Net Neutrality and the Second Amendment — what do they have to do with each other, you might ask? A lot it turns out. Think about the continued increases in both the size and scope of the Federal Government during the last 100 years.
NET NEUTRALITY
First, what is Net Neutrality? “Net neutrality” was a term coined by Columbia University law professor Tim Wu in a 2003 paper titled “Network Neutrality, Broadband Discrimination.” I first heard of it from the tech guys when I entered the political candidate realm in 2009-2010. To sum it up, it was and is the concept that Internet Service Providers should not be allowed to throttle content to only those that they wanted, thereby stifling the free exchange of ideas and free speech. But in practice, it was a poorly disguised power grab by the Leftists in the Administrative State.
Not surprisingly, Obama seized the opportunity to use the Federal Communications Commission to silence his opposition. He tried to expand the power of the FCC to regulate ISPs in 2015 by imposing Net Neutrality rules. President Trump’s FCC Commissioner quickly rolled back those regulations. However, Biden’s minions reimposed those restrictive rules in April of 2024. Remember, the FCC only has authority over the airwaves, like radio and television, in the electromagnetic spectrum.
Sixth Circuit Decision
Those Biden rules were quickly challenged in multiple Federal District Courts. The challenges were ultimately consolidated to the Sixth Judicial District. Correctly, Circuit Judge Richard Griffin, writing for a unanimous panel, just slapped them down:
“That brings us to today. The Safeguarding Order once more imposes net-neutrality policies on Broadband Internet Service Providers by reclassifying broadband Internet as a telecommunications service subject to common-carrier regulation under Title II. 89 Fed. Reg. at 45404.3 This order—issued during the Biden administration—undoes the order issued during the first Trump administration, which undid the order issued during the Obama administration, which undid orders issued during the Bush and Clinton administrations. Cf. Loper Bright, 144 S. Ct. at 2288 (Gorsuch, J., concurring) (lamenting that “Chevron deference engender[ed] constant uncertainty and convulsive change even when the statute at issue itself remains unchanged”). Applying Loper Bright means we can end the FCC’s vacillations.”
Google, Facebook, and NetFlix were all in on those rules, looking to further monopolize the marketplace and stifle competition. However, unless appealed to the Supreme Court (or unless Congress acts to impose these bad ideas), it looks like the final nail is in the coffin of expanding the FCC’s power to regulate the internet.
This is an important decision and a major win for the First Amendment. This decision further reins in the Administrative State and protects our fundamental human rights. Think of FaceBook’s anti-gun content policies, or the Blue States attempting to outlaw 3D Printing file-sharing to stop the private production of personal firearms or other accessories.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT IN 2025
As Iowans, we need to ask ourselves if we want to emulate New York City, (or nearly all Blue cities) where people are afraid to protect strangers and cower in fear over doing the right thing. Or will we stay true to our Iowa motto: “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain”?
Iowans proved in 2022 that we have courage when we overwhelmingly passed The Freedom Amendment. Let’s remain a Free State where courage is celebrated, and not prosecuted like in New York.
2A LOBBY DAY AND THE IFC-PAC DINNER
2A Day on February 18th at the State Capitol is fast approaching! Don’t forget to get your tickets for the IFC-PAC BBQ Dinner that evening with Iowa Hero, Major Jeff Streucker of Black Hawk Down Fame.
This week’s IFC Warrior Wednesday features Cody Hinton of Brownells. We talk industry trends, buying power, best practices, and even got a scoop on the new Brownells BRN-180 Gen 3!!!! This week IFC’s trusted partner feature is POM Industries – pepper spray and more! IFC’s trusted partner page on the site will provide discount codes and ordering information.
IFC is active on X and you should be also… FOLLOW US and ENGAGE! Here are a few that dropped the first few days of January in case you missed them. Do yourself, IFC, and the movement a favor by liking and sharing these posts. It truly helps more than you may realize.
