Republicans given a clear shot

A funny thing happened on the way to the White House.

During the Democratic primary debate, Hillary Clinton and Martin O’Malley got into an argument over who had been a worse enemy to the NRA.

They proudly declared that they did not support the right that ensured our citizens would not be governed at the end of a sword.

The Second Amendment group with over 5 million dues-paying members was given a clear signal that a Democrat administration would not be willing to work with them.  

As soon as it became clear that Donald Trump would be the pro-gun alternative, the NRA and their PAC upped their ante on the presidential race.  They hired two full-time staff in Iowa alone to turn out the vote for Trump.

While other National Republicans were offering half-hearted praise and endorsements, the NRA went to work. They made thousands of voter contacts at doorsteps and on the phone.

Their local partner, the Iowa Firearms Coalition, established a PAC to target the Iowa Senate. Their comprehensive field program was very successful.

In November, Iowans were blessed with new hope at both the state and federal level.

President-elect Trump made it to the White House owing very few favors to stakeholders, donors and politicians.  One favor he does owe is to Chris Cox and the NRA-Political Victory Fund.

The NRA is pushing for a national concealed carry reciprocity act during this session of Congress. This would mean a concealed carry permit in any state would be like a driver’s license and honored in every other state.

The Naked Cowboy in New York’s Times Square might not wear pants, but he could wear six-shooters as long as he had a permit to do so in any state.

The Iowa Firearms Coalition is pushing an aggressive agenda in Des Moines.

Currently, the list of folks that have a concealed carry permit is public information. A bill to make it private was shut down administratively by the Democratic-controlled Senate last year after nearly unanimously passing in the state House.

A bill to allow youth instruction of handguns will happen very early in the session.  

Iowa will also begin the process of getting off the list of six states that have no right to keep and bear arms in their constitution. To change the Iowa constitution, the state legislature must pass by majority an amendment in two legislative sessions two years apart.

Assuming the legislature passes the same amendment in 2017 and 2019, it will go onto the ballot in 2020, where we will all get to vote on it.

At that point, if over 50 percent of the people support the amendment, the right that secures all others will be enshrined in our constitution.

Trump pledged to Make America Great Again.

It’s coming fast.

Iowa and the U.S. are about to get a lot better.

John Thompson, of Jefferson, serves on the State Central Committee for the Republican Party of Iowa.