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! 🙂
Life has tried to break me… Have you ever pondered that? I think you’ll find a good many people have either said it or heard it, and you’d be wise to prepare for it. Life will be too heavy to lift at times, but you can persevere. …And help is always appreciated.
Blogging for IFC gives me, as a former Chairman and current board member, a great deal of latitude. I’m usually left to my own devices these days to chase the rabbits I wish. This particular blog deals with suffering, God, and lovingkindness more so than IFC’s typical content. If that isn’t your cup of tea, there are a thousand other blogs on the site you may read and enjoy. I’m offering this blog as a point of personal privilege, if you will, and departing just a bit from my typical advocacy messaging, although if you read my blogs you’ll sense who and what I am. I’d like to posit the idea of burdens and helping ease others’ burdens to you.
I was thinking about this concept during our annual IFC-PAC steak supper. Our special guest speaker was Kris “Tanto” Paronto. I was seated at a table with some friends and my bride just a few feet from Tanto. As he recounted his personal account of the 9-11-2012 attack in Benghazi, you could see by his gestures, the look on his face, and the tone and timber of his voice he was reliving his experiences. It became obvious to me he’d given, and continues to give, no small amount of himself in his work. …And make no mistake, there is a significant cost associated with giving this much of oneself.
Life has tried to break me, the wounds have not yet healed. But I am not a victim, never been and never will. My heart was born a warrior, each day I’m fighting still. I am everything the darkness could not kill.
-John Mark Green
Supporting one another seems to come hand-in-hand with the volunteer corps at IFC. We’re a very understanding group and I’m really proud of how we come alongside one another when there’s a family problem or hurdle to jump. But I often worry about how western culture embraces the folks around us who are hurting. I listen to all kinds of rhetoric each time there is an act of violence involving a gun. Of course, there is automatic blame on a hunk of metal, as if violence and the hearts and minds of man would no longer matter if the hunk of metal had never been invented. That’s a really ignorant thing to believe and say, especially in times of loss. If you chase that rabbit long enough, you’ll arrive at the truth – statements like those are cruel. Why? Because at their heart they contain no respect for truth. As we defend the truth we’re often vilified for it.
There are no fundamental problems with our brand of defense. Yet, I hope we don’t lose sight of concepts like love and caring during the skirmish. As Tanto offered the history and some specifics of his story, he also offered very personal and private glimpses of himself for us all to contemplate. Tanto, like us all, needs prayer and compassion.
I had a ton of questions I wished to ask him. I compiled a running list of them as the night progressed. They ranged from particulars from the book and movie to weapon choices and applications, to experiences in and out of the church as a Dad. I had a long list, so I planned on waiting until the end of the night to go down through them all with Tanto. After the function was winding down, there were four or five of us left, and Tanto made his way over to shake my hand and thank me for being a small part of the evening. That was my chance. I have no doubt, despite how tired he was, he would have plopped down at a table and been gracious enough to answer all my questions as best he could. But it was at that moment that I recalled his eyes during his talk. I sensed that each time he gives these addresses, it taxes him deeply. I sensed a battle between pleasure and pain that few might grasp. That evening, he seemed to offer others absolutely indispensable precepts for examination all while metaphorically gutting himself in the process. The fact that he makes a supplemental living doing so is probably inconsequential – if it helped someone, he’d tell his story to anyone willing to listen and reflect. As such, I was moved to depart from my protracted mental list of questions. Alternately, I shook his hand with a warm embrace, offered him a smile, and thanked him.
And that brings us full circle. Life has tried to break Tanto, just as it has, or will, you and I. He’s willing to put himself in uncomfortable places among strangers hoping that it’ll make difference for others. …And are we willing to do the same? Are we willing to put ourselves out of our comfort zones to come alongside others? Can we help someone who is hurting? Do we?
If I saw a “Moms Demand Action” sticker in the back window of a car with a blown tire, would I pull over, grab that spare, and get to work, or would I view that person as some sort of enemy and drive off? Our fight to preserve liberty is crucial, but we must do so magnanimously. We’re children of the Creator, and we should behave in ways to routinely glorify Him. Tanto needs your prayers, as does your enemy, as do your colleagues. Don’t lose sight of this.
I made a mistake with Tanto at the end of the night, of which I’m ashamed. I didn’t need to ask a bunch of questions to satisfy my curiosity, so I didn’t, and that was just fine. But I should have given him my number without expectation he provide his, and I should have let him know that if he needed to call on me as a brother to talk or send me a text at a particularly tough moment, I’d take that call and respond. Folks like him meet a lot of people, but I’m not always convinced they have a ton of “brothers” in the sense of Christ. …And even if he never ever needed to use my number, the gesture might have helped ease his burden just a little bit. I am taking steps to relay my number to him, and maybe he’ll read this blog someday. You never know.
To Tanto: I apologize. I could sense what you needed the other night, but I only got it half right, and I didn’t provide what I truly believed might be helpful – the offer of my love, compassion, and time. If you call, I’ll do my very best on all three accounts. I seek your forgiveness.
Don’t make my mistake, folks. When you sense someone is hurting, come alongside them. You may not have any idea how much good you can do in this world. Comfortable or not, if only we’d try…
IFC’s Annual 2A Day – 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
One of the heroes of the 9/11/2012 terrorist attack on the U.S. compound in Benghazi, Kris “Tanto” Paranto, shares his thoughts on the second amendment, firearms training, and faith with IFC chair John McLaughlin. Paronto will be the featured speaker at the IFC 2A Day on February 22 at the Iowa State Capitol.
Tanto is the guest on IFC’s Warrior Wednesday, Episode 49! If you like what you hear, you CANNOT miss him speaking at IFC’s annual 2A Day at the capitol. …And if you’re really interested in having a personal conversation with Tanto and would like to hear his personal account of his experience in Benghazi, buy a ticket to the IFC-PAC supper fundraiser the same evening!
IFC-PAC Steak Supper Fundraiser with Special Guest Speaker, Kris “Tanto” Paronto. Come out to support IFC’s Political Action Committee, enjoy a great steak with all the trimmings, drinks, and great conversation. A real special treat for this big evening is the conversation you’ll have with Kris Paronto.
Kris Paronto offers a firsthand account of what happened on the ground during the 2012 Benghazi attack. Bringing valor, compassion, and authenticity to the stage, Kris shares the unforgettable story of the brave individuals who fought back in Benghazi along with key takeaways on leadership and teamwork that can be applied in any environment.
Steak, potato, salad, soft drinks, and tap beer included.
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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.
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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