by admin | Nov 17, 2014
It is my honor to announce Barry Snell as the new President of Iowa Firearms Coalition. Barry is a solid pro-Second Amendment patriot who will serve you well. It is a great privilege to be able to pass the torch to someone who will be able to bring some fresh energy and ideas to the role as well as continue in the traditions that have made us Iowa’s most respected and successful firearms rights organization.
I recruited Barry to IFC after reading an article he had authored in the Iowa State Daily and I have been grateful for his contributions as IFC’s Communications Director. I look forward to working with him as he assumes the Presidency.
I am sure the first question that comes to mind for most is curiosity as to why we are making this change. In short, I have too much going on to continue with the day-to-day operations of the organization. I have a full time job in IT, I have a wife and 5 kids, I am a volunteer EMT in our small town, and I am actively involved in our local community in various other ways, including coaching kids athletics and local church activities. Right now, my professional career and family simply need more of my time.
In anticipation of this move, the IFC Board of Director’s last spring elected me to the Board, where I will continue to serve our members. I will primarily continue to help with lobbying and legislative efforts, as well as in developing the vision for the organization moving forward. I will also continue to speak publicly for the organization as needed at gun shows, IFC gatherings, in the media and other outlets.
IFC has proudly been a completely volunteer organization from its inception as Iowa Carry (as we were known before successfully changing Iowa to a Shall Issue state). I started volunteering with the organization in an official capacity about 8 years ago, helping at gun shows and bringing in new members before officially being asked to help out as the Action Center Manager. Over 3 years ago I was honored to be elevated to the position of IFC President, but it’s time for me to concentrate more on my family, take a step into a less demanding role and allow others to serve.
Additionally, I want to say thank you to all of you who are faithful members of this great organization. I can honestly say that every dime you give to this organization goes 100% to the cause. In addition, you give your time and attention, which is invaluable. I can’t stress enough how much respect our organization receives at the Capitol because of your willingness to work hard and represent our cause with great honor and pride.
I also want to thank those of you that served directly under me in more prominent roles. I deeply value your friendship and contribution to the cause. Thank you for continuing to make extra time to keep this organization moving forward.
My sincere thanks go to the Board of Directors for your friendship and confidence in me as a leader. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the membership and all Iowans as we continue the fight to fully reclaim our Second Amendment rights.
Finally, to my wife and family: Thank you for all of your support and encouragement over the past few years. It’s taken a tremendous amount of time away from you, yet you’ve been supportive of me and the cause through it all. I love you and appreciate you as you’ve walked this journey with me.
Continuing to advance your Second Amendment rights in Iowa,
Jeff Burkett
Board of Directors
Iowa Firearms Coalition
by admin | Nov 17, 2014
Barry Snell follows Jeff Burkett as IFC President
There’s been a change in leadership within the Iowa Firearms Coalition. Jeff Burkett has retired from his position as president of the organization. Burkett is being succeeded by Communications Director Barry Snell. Burkett will join the IFC Board of Directors where he will remain active with organization.
Burkett has been with the organization since 2008 and has served as president since 2011. He’s played a key role in many major projects, including: changing Iowa’s Concealed Weapons Permitting system from May Issue to Shall Issue, the creation of a Dove Hunting season, and fighting off proposed weapons bans in several Iowa communities.
Barry Snell has served as Communications Director for the Iowa Firearms Coalition since early 2014. A lifelong shooter, Snell’s professional experience includes a political science degree from Iowa State, legislative work in the Iowa Capitol, and public service in both Iowa law enforcement and the US Army.
Snell and Burkett have already coordinated on many projects, and the change in leadership will not have any effect on day to day operations.
Iowa Firearms Coalition is an entirely volunteer, grassroots, 2nd Amendment advocacy group. Responsible for bringing uniformity to Iowa’s Concealed Weapons Permitting process, IFC’s members work to protect and enhance 2nd Amendment rights in Iowa. An affiliate of the National Rifle Association, the IFC actively seeks to foster and promote the shooting sports.
