across is unfathomable.
The border wall — where it exists — really is a great big beautiful wall (as shown in photo below)…with gaps that are as wide as two tour busses end-to-end in some places. This “gap” wasn’t quite that large. Perhaps only as wide as a single tour bus.
We were told that apprehensions over the past year were from 140 countries, with apprehensions from Mexico ranking 8th or 9th.
They are seeing more people attempt border crossings from Russia and China; the highest number of apprehensions was single Adult Males. It was an informative, astounding and disheartening trip. The need for border security and for immigration reform is paramount.
Next Up: IFC Educator Academy
Looking forward, IFC is hosting the IFC Educator’s Academy August 15-17 for eighteen very fortunate Iowa school employees who will spend three jam-packed days learning from experts about Active Shooter situations in schools and being trained on how to effectively counter that threat. IFC is not only putting this program together and bringing in the experts, but is sponsoring $1,000 scholarships for those fortunate school employees, to cover the cost of the program. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, or to learn more about the program, check out the link above.
Join IFC!
Yes, we are that busy! Keep in mind, IFC is an all-volunteer organization. If you want to get involved, JOIN IFC! We are always looking for new talent to help out with these events and at gun shows…(Oops! I forgot to mention the numerous gun shows!) Oh, and I forgot to mention the weekly vlog from John McLaughlin “Warrior Wednesdays“! There is indeed a lot going on at IFC. We could really use some help with those gun shows, with graphic design, event coordination, and to help further develop our Trusted Partners program, which is one of the ways we are adding value to your membership.
Thus ends the “surrogate President’s Message” for the week! 🙂
Gabby Franco was the first female shooter to represent Venezuela in the Olympics. As an accomplished author, speaker, competitive shooter, and instructor, she is recognized worldwide for her shooting skills and advocacy for the right to own and bear arms. Gabby’s 25 years of experience in Olympic, self-defense, and practical shooting have served as a platform to educate and empower thousands of people through live and virtual training across the United States and Puerto Rico. For over eighteen years, Gabby has shown her commitment to promoting shooting sports by not only participating and winning medals in various competitions, but also sending a message of dedication, sportsmanship, and a positive attitude.
Gabby Franco was featured in Season 4 of the hit TV Series, “TOP SHOT” shown on the History Channel. Following her success from Season 4, Gabby was the single woman to participate in the “All-Star season” of TOP SHOT.
If you like our Warrior Wednesday content and would choose to support IFC, the best way is through membership. Please join IFC today.
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!
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He and his team were the victims of red tape, indecision, politics and bureaucracy — delays and bad decisions that cost 
They are seeing more people attempt border crossings from Russia and China; the highest number of apprehensions was single Adult Males. It was an informative, astounding and disheartening trip. The need for border security and for immigration reform is paramount.
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