USA – -(Ammoland.com)- My fellow Iowans, I have unexpected and bad news to report.
A short time ago, I learned that all progress to add your Right to Keep and Bear Arms to the Iowa Constitution appears to have been undone. Amending the Iowa Constitution is an extremely long and challenging task. The process to do this is laid out in Article 10 of the state constitution and among those requirements is a mandate for public notification.
Less than 48 hours ago, I learned that last year Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate’s office failed to uphold their duty for legal publication of our constitutional amendment. In matters such as ours, the constitution requires a public notification for a minimum of 3 months prior to the election of a new General Assembly of the Iowa legislature. This responsibility rests with the Iowa Secretary of State’s office and it is with extreme frustration that I must report this constitutionally mandated requirement was not fulfilled.
Because of this failure, last year’s vote and all of our work leading up to an amendmet saying the people of Iowa have a Right to Keep and Bear Arms in this state appears to have been undone.
In summary:
When you try to amend the state constitution there several requirements that must be met. Including a formal public notification. The Secretary of State’s office is responsible for this notification. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate failed to meet this requirement, and as a result, it appears that last year’s vote and all of our work has been wiped away. Because of the Secretary of State’s complete failure, we must now go back to square one of the constitutional amendment process.
Make no mistake; there are a lot, A LOT of people in Des Moines right now who do not want to see this made public. Not right now. Not like this. But I believe firmly in transparency and honesty in leadership. There are a tremendous number of you who are reading this who’ve sacrificed your time and your money, pouring yourselves and your resources into this endeavor. We’ve worked for years to put the pieces in place to make this amendment happen. Knowing all of that has been undone due to a technicality and an elected official’s failure to act makes me sick and that is why I’ve chosen to share this information as soon as possible.
Each of you reading this has been wronged, and you deserve to be made aware of it. Those of you who’ve contributed to our efforts deserve a public apology from the Secretary of State.
Earlier this evening Secretary Pate contacted me to offer his most sincere apologies and accept full responsibility while also reiterating his personal support for this amendment. The Secretary of State’s office is reviewing all legal means to potentially right this ship, but options appear to be limited. IFC is conducting its own independent review. IFC has made our frustration and disappointment abundantly clear to the Secretary of State’s office and requested a public apology be made to IFC members.
To be clear, I bear some responsibility in all of this. I failed to check to see that the Secretary of State completed his legally required responsibility. This fact is particularly tough to swallow as Paul Pate has stood alongside us, speaking directly to IFC members proclaiming his support for our cause, claiming to be “right there with you making sure that your voice is heard.” With those words and actions in mind, I took for granted that the simple task of publishing our amendment would get done and failed to provide the necessary oversight. For that, I apologize.
I believe it’s critically important that you hear this message straight from us. The Iowa Firearms Coalition proudly claims the mantle of Iowa’s leading Second Amendment advocacy group. We work extremely hard to do things the right way.
Other groups, other gun owners talk a big game, but IFC leads (our list of pro-gun owner victories bears this out). IFC members are the first to hear this news, and by breaking this story, we’ve shown ourselves once again to be the leaders on all things 2A related in Iowa. Whether it’s good news and cause for celebration or bad news about a monumental setback you deserve honest and timely communication about what’s going on and that’s what we provide.
With that established it is vital that you recognize a few critical facts as we move forward.
First, the need for an RKBA amendment remains. This apparent setback does not change the fact that there is nothing in the Iowa Constitution saying the People of Iowa have a Right to Keep and Bear Arms in this state. IFC will fight to enshrine your rights in the state constitution in the weeks, months, and years to come, for a long as it takes, regardless of any setback or false start. What we’re trying to accomplish will have an impact on Iowans not just now but for generations to come. And it is for this reason that we must do this is the right way. We must go about our business such a manner that there cannot be a single doubt about our intentions or any reason to call into question the validity of our work.
In addition to this massive undertaking, the Iowa Firearms Coalition will once again be pushing an aggressive agenda during the 2019 legislative session. Expect to see bills addressing the permitting process and how and where you may carry in Iowa.
