Iowa Gun Shows, June 2014

June 20-22, Iowa State Fairgrounds at Des Moines

June 27-29, Westfair at Council Bluffs 

*** I get this list from the link below and other searches and I can't guarantee the accuracy of the list. If anyone notices a show that needs to be corrected or added, please let me know in the comments.

For more details go to Iowa Gun Shows

Guns at the statehouse? Oh my!

Brad Zaun does it.

Some don't like it:

Carlos Jayne and his one-man-band, "It would be absolutely wrong to bring weapons into legislative bodies," Jayne said. "It would be almost like open season on public officials. It would be almost encouraging it. Man, that would be terrible."

Others think it's okay but within reason, like having permission from the state:

Rep. Clel Baudler, R-Greenfield said he too sees no problem with the public carrying firearms at the Capitol as long as they are trained, have a permit and have no history of crime or drug abuse.

Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, "If they are in compliance with other state laws and regulations, I would have no problem with it."

Thanks for the "qualified permission" guys.

Clel Baudler - bringing Chicago politics to Des Moines

Regarding the guns at the statehouse by our elected officials.

“That’s a rumor, and it’s a good rumor because it keeps the lobby at bay, it keeps you reporters away from me. It’s a great rumor.” — Rep. Clel Baudler, R-Greenfield, a former state trooper responding to a reporter’s question Friday whether he is among the state legislators who have carried a gun into the state Capitol for personal protection.

We have a state legislator intimidating others by using an implied threat against reporters and lobbyists at the same time avoiding the question.

Governor Branstad demands equality

He remarks that he wants "everyone treated the same" regarding legislators bringing guns in the statehouse. The inference is that legislators should be leaving their weapons at home instead of protecting themselves. But since common, ordinary citizens are restricted from bringing weapons there, who are they protecting themselves from?

Here's a thought: Why isn't the governor demanding citizens the same rights as the legislators?

The governor has his own protection detail of state troopers (something even high-horse legislators don't have). But according to the article:

The state administrative code, which does not exempt the Legislature or its staff, bars any member of the public from carrying a dangerous weapon in the Capitol complex buildings.

Can elected state officials exempt themselves from the law?

Iowa Gun Shows, May 2014

May 16-18, Sioux City, Convention Center

May 23-25, Mt. Pleasant, Old Threshers Park

May 30-June 1, Cedar Rapids, Hawkeye Downs

*** I get this list from the link below and other searches and I can't guarantee the accuracy of the list. If anyone notices a show that needs to be corrected or added, please let me know in the comments.

For more details go to Iowa Gun Shows

Iowa Gun Shows, April 2014

April 5-6, Wilton Community Center, Wilton

April 11-13, Iowa State Fairgrounds at Des Moines

April 25-27, Westfair at Council Bluffs 

*** I get this list from the link below and other searches and I can't guarantee the accuracy of the list. If anyone notices a show that needs to be corrected or added, please let me know in the comments.

For more details go to Iowa Gun Shows
 

The legislative session is a bust

The Iowa Statehouse - Where legislation goes to die

Nothing substantial has come from Des Moines this session, not that many had very high hopes of any action this time around.

For instance, HF 2116 (a bill protecting private information) passed subcommittee and then withdrawn a couple of weeks later.

Or how about HF2012 (lowering the acceptable age for handgun handling)? Passed subcommittee and promptly went nowhere.

Despite some procedural wrangling on Constitutional Carry that also went nowhere, we so-far note a lack of pro-freedom legislation from the statehouse.

The Science is Settled!

Because some politician says so.

Like a traveling snake-oil salesman, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse from Rhode Island (Democrat - what else) came to Des Moines to lecture Iowans on what is the most important issue, first and foremost, forever and ever, amen: "climate change."

“I want to work with you to make sure Iowa is sending a strong message to every single presidential candidate that shows their face here: If you’re going to be credible in Iowa, you’ve got to be credible on climate change,” said Whitehouse, who received a round of applause from the more than 100 lawmakers and Iowans in attendance at his Statehouse discussion.

"Credible" - good one there, senator. More likely 100 gullible sycophants willing to lap up anything the guy said. Whitehouse must be an expert since he's a senator from a big important state from the East.

Attributed as saying, "climate change is an unquestionable fact" he must not be reading anything posted by Borepatch to the contrary. After that, he listed doomsday scenarios that have will kill us all, like blown tires because the temperature raised one-tenth of a degree in 10 centuries.

Nah, just the usual "oceans will rise", "big companies are liars", "you ordinary citizens are too stupid to understand" and "skeptics should be excommunicated, jailed or flogged."

