IOWA – -(Ammoland.com)- We’ve seen a lot of out-of-state anti-gun groups attack the Omnibus Gun Bill this year, and while that should be no surprise, we’re now seeing this bill come under attack from a handful of all or nothing “pro-gun” Iowans.
To review here’s who we’ve been fighting all year-long:
- Everytown for Gun Safety.
- Moms Demand Action.
- The Center for American Progress.
- Americans for Responsible Solutions.
- Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
- And more.
They are all big money, national level gun control groups run by the likes of Michael Bloomberg, Gabby Giffords, the Brady Campaign as well as others. And they’re all united and actively working against Iowa’s Omnibus Gun Bill.
Now, these hardcore gun control zealots have a new friend and ally from right here in Iowa.
A group of self-purported “gun owners” from here in Iowa are actively campaigning against this bill, and the many vital improvements it would make to the lives and rights of Iowa’s gun owners. This group has a track record of killing pro gun bills, and they have never gotten a single piece of legislation signed into law.
What’s worse, they’ve adopted the gun-grabber’s model of using lies, half-truths, and deleting factual comments in order to keep well-meaning Second Amendment advocates confused and in the dark. Their behavior is shameful, and is once again doing more harm than good.
This group is now standing shoulder to shoulder with Bloomberg & Company’s lobbyists fighting to stop the Omnibus Gun Bill from making any progress. They may have different reasons, but these groups are now both united in the same anti-gun owner cause: killing the Omnibus Gun Bill and all the benefits it would bring to Iowans.
We all knew all along the anti-gunners would resort to tricks and deceit, but to see another self-proclaimed “pro-gun” group from here in Iowa join forces with them is a surprise to many. But for many of us who follow this issue closely this is no surprise at all because this isn’t the first time this has happened.
This same group actively lobbied against the Shall Issue concealed carry reforms we passed 5 years ago. If they had their way we’d still be holding out for a “perfect firearms bill” that never had a chance at passing. Had they been successful hundreds of thousands of Iowans would not be able enjoy the freedom to lawfully carry concealed weapons that we enjoy today. Instead of working to protect and enhance the Second Amendment rights of Iowans by any means possible, this group of gun owners would rather gamble everything on improbable, all or nothing, high stakes bills. This approach is almost always guaranteed to fail and their track record proves it. Not one single piece of pro-gun legislation they’ve sponsored has ever reached the Governor’s desk, let alone been signed into law.
Now they’re up to their same old tricks, working again in lock step with Bloomberg and Company, this time to kill Iowa’s Omnibus Gun Bill.
Very briefly let’s review everything these anti-gun owners are now working against:
1. Legalizing suppressors.
2. Creating new and streamlined training requirements for renewal Permit’s to Carry and moves the time between training from 5 years to 10 years.
3. Allowing for a renewal applicant to renew their permit under any of the current training requirements including shooting on a range if they so choose.
4. Establishing that a veteran with small arms training will never have to go through initial or renewal training to obtain their permit to carry.
5. Extending the window for qualifying training from the current 12 months now to 24 months. Meaning that if an applicant has had any qualifying training in the last 24 months that will qualify them for their new or renewal permit.
6. Creating a requirement for uniform permits throughout the state and establishes that all permits, carry and acquire, shall NOT be issued for a particular weapon nor can it contain any identifying information about the weapon including the make, model, serial number or any ammo used in the firearm. It also says applicants residence must not be listed on the permit and prohibits the inclusion of their social security number.
7. Extending the Permit to Acquire from a 1 year permit to a 5 year permit. This matches it up with the Permit to Carry which is also a 5 year permit.
8. Adding new language that if a permit is denied and it is later determined that it should not have been that the applicant can recoup reasonable attorney’s fees.
9. Removing the absurd ban on parents being able to teach their child proper handgun safety if the child is under the age of fourteen.
10. Establishing a statewide verification system for law enforcement to determine if a permit is valid. There is no new database, all permits are already on file with the state and have been for years. This system merely creates a process by which law enforcement can verify the validity of a Permit to Carry. This benefits you by preventing law enforcement from having to seize the your weapon if you unintentionally forget your permit.
11. Blocking the media from collecting the private information (name, date of birth, address, etc.) of Iowa’ permit holders. Current law allows for any member of the public to request to see all of your personal information on your permit application. Under the new provision if they make the request they will only be given a yes or no answer as to whether your permit is valid and the validity dates of such a permit. The person making the request must also give their name, contact information and the reason they are making the request. This information will be kept on file in the sheriff’s office and be accessible to those who wish to inquire if someone has been asking about their permit.
Anyone that opposes the Omnibus Gun Bill opposes all of these measures. Anyone that works against this bill is saying they are against family rights, improving Iowa’s Permit to Carry system, gun safety training for kids, stopping the mass media from publishing interactive maps to permit holders, veterans rights, legalizing suppressors and more.
It makes no difference what their reasons are, if anyone opposes the Omnibus Gun Bill they’re effectively saying they’re in favor of keeping things in Iowa the way they are. Whether it’s because they want to take away your rights, or because they’re too idealistic and waiting for the perfect bill, the end result is all the same. Iowans get nothing but more of the same.
Fortunately through our talks with multiple key legislators we’ve learned that all of these anti-gunners efforts have amounted to little than a bunch of hot air. As of right now the Omnibus Gun Bill still has the votes to pass, and we’re working overtime to keep it that way.
However, all of this highlights the fact that the lawmaking process is not pretty and it’s far from ideal. If you sit around waiting for our legislative system to create and pass a perfect pro-gun bill you’re going to be waiting until the end of time.
The Omnibus Gun Bill is not perfect, there’s a lot of things we’d like to see added. But what is most important is that this bill improves the Second Amendment rights of Iowans and it’s capable of being passed right now.
We cannot let the quest for perfection stand in the way of making vital improvements right now.
P.S – It’s unfortunate that in addition to having to square off with national anti-gun groups, we now find the Omnibus Gun Bill coming under attack from deceitful forces within our own camp. It’s almost unbelievable seeing misguided gun owners working with gun grabbers to kill this bill. But at the end of the day we’re committed 100% to protecting and enhancing the Second Amendment rights of Iowans, and that means we’ll take on anyone that seeks to block our efforts.
Whether you’re a billionaire nanny state 1%’er, or a crooked sleazy lobbyist who’s been caught bribing Iowa politicians, it makes no difference to us, we’ll continue to do what we do better than anyone else, and that’s protect and enhance the Second Amendment rights of all Iowans.
Iowa Firearms Coalition is an entirely volunteer, grassroots, Second Amendment advocacy group. Responsible for bringing uniformity to Iowa’s Concealed Weapons Permitting process, IFC’s members work to protect and enhance Second Amendment rights in Iowa. An affiliate of the National Rifle Association, the IFC actively seeks to foster and promote the shooting sports. Sign up for our email list for the latest on Second Amendment issues in Iowa. You can support our work by becoming a member, or making a donation.
About Iowa Firearms Coalition:
The mission of the Iowa Firearms Coalition is to be THE firearms rights organization in Iowa, representing Second Amendment concerns for all firearms owners in the state. We will staunchly defend the rights of hunters and sportsmen as well as the rights of all Iowans to defend themselves and their loved ones. We seek to partner with other like-minded organizations to increase our effectiveness in accomplishing these goals. Visit: www.iowafc.org