Every day, far too many Iowans – parents, workers, lawful citizens – risk felony charges merely because they crossed some imaginary line outside a school or workplace while choosing to carry protection for themselves and their loved ones legally. Expect to see these items addressed in 2019.
And as always plan to see plenty of drama and hand-wringing from our opposition.
In closing I’d like to reiterate, we’ve suffered what appears to be a significant setback. This undertaking and our cause in general, has always been a contentious matter. To have years of work negated by an elected official’s failure to perform his job has taken everyone by surprise. But let it be known the Iowa Firearms Coalition remains steadfast in our desire to enshrine your God-given, natural Right to Keep and Bear Arms in the Iowa Constitution and we will not waiver from our goal. What should have taken four years will now take longer. As frustrating as this is we cannot, and we will not stop. Our cause is too great to give up on.
At this point, if you’re still reading this and you’re upset and looking for something to do, this is what we need from you. Contact your legislator now and make sure they understand that Iowans want, need and deserve this RKBA Amendment. They didn’t screw this process up, but the fact of the matter is we need them to act on this matter. Please helps us drive home this fact.
I take a tremendous amount of pride in what we do and everything we have accomplished together. Thank you all for your support and commitment to our cause, both now and in the future.
Respectfully,
Kurt Liske
President, Iowa Firearms Coalition
About Iowa Firearms Coalition:
Iowa Firearms Coalition (IFC) 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.
Founded in 2010, the Iowa Firearms Coalition is a non-partisan, single issue, civil rights organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the Second Amendment rights of all Iowans.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please e-mail us at [email protected].
Iowa Firearms Coalition Inc.
PO Box 705
Ames, IA 50010-0705
For more information, visit their website.
Stabbed in the back.
IMO. I don’t think it was an oversight ! I think it was purposefully done .
That’s exactly what I was thinking as I read the story. And I was also thinking that the reason there is no RKBA clause in the Iowa Constitution is simply because that matter is very well covered in the US Constitution, which is superior to any State Constitution. And the US Constitution makes it very clear that no State shall have any provision in their State Constitutions that does not conform to the US Constitution. The US Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land, its that simple. No one has to get permission to KEep and Bear Arms from… Read more »
Don’t be so quick to absolve Mr. Pate in his failure. Every day you see other politicians (any elected official) switch sides to better position themselves or pander to a new voting block in hopes of re-election/staying in power. It is despicable and sadly carries no formal penalty beyond alienation of a former supporting body. I do not know the man nor his record. I’m simply stating facts for consideration.
Elected officials can be recalled- at which point they lose all retirement benefits and privileges. It’s the only accountability which has teeth.
It seems as if the SOS is a POS.
I have never declared myself any kind of political follower until GUN CONTROL became an issue. I never realized I was more GOP then Independent as I professed. I remain confused as to all the rhetoric about gun control, a wall for protecting the CITIZENS of the USA. To me, it seems like Common Sense. It is impossible to understand what comes from the mouths of those wanting gun control ‘THINKING'( Yes, I know. Are they thinking?) that will decrease crime! The same for a defense system, wall, maybe, to keep out gang members, terrorists and those that like freedom… Read more »
It was supposed to be public for three months prior to last November’s election, and no one noticed it wasn’t until now?
Yeah, the TRAITORS are going to make sure that obscure State law is adhered to, but ignore the SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND, which is the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Isn’t that just perfect ! Article Six of the Constitution, the Supremacy Clause, says that all laws must conform to the US Constitution or else they are NULL AND VOID from inception and no one has a duty to ENFORCE OR OBEY it. These people are paid off TRAITORS ! They need to be recalled, then charged with TREASON, and hung from their scrawny necks if found guilty.… Read more »
Time to implement 118 USC.
Well since every state, including Iowa continually violates the US constitution as well a their state constitutions, just tell them to ignore the mandate and make a public announcement. Use common core as the excuse since the amount of time “required” seems to be the issue. Say that using common core you still have a lot more time, (till the end of time) to make the announcement. See? Simple, problem solved.
It sounds like the SOS should be looking for a new job if he can’t even perform a simple filing task.
An apology from the Secretary is not needed. He needs to be removed from office.
will this comment be here tomorrow
and my comments are not printed and you still will not remember me
hey gov., why does this d-sucker still have a job?