Okay, maybe that wasn't clearly stated in the article, but seriously, go read Borepatch. He's compiled more rebuttals that deserve to be read.

Keep wasting time on climate change Dems, maybe a few gullible folks will buy into it.

Senator Whitehouse in Des Moines:

"It's all man's fault. And Republicans. And big business. It's propaganda to deny this!"

JPFO is recommending all gun owners in Illinois leave the state

JPFO has information on an proposed bill in the Illinois statehouse, HB4715. A registration scheme for every firearm in the state. This would be more draconian than Connecticut or New York.

Go to the JPFO alert, Illinois Attacks Freedom! Every Gun Maker & Gun Owner Should Leave Illinois Now!

Hi$ Spring Sportsman's Auction, March 1 and 2, 2014

Hi$ Auction has their spring semi-annual auction this coming weekend.

I'll try to get there, but if you can't, they do have a Proxybid option.

Iowa Gun Shows, March 2014

Feb 28-March 2, Keokuk County Expo Fairgrounds at Sigourney

Feb 28-March 2, McGregory Landing at McGregor

Feb 28-March 2, Cass County Fairgrounds at Atlantic

Feb 28-March 2, 5 Brothers Center, Waterloo

March 1-2, Greene County Fairgrounds at Jefferson

March 1-2, North Iowa Events Center at Mason City

March 7-9, Central Iowa Fairgrounds at Marshalltown

March 14-16, Iowa State Fairgrounds at Des Moines

March 21-23, Hawkeye Downs at Cedar Rapids

March 22-23, Adair County Fairgrounds at Greenfield

March 22-23, Spirit Lake Expo, Spirit Lake 

A busy month for gun shows and a chance to get to at least one of them.


*** I get this list from the link below and other searches and I can't guarantee the accuracy of the list. If anyone notices a show that needs to be corrected or added, please let me know in the comments.

For more details go to Iowa Gun Shows

Gov. Branstad stands up to US Attorney General

Iowa Governor, Terry Branstad, stood up to US Attorney General Eric Holder yesterday over Holder's comments regarding his opinion that felons should be able to vote after they serve their sentence. (No word about his concern that felons should be able to have their 2nd Amendment rights restored after they serve their sentences.) The money quote:

“I’m disappointed that the attorney general of the United States who also was involved in that ‘Fast and Furious’ project to give guns to drug smugglers in Mexico would criticize Iowa without even knowing the Iowa Constitution,”

In other words: "Stick it."

I'm curious that Branstad would use that dig against the AG. While viewing this report on the TV they hoisted a typical barb from the Iowa Democrat party: whining about the drive to require IDs to vote. (No word about the requirement to provide an ID in order to purchase a firearm from a dealer.)

Democrats always provide the best hypocrisy.

Legislative update, prohibiting personal information disclosure

HF2116 is working its way through committee - "An Act prohibiting the disclosure of personal information except under specified circumstances and providing penalties."

First reading is that this law would apply to counties who have been providing gun permit information to local news agencies. As expected, the Iowa Newspaper Association is against this, coupled with the Attorney Generals' office and the School Administrators of Iowa.

It provides penalties for data breaches, and requires agencies to notify Iowans if they disclose information and get permission.

There's some positive sections in this bill and requires some further research.

Legislative update, Lowering the age of handgun possession

HF2012 passed the House Public Safety subcommittee on January 30. This bill lowers the age to 12 from 14 for a youth to possess a handgun without adult supervision.

Current law would penalize parents if a child under 14 has access or is in possession of an unsecured pistol or revolver. This would lower that age to under 12. There may have been cases where parents were charged without an incident occurring, typically this law has been used to charge parents after a tragedy has already taken place.

Although the Iowa Police Association is for it, those Methodist are firmly against it.

New legislation for our Illinois neighbors

IL State Rep. Kelly Cassidy introduces a gun registration Act: HB4715 aka the Firearms Registration Act

Provides that every person in the State must register each firearm he or she owns or possesses in accordance with the Act. Provides that a person shall not purchase or possess ammunition within this State without having first obtained a registration certificate identifying a firearm that is suitable for use with that ammunition, or a receipt demonstrating that the person has applied to register a suitable firearm under the Act and that the application is pending.

Thanks to Kurt Hofmann for the heads up.

The Hoplophobic Iowa Methodists

While reviewing HF2012 I looked up the lobbyists declarations and counted a half dozen "Against" declarations from people representing the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Currently children 14 and under must be under supervision of someone at least 21 years old while in possession of a pistol or revolver, or ammunition that can be used in a pistol or revolver. HF 2012 would lower the age to 12.

