My attorney advised me not to utter a peep about it until after the case was wrapped up.
He told me what I knew all along. That the trumped-up “ethics charges” I was being hit with by Iowa Public Safety Committee Chairman, Clel Baudler — an outspoken opponent of Constitutional Carry — was payback . . .
Payback for our success in FORCING the General Assembly to pass Stand-Your-Ground and much more during the 2017 legislative session.
You see, just days ago, the case wrapped up. I was unanimously cleared of all charges by the Iowa House’s Ethics Committee.
But anti-gun legislators — still FURIOUS at Iowa Gun Owners’ members and supporters for forcing them to deliver on their promises — all but assured me they weren’t done with me yet.
That’s why I’m counting on your IMMEDIATE input and hope that you will fill out and submit your Legal Directive.
More on that below.
As you’ll see, this Directive advises me on how to proceed in the face of new legal attacks, as I prepare for the next session of the Iowa General Assembly.
The truth is, gun-grabbers have had their sights set on completely taking Iowa over for years now. Iowa was supposed to be the next “feather in their cap.”
Now that you and I have succeeded in passing Stand-Your-Ground and are turning our sights to Constitutional Carry, they’re more incensed than ever.
I have to admit, I wasn’t prepared for some of the ugliness I was personally threatened with last session.
In fact, after Iowa Gun Owners publicly explained the Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Association’s (ISSDA) long history of supporting gun control measures, I received a very threatening communication from the Appanoose County Sheriff stating he would “start a campaign [to attack IGO] with a multitude of organizations.”
I’m afraid the “ethics charges” I was hit with was just a taste of what’s in store.
It doesn’t matter that I’ve done nothing wrong. Iowa Gun Owners has always played by the rules, after all.
We’re coming under attack because we’re winning.
The truth is, this kind of nastiness is a big reason why many good people won’t get involved in politics today.
Even dealing with this one case (which, as I mentioned, was unanimously decided in our favor) was a massive time suck for Iowa Gun Owners.
It cost thousands in legal fees — money that should have gone to battling for our gun rights.
Without BILLIONAIRE Michael Bloomberg’s tens of millions sitting around in the bank, even relatively small cases like this can put the squeeze on Iowa Gun Owners’ operations.
Truthfully, I believe that’s exactly what these legal assaults are all about.
They’re about crippling us to ensure that when the next session rolls around, we’re all but stripped of our ability to mobilize and pressure the General Assembly for Constitutional Carry — the gun-grabbers’ biggest fear.
As you know, if passed, Constitutional Carry would simply restore the right of law-abiding Iowans to carry a concealed firearm WITHOUT going through a bunch of bureaucratic rigmarole or paying expensive fees.
After gun owners flexed our muscles last session and finally passed Stand-Your-Ground through the General Assembly, they’re looking for every way possible to stop you and me.
That’s why I’m counting on your advice.
The next time a legal assault lands on my doorstep, which of the follow three options should I pursue?
OPTION #1: Should I just ignore the assaults, stick my head in the sand, and trust that — because I’ve done nothing wrong — I’ll have nothing to worry about?
If I do so, I’m worried this could make Iowa Gun Owners a sitting duck for slick anti-gun attorneys!
OPTION #2: Should I focus solely on beating back all legal assaults Iowa Gun Owners comes under and cut back on our legislative programs?
If I do so, that will effectively KILL all momentum from our passage of Stand-Your-Ground, spell death for Constitutional Carry, and give the gun-grabbers a head of steam going into 2018.
OPTION #3: Should I just fight back everywhere by standing strong against their legal assaults while keeping Iowa Gun Owners’ legislative programs running at full blast?
Truthfully, I don’t have the money in the bank to do so — not after everything we accomplished during the last legislative session.
While this is the option I most want to pursue, it’s little more than a pipedream without your support.
Please give me your advice, right away!
As I’ve told you many times, Iowa Gun Owners isn’t “my” organization.
It’s yours.
Your petitions, phone calls, emails and generosity are what make Iowa Gun Owners “tick.”
It’s what makes state legislators stand up and take notice — even when they don’t want to — because they know that crossing our committed and engaged supporters could mean political suicide.
So I can’t make the decision I’m faced with today alone.
It’s a decision Iowa Gun Owners’ members and supporters have to make.
I know that’s likely a big stretch.
But if the money isn’t there, than Iowa Gun Owners will be a sitting duck for the gun-grabbers in BOTH parties and their slick lawyers.
Of course, if $100 is just too much, please agree to $50 or at least $25.
And please respond quickly.
I’m worried another legal assault is already in the works.
For Freedom,
P.S. I’ve already been hit with one legal attack this summer, after you and I successfully passed Stand-Your-Ground.
Even dealing with this one case (which, as I mentioned, was unanimously decided in our favor) was a massive time suck for Iowa Gun Owners and cost thousands of dollars.
Now, I’m worried more attacks are in the works.
Thank you, in advance, for your input.