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by admin | Nov 14, 2014
There’s a lot of misguided thought in our country about the NRA, but few people take the time to appreciate the value an organization such as this provides to our great republic. The following letter was penned by Lech Marcinkowski, a visiting dignitary who serves as an adviser to the Polish President. In it, he points out the benefits the NRA provides our country and he does so in a way that only someone foreign to our country can do. The millions of men and women who fill the ranks of the NRA already recognize these benefits, but somehow hearing this message from a new source can remind us of just how good we have it here in the United States.
The Brighter Side of the NRA – Lech Marcinkowski
Despite all of the criticism directed at the National Rifle Association (NRA), I find their presence beneficial to democracy in the U.S. and I wish a similar organization appeared in my own country, Poland. As a Marshall Memorial Fellow, I recently met with NRA representatives in Washington, DC. This marked the first time I was confronted with a comprehensive set of arguments for bearing guns. I was fascinated by the actual power of an organization that was founded in 1871 to “promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis.”
There is abundant research on the NRA and its influence on the political life of the U.S. It claims to have over 5 million members, of which over 3 million regularly pay their dues. Most of their income is from contributions, grants, royalties, advertising, and the firearms industry. Many would characterize the NRA as one of the most powerful lobbying organizations in the U.S. In addition, it seems to be an organization with the ability to successfully engage average citizens in debate and encourage them to participate in the political life of the country. One of the most notable results of their efforts seems to be a large number of bumper-stickers devoted to this subject.
These stickers are fun, but don’t let that distract you from their impact. The NRA is able to encourage people not only to post a sticker, but also to be engaged in political life. It runs voter registration drives; Get Out The Vote campaigns at the national, state, and local levels; it recruits, trains and mobilizes Election Volunteer Coordinators; and it remains politically active throughout the United States despite being a “single issue” organization. I witnessed a political rally in Rapid City, South Dakota, where a former governor was endorsed by the NRA as a Senate candidate. About 200 people participated in the event, which featured the chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, the former NRA president and current attorney general of South Dakota. The candidate, Mike Rounds, hoped he would gain from the campaign organized by NRA supporters, who cheered loudly at every promise he made about the right to bear arms.
How can such a marginal movement (marginal in terms of their area focus of) have such a beneficial influence on the political activity of an average American? It might be due to a very controversial yet simple subject, and a strong reference to the Constitution. By basing their rights on the Second Amendment, the NRA constantly reminds Americans about the importance of the Constitution and the necessity to respect it. Leaving aside the debate of whether the Founding Fathers meant single-shot, muzzle-loading muskets or semi-automatic shotguns, the discussion is anchored in the law, as citizens always coming back to individual liberties, directing individuals’ attention to their rights and responsibilities.
Upon reflection regarding civil society in my country, Poland, I see a need for such an organization to mobilize citizens. It has been only 25 years since the fall of communism and yet the turnout in general elections rarely reaches 50% of eligible voters, not to mention the low participation in NGOs or civic actions at both local and national levels. The quality of public debate is also poor. Is there any issue in my country so contentious that it would spark permanent civic involvement throughout the country? Is there any organization with, at least in theory, comparable potential outreach? Unfortunately, I do not think so.
Would I be willing to pay the price that Americans do to have such an organization? In addition to violent crime, there comes the knowledge that everyone around you can have a gun.
However strange it may sound to opponents of the NRA, I would be willing to pay this price for the benefit of democracy– so essential do I find civic participation.
Lech Marcinkowski, Advisor, Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland, is a 2014 Marshall Memorial Fellow
If you’re a firearms owner, or 2nd Amendment enthusiast but do not belong to the NRA, please join. The Iowa Firearms Coalition is offering $10 off annual memberships. Becoming a member means you’ll be joining millions of Americans in our nation’s largest, most powerful 2nd Amendment advocacy group. Short of voting (which you should be doing already), this is one of the best ways to help defend our 2nd Amendment rights.
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