Apparently the Methodists don't care for that.

I think it would be best if the parents decided what age is appropriate but I think the motivation behind this legislation is to reduce prosecutions if a 14 year old kid is in their home alone and a handgun is somewhere in the house.

What is the motivations behind the Methodists?

In their 2013 Book of Resolutions the conference thinks a good idea to reinstate the so-called "Assault Weapon Ban".  

9337 Reinstate Ban of Assault Weapons(1995, 2005)

WHEREAS: The ban on assault weapons has expired;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Iowa Annual Conference calls upon the United States Congress to reinstate the ban on the sale of assault weapons and not to weaken or overturn the Brady Gun Control Law.

REVIEW BY: Board of Church and Society

 And they are against private sales of firearms by supporting getting rid of the misnamed "Gun Show Loophole"

9336. Gun Show Loophole(2003)

WHEREAS: A loophole in federal law allows firearm transfers between unlicensed individuals without a background check or record of sales (secondary sales), and 30-40% offirearm sales are estimated to take place at secondary markets, andWHEREAS: The majority of secondary sales occur at gun shows, allowing persons in prohibited categories to purchase guns without a background check or record of sale; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Iowa Annual Conference urges the Iowa

General Assembly to support the following requirements: 

a) that firearm sales between unlicensed individuals at gun shows be conducted through a federally licensed gun dealer to meet all federal and state laws, i.e., background check and sale recorded on federal form 4473; 

b) that the gun show promoter shall provide one or more federally - licensed gun dealers to conduct said background checks on the premises;

c) that these requirements shall apply to any part of the transaction taking place at a gun show. (It shall be illegal for someone to make an offer to purchase a firearm from an unlicensed individual, then take possession off - site); and

d) that violators are committing an aggravated misdemeanor.

REVIEW BY: Board of Church and Society

Am I incorrect in the assumption that tax-exempt organizations aren't supposed to be involved in political activity lest they lose such status?

Gun giveaway brings out all the best hoplophobes

Iowa Gun Owners is having a gun giveaway and the vocabulary of the hoplophobes includes: "appalling", "irresponsible", and “We’re not in the Old West anymore. This is supposed to be a civilized country.” - Rep. Sharon Steckman, D-Mason City. The Des Moines Register has it all.

Not to be outdone, a talking mutton from the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence ignored the part in the announcement about obeying all gun laws, and lamented about the poor "child" who might win an AR-15: “Children clearly do not have the maturity necessary to handle rifles designed for use on the battlefield; and this type of flip, macho attitude about gun ownership is exactly how accidents happen,” [Ladd] Everitt said. Read the IGO announcement.

Since the giveaway can only go to a person that passes a background check, nobody under the age of 18 in Iowa would be able to receive the rifle. I guess that means the United States is sending "children" to the battlefield where they would actually handle fully automatic rifles, instead of the semi-automatics that are only allowed to be possessed in the state by mere citizens here in Iowa.

Good thing we have misinformed spokespeople from Washington, D.C. to straighten us out. We don't need them when we have nanny-state representatives at the statehouse.

Iowa Gun Shows, February 2014

Jan 31-Feb 2 Cedar Rapids, Hawkeye Downs

Feb 7-9 Ottumwa, Bridgeview Center 

Feb 14-15 Del Moines, Adventureland Park

Feb 15-16 Arcadia, American Legion Hall (Thanks Chaplain Tim)

Feb 28 - Mar 2 Atlantic, Cass County Fairgrounds

Feb 28-Mar 2 McGregor, McGregor Landing

*** I get this list from the link below and other searches and I can't guarantee the accuracy of the list. If anyone notices a show that needs to be corrected or added, please let me know in the comments.

For more details go to Iowa Gun Shows

  Coming up is the Marshalltown show at the Central Iowa Fairgrounds, March 7 - 9 (Maybe we will have a table this year)

Johnson County Sheriff and his false statements on Iowa gun laws

Johnson County Sheriff, Lonnie Pulkabrek, issued a blatantly false statement during a "gun violence panel."

 “There are people who are or do have lengthy criminal records that are coming in and filling out the paperwork and getting permits to get firearms, and the sheriff does not have discretion in Iowa anymore to deny those, other than a couple examples … (and) that includes sex offenders,” Pulkrabek said, citing Iowa’s shall-issue law, which went into effect in 2011.

That's bull and he knows it.

