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!
Today at the NRA annual meeting in Indy, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signed an executive order to stop her state from contracting with companies that boycott the firearm industry. Iowa can send the same message by passing SF 507 WITH HOUSE AMENDMENTS. Iowa taxpayer dollars, in the form of state contracts, shouldn’t be going to companies that hate your #2A rights and show it by boycotting the firearm industry.
The April 2023 edition of NRA’s “America’s 1st Freedom” magazine has a great article entitled “10 Things the Mainstream Media Doesn’t Want You to Know About Concealed Carry“. It’s well worth reading and I encourage you to do so. The second of the ten points discussed in the article is the transition in the language used by the media and politicians over the past ten or so years. For example, there has been a not-so-subtle shift in wording—now referring mostly to “gun-safety measures”, as opposed to “gun-control laws”. This turn of phrase is not accidental and it has a significant impact when gun owners are trying to have a rational discussion with those who would like to see all guns banned. It’s the same tactic used when they refer to “gun violence” instead of “violent crime”. It takes the focus off the criminals and puts it on the guns. Guns are therefore evil and since people don’t want evil amongst us, it stands to reason that we just need to get rid of guns. Right? NO. Words, as someone reminded me recently, are important. And the use of these words is a distinction WITHOUT a difference.
The words “gun-control” are threatening, but those who want a gun-free United States have gotten smarter. They speak of “gun-safety”, which sounds like a good societal goal. We all want to feel safe. “Gun-safety” sounds like a good thing. But it is the same draconian Beto O’Rourke beating on the drum, “Hell yes, we’re going to come for your AR-15s!” that has been going on for years. It just sounds better. It sounds more reasonable
A Deliberate Political Pivot
And therein lies the problem. It is not just semantics. It is a deliberate political pivot. An industry-wide effort to make us seem as though we would prefer an unsafe world. You must be an anarchist to not want “gun-safety”!
Make no mistake. It is “gun-control” (aka “people-control”) plain and simple and that, in this country, is unconstitutional. This has been borne out in several important court cases over the past fifteen years (Heller, McDonald, Bruen). We have an unalienable, God-given right to keep and bear arms, for our own protection and the protection of others. We have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Those words matter.
If you are not an NRA-ILA member (NRA-Institute for Legislative Action), it is time to join! Protect your Second Amendment rights at the federal and state levels. Read on to learn why.
The NRA can teach you a lot about gun culture, teach you about firearms and related gear and offers courses to train you in just about any firearms use. It also brings us stories of good guys with guns as well as great stories of current interest to those who support the Second Amendment. We are all familiar with NRA, but many people are less familiar with NRA-ILA, which I would argue is at least as impactful as the NRA.
Learn More: Upcoming Calls
NRA-ILA has two calls coming up over the next week which you can join. Links to register for these calls appear below. You may join either, or both, of the calls. Calls generally last one hour and are chock-full of information and insights about court cases, legislative efforts, and their impact on your Second Amendment rights. Information is power.
The NRA-ILA was formed in 1975 because it became apparent that our elected officials often don’t know much about firearms, or think they are an abomination. This means that the legislation crafted by those officials is often riddled with errors, based on false assumptions, or influenced by those who want to make all firearms go away.
What Does NRA-ILA Do?
Electing the right candidates is easier than to try to sway the opinions of those who are already elected. For example, try to change the mind of an elected official who “hate guns”, is afraid of them or simply does not understand why anyone would need a firearm. The NRA-ILA exists to:
develop a cohesive platform and goals for Second Amendment legislation
educate and lobby elected officials on 2A issues
inform members about important 2A laws or legislative proposals
provide information about candidates’ positions and who is most likely to support the Second Amendment
track voting records of officials after they are elected
keep members informed about current 2A court challenges across the country, the probable outcome, and the implications
monitor and inform members of the actions and regulations issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF)
issue Action Alerts offering members an easy opportunity to weigh in on proposed federal or state legislation
“Over the past few years, NRA-ILA members and the NRA have decidedly changed politics in America. Across the country, from the presidential race to Congress to state legislative races, there has been a noted increase in ads proudly proclaiming candidates’ pro-gun credentials.” [NRA-ILA website]
To be an effective advocate to protect your Second Amendment rights, and to be informed and aware of laws and court cases that will affect you, join the NRA-ILA. Iowa has two NRA-ILA Frontlines Activist Leaders (FAL):
IFC’s Annual 2A Day – Do you 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
Sign up now for our e-mail alert list to stay plugged into what's going on with your 2A rights here in Iowa.
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