“The state has no constitutional or moral authority to regulate the weapons that the people may possess or carry. The law’s proper purpose is to restrain or punish actual bad (criminal) behavior. The Supreme Court has now repeatedly affirmed that Second Amendment rights are fundamental, not second class, rights. A new resolve to strike down government overreach is spreading across the nation and the world. Iowa’s legislators need to take this opportunity and amend or repeal our state’s laws accordingly.” -Richard Rogers – Iowa Firearms Coalition Board Member, Chief Lobbyist, and NRA Distinguished Advocate Award Winner
IFC Legislative Agenda for the Great State of Iowa includes the following and more to come:
Safer Families Act (provisions of HF654 – passed by the House on April 12, 2023)
Intended to eliminate most of the few remaining “No Guns Zones” in Iowa law
Repeals ban on firearms and ammunition in
Vehicles on the grounds of correctional facilities
Vehicles in publicly accessible parking lots operated by state or local government
Vehicles transporting foster children
School vehicles transporting pupils (authorized armed staff only)
Allows for permit holders to have a concealed handgun in their vehicle when dropping off or picking up at a school
Prohibits state universities and community colleges from banning lawfully possessed weapons in vehicles on their grounds
Repeals the ban on firearms in state-licensed gambling facilities
Repeals the statutes on “manner of conveyance” of long guns in vehicles
Provides for firearm safety Instruction in schools
Provides necessary clean-up of some language in Iowa Code 724 in the wake of the 2021 adoption of permitless carry of weapons
Full 2A Rights for Young Adults
IFC will again seek to remove statutory restrictions on handguns affecting young adults aged 18-20.
2A/4A Protection in Private Parking Lots
IFC will again seek to pass legislation prohibiting employers from disciplining or firing employees who lawfully possess weapons or ammunition in their vehicles on employer-provided parking areas.
Gadsden Flag License Plate to Fund 2A Education and Training
IFC will seek to create an Iowa Gadsden Flag license plate, with funds devoted to 2A education and training, with first priority to IFC or similar groups
Require Iowa Government Agencies to Auction Seized Firearms
IFC will seek to require public disposition of seized firearms, rather than have them all go to the state’s crime lab or be destroyed.
Remove Conservation Officers’ Authority for Warrantless Searches
Investigations on private property must honor Fourth Amendment rights by requiring probable cause, permission or a warrant.
Additionally, there are items in the code that need to be removed and the code streamlined. Things like “724.29 Firearm devices. A person who sells or offers for sale a manual or power-driven trigger activating device constructed and designed so that when attached to a firearm increases the rate of fire of the firearm is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor. 90 Acts, ch 1147, §1” aren’t relevant, weren’t well constructed at the time, and should cease being in code. To quote my dear friend, Richard Rogers:
“The state has no constitutional or moral authority to regulate the weapons that the people may possess or carry. The law’s proper purpose is to restrain or punish actual bad (criminal) behavior. The Supreme Court has now repeatedly affirmed that Second Amendment rights are fundamental, not second class, rights. A new resolve to strike down government overreach is spreading across the nation and the world. Iowa’s legislators need to take this opportunity and amend or repeal our state’s laws accordingly.”
-Richard Rogers – Iowa Firearms Coalition Board Member, Chief Lobbyist, and NRA Distinguished Advocate Award Winner
Gun Owners Radio: Episode 438 with the Iowa Firearms Coalition – IFC’s Michael Ware was a guest and was interviewed by Michael Schwartz and Alisha Curtin. Fun interview and vital discussion. IFC is featured around 1hr 11mins, but the entire discussion is a fundamental dive into questions that need to be asked and answered. We highly recommend listening to the entire episode.
Michael A. Schwartz is the Executive Director of San Diego County Gun Owners PAC (SDCGO). SDCGO is a political organization that focuses on Second Amendment issues at the local level. SDCGO is changing the face of gun ownership by getting volunteers involved in local level activism and outreach. Michael is passionate about Second Amendment rights, and a true leader in preserving gun rights through action. He has helped launch Orange County Gun Owners, Riverside County Gun Owners, and San Bernardino County Gun Owners. Get involved, have some fun, and make a difference.
Alisha Curtin is the multi-talented host of Gun Owners Radio and one of the most sought-after firearms trainers in San Diego! Alisha is a passionate defender of the Second Amendment and a true firearms expert, with years of experience in shooting and training. With her engaging personality and no-nonsense approach, Alisha has quickly become the go-to source for all things gun-related. Whether she’s sharing tips on the latest training techniques or diving into the hot-button issues facing gun owners, Alisha’s unique perspective and insight make Gun Owners Radio a must-listen for anyone interested in guns and the rights of gun owners.
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Those Biden rules were quickly challenged in multiple Federal District Courts. The challenges were ultimately consolidated to the Sixth Judicial District. Correctly, Circuit Judge Richard Griffin, writing for a unanimous panel, just slapped them down:
2A Day on February 18th at the State Capitol is fast approaching! Don’t forget to get your tickets for the IFC-PAC BBQ Dinner that evening with Iowa Hero, Major Jeff Streucker of Black Hawk Down Fame. 
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