By now you’ve likely heard about the growing scandal in Washington D.C.
The IRS just admitted that they were using the full power of their agency to target conservative political organizations in an attempt to shut them down or keep them from ever getting started.
Organizations similar to Iowa Gun Owners, or perhaps your local Tea Party organization, or a regional pro-life organization, have been targeted in a disgusting abuse of federal power.
The bottom line is that if you’re a conservative organization you’ve been under the microscope.
There is a lesson to be learned here for gun owners. More on that in a minute.
Since our first day, IGO has been opposed to any move to require gun owners in Iowa to register their firearms with the government.
This year, for example, we were loudly involved in mobilizing legions of gun owners to oppose HF164 – which would require that every firearm transfer in the state be run through the government first.
If you want to give your daughter a .38 as she moves into her first apartment – you would need to tell the government.
Want to loan a shotgun to a friend for opener day? That’s a transfer and you’d need government permission first.
Time to pass along that family heirloom to your grandson, to pass along a proud heritage of gun ownership? Not unless you have your “Mother-May-I” card.
If you would dare transfer a firearm without that government registration you would be facing a FELONY conviction (as aggravated misdemeanors in Iowa are considered felonies due to their two year jail sentence.)
We opposed this for many reasons.
But when it comes down to it, the main reason is simple: the government has no right to know who owns guns, what kind you own, how many you own, or where the guns go after the initial sale!
The anti-gunners in the Capitol mocked us, the media keeps asking what the big deal is, and even some normally pro-gun legislators didn’t seem to understand why this was so offensive.
“Take off your tinfoil hat,” or “You’re fear mongering” – they would say.
All that changed this week.
We are now in a political environment where the left-leaning government is using the power of the “machine” to attack, harass, and bully political opponents.
Donor lists, activist lists, coordinator lists – the Feds want it all.
How much more interested do you think they are about lists of gun owners?
That’s always been the ultimate goal of the gun-grabbers. They aren’t going to stop once they ban all “high cap” mags.
Sarah Brady isn’t going to suddenly call it ‘good enough’ when AR-15’s are banned. Obama and his thugs are not going to suddenly become satisfied when you can’t buy a gun from a private party.
Their long-term goal has always been clear: total gun confiscation.
And that starts with having a list of guns and gun owners.
After this week’s news, it’s now clear that this administration is willing to lie, break the rules, and use threats and intimidation to accomplish their political goals.
This is why it’s so vital that you and I oppose these measures at the state level.
This is why we need Constitutional Carry, the bill that IGO members have been fighting for for some time.
Constitutional Carry simply states that if you’re legally allowed to own a firearm you’re legally allowed to carry it for self-defense without needing to obtain government permission.
This is the law today in states like Vermont, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, and more. It’s no surprise that these are some of the safest states in the nation, too.
And it keeps your name from being placed on a government list!
While this year was a largely defensive year, next year we will resume the fight for Constitutional Carry and it’s vital that we show a large base of grassroots support for this simple legislation.
So please sign your petition supporting Constitutional Carry TODAY.
Your signed petition is your way of telling the legislature that you are sick of the attacks on our way of life, sick of the harassment, and sick of being treated like a second class citizen just for treasuring your God given rights.
More, it’s a clear message to the political class: support our gun rights or look for other work.
In 2010 two dozen anti-gun legislators were booted out of office after voting against Constitutional Carry, thanks, in part, to IGO members taking action.
In the 2012 primary elections, one of the most powerful members of the Iowa House lost his primary election to a pro-gun candidate who was tired of watching the incumbent representative just pay political lip service to his gun rights.
If we throw up our hands and give up, it’s over – but if we stand together now we’ll have a proud heritage of gun ownership left to pass along to our children and grandchildren.
Thanks, in advance, for your activism and support of the 2nd Amendment.
For Freedom,
Aaron Dorr
Executive Director
P.S. It’s now clear that President Obama’s administration is using the power of the Federal Government to stifle political opposition from conservative non-profits like Iowa Gun Owners. Using the IRS they demanded lists of Tea Party donors, coordinators and more.
How much more interested do you think they are about lists of guns and gun owners?
Constitutional Carry in Iowa is a solution, as it would allow you to carry a firearm for self-defense WITHOUT needing government permission first. Citizens is states like Arizona, Arkansas, Alaska, Wyoming and others already enjoy this freedom.
And it keeps your name from being placed on a government list!
While this year was a largely defensive year, next year we will resume the fight for Constitutional Carry and it is vital that we can show a large base of grassroots support for this simple legislation.
So please sign your petition supporting Constitutional Carry TODAY.
Thank you for your activism in defense of the 2nd Amendment here in Iowa.