A "lengthy criminal history" absolutely prevents a person from getting a carry permit in the state.  Unless you define habitual speeding as a crime so heinous that it would prevent a person from getting a permit. The reporter just parroted the false impression that it's so easy for criminals to get carry permits but no word that the applicant has to pass a NICS check.

The carry law now prevents the discretion that county sheriffs used to enjoy which led to all sorts of political favoritism. Having the discretion taken away from Sheriff Pulkabrek chaps his hide. That and not enough training for private citizens.

Not one person on the panel of "experts" to speak about the defensive uses of firearms, so it's probably not a place one would find solutions. Unless the solution is to make it more difficult to obtain firearms or the end-game of taking yours away from you.

If this study is true, then nearly all firearm owners should be dead by now

Another study that suggests you are more likely to be a victim of violence if you own firearms than if you don't have a gun in the home.

With no opportunity to have a control group, these kind of studies have no significance other than to provide academics a chance for grant money.

But don't compare the stated 31,000 firearm deaths per year with the number of accidental deaths due to medical errors (225,000).

Or the higher suicide rates in gun-banning Japan.

Or the benefits of firearm ownership.

But do state: "The researchers say restricting access may effectively prevent injury." But don't add that tools used in some of those injuries would statically be switched to knives, clubs, baseball bats, cars, etc.

Silencers (and more) for Iowans

Legislation from last year has been updated and introduced into the Iowa House Judiciary subcommittee. Adding silencers to the definition of  "offensive weapons" here in Iowa.

HF 384 defines offensive weapons as: machine guns, short barreled rifles and shotguns and now silencers\noise suppressors.

From the bill: 

724.2 Authority to possess offensive weapons.

All of the following are authorized to possess offensive weapons:  

1. The following persons or entities when the duties or lawful activities of the person or entity require or permit such possession:

            a. Any peace officer.

b. Any member of the armed forces of the United States or of the national guard.

c. Any person in the service of the United States.

d. A correctional officer, serving in an institution under the authority of the Iowa department of corrections.

e. Any person who, under the laws of this state and the United States, is lawfully engaged in the business of supplying those authorized to possess such devices.

f. Any person, firm, or corporation who under the laws of this state and the United States is lawfully engaged in the improvement, invention, or manufacture of firearms.

g. Any museum or similar place which possesses, solely as relics, offensive weapons which are rendered permanently unfit for use.

2. The following persons who possess an offensive weapon which is a curio or relic firearm under the federal Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. ch. 44 and the federal National Firearms Act of 1934, 26 U.S.C. ch. 53:

a. A resident of this state, if the offensive weapon has been permanently rendered unfit for the firing of live ammunition. The offensive weapon may, however, be adapted for the firing of blank ammunition.

b. A nonresident, if the offensive weapon is legally possessed by the person in the person’s state of residence and the offensive weapon is at all times while in this state rendered incapable of firing live ammunition. A nonresident who possesses an offensive weapon under this paragraph while in this state shall not have in the person’s possession live ammunition. The offensive weapon may, however, be adapted for the firing of blank ammunition.

3. A person who possesses a device described in section 724.1, subsection 8, or a machine gun, short-barreled rifle, or short-barreled shotgun, as those terms are defined in section 724.1, in compliance with the federal Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. ch. 44 and the federal National Firearms Act of 1934, 26 U.S.C. ch. 53. 

The way I read this, is that it removes state restrictions and defers to federal laws. 

More bills have been introduced and we will be keeping a eye on the golden-domed cesspool in Des Moines. 

Red light cameras around Iowa

Iowa Red Light Traffic Camera map

If the premise is about safety, wouldn't it make better sense to put them closer to schools and parks where children play.

One in Cedar Rapids is 5 blocks from a junior high for traffic driving away from the school.

At a $100 a pop in CR, it's hard to think it's anything but revenue.

Iowa Gun shows, January 2014

Somewhere to go almost every weekend and lots of choices.

Jan 3-5 Cedar Rapids, Hawkeye Downs

Jan 4-5 Harlan, Veterans Auditorium  

Jan 10-12 Des Moines, Adventure Land Amusement Park, Palace Theater

Jan 24-26 Des Moines, Iowa State Fairgrounds

Jan 25-26 Dubuque, Grand River Center

Jan 25-26 Odebolt, Odebolt Community Center

Jan 31-Feb 2 Cedar Rapids, Hawkeye Downs  

*** I get this list from the link below and other searches and I can't guarantee the accuracy of the list. If anyone notices a show that needs to be corrected or added, please let me know in the comments.

For more details go to Iowa Gun Shows