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Stephen Ziegler is a Midwest-based outdoor writer, media host, and entrepreneur best known as the owner of DeLong Lures—America's oldest soft-plastic lure company—and the creator behind Rack Junkies. With over 500 published articles spanning white-tailed deer hunting, fishing, and wildlife policy, his work appears across major regional and national outdoor publications.

Beyond the page, Ziegler reaches millions of sportsmen each month through his digital media platforms and video content. A dedicated conservation advocate, he works closely with lawmakers and wildlife agencies to protect public land access, defend hunters' rights, and promote habitat management across the heartland.

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For Jason Burton, "The Maker", building is more than just a passing fad or current trend; it is a passion with the goal to create only the best. A functional, useable, and classically styled pistol where no detail is too small to be overlooked, resulting in a legacy that will be passed down from generation to generation. Heirloom Precision

JOIN IFC! Jonathan Jones is the Shooting Sports and Range Development Coordinator for the IA DNR. Since joining the department in 2024, he has served as the SCTP and SASP Iowa State Advisor, supporting youth shooting sports access and engagement opportunities. He also oversees the operation, improvement, and expansion of public ranges across the state of Iowa. Before relocating to Iowa, his wife's home state and where they decided to raise their twin children, Jonathan spent 18 years in the retail side of the firearms industry in California working in sales, as a buyer, and as an instructor. Through his work he brings a passion for firearm safety, a focus on education, and a dedication to expanding access to recreational shooting.

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Jessica Mauro, better known as "Full Metal Jessy", is a competitive shooter, fitness enthusiast, firearms advocate, and passionate voice for women in the shooting community. What began as an introduction to firearms during the COVID-19 pandemic quickly became a pursuit of excellence that transformed her life.

Mauro is a professional competitive pistol shooter and member of the Taran Tactical team. She has dedicated herself to mastering the technical, physical, and mental aspects of shooting, while also incorporating strength and fitness training to improve performance.

For Mauro, firearms are about far more than competition. She sees responsible gun ownership and proficiency as sources of confidence, self-reliance, preparedness, and peace. Her story is also deeply personal. After experiencing significant family loss, shooting provided a sense of purpose and direction during an exceptionally difficult period of her life.

Mauro has become a prominent advocate for bringing more women into firearms and shooting sports while challenging stereotypes about women, strength, femininity, and gun culture. She is equally passionate about fitness, personal growth, faith, and becoming the strongest and most capable version of herself. Whether she's on the range, in the gym, or speaking to an audience, Full Metal Jessy brings an unapologetic message: strength, competence, discipline, and confidence are worth pursuing.

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Growing up in Florida, Christian Grest began hunting with his father when he was just four or five years old, learning the importance of firearm safety and the Second Amendment from an early age. Right out of high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a shipboard radar and weapon systems technician and operator while also receiving small arms training as a member of the security team.

Following an honorable discharge in 2004, Christian moved to Ohio to pursue a career in electronics. Throughout this time, he maintained his passion for firearms, the outdoors, and Second Amendment advocacy. He spent much of his free time hunting whitetail deer and deepening his technical understanding of various firearm platforms—specifically the AR-15—which led him to complete an AR-15 maintenance and troubleshooting course under Dave Laubert of Defensive Creations.

In 2015, Christian relocated to North Carolina. Shortly after his father passed away in 2017, he stepped into content creation to share his knowledge and experience with a broader audience. Today, he runs an active YouTube channel, an Instagram page, and a weekly blog focused on firearms, gear, and outdoor pursuits.

Outside of firearms, Christian is a lifelong automotive enthusiast, having learned basic mechanics from his father, a Ford mechanic. He still owns his father's 1996 Ford F-150, complete with a 300 Straight-Six engine and a 5-speed transmission, and frequents off-road trails in his 2021 Ford Raptor. Christian is married with two adult daughters and a granddaughter.

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Chad Albrecht is a Master Gunsmith, Certified AR15 Armorer, and Technical Instructor. He founded School of the American Rifle in 2015 which specializes in the quintessential "American Rifle", the AR15. His passion is sharing his technical knowledge and experience so his students can maximize reliability and accuracy potential from their AR15.

Since founding School of the American Rifle, Chad has steadily built and expanded that reputation to become one of the most highly sought-after AR15 technical experts in the nation. To date, over 30,000 AR's have been serviced by Chad in his capacities as a Gunsmith and Technical Instructor.

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Bruce Deschamps is the Global Digital Marketing Lead at Sako Ltd (Beretta Holding Group), driving digital strategy and brand innovation for both SAKO and TIKKA brands. French by origin and based in Finnish Lapland, he bridges high-level corporate execution with an authentic outdoor lifestyle centered on hunting, archery, and more recently, long-range shooting.

Our conversation was jump-started by Bruce's thinkpiece on LinkedIn titled: "The Rise of the Educated Hunter"

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Zach Lahn is running to become Iowa's next governor. Zach and his chief opponent, Rob Sand, both joined IFC early on for our "Candidate Files," AKA the 2A Litmus Test, in which they responded to our four basic questions which are IFC's legislative priorities. Find Zach's HERE and Rob's HERE. Today IFC was able to set aside some time for a more intimate conversation and visit about many topics that fundamentally stem from the liberties protected by our founders.

Zach Lahn presents a platform centered on unwavering conviction and a rejection of establishment politics, positioning himself as a leader who answers only to God, his family, and the people of Iowa. Emphasizing his background as a father, farmer, and self-funded businessman, he pledges to protect what he deems the sanctity of life and traditional values. This includes a strict ban on gender-reassignment surgeries and the removal of political ideologies from classrooms, ensuring that schools remain focused on truth and discipline.

Central to his vision is the protection of Iowa's physical and economic sovereignty, particularly regarding land ownership and corporate overreach. He argues that Iowa land is a sacred inheritance rather than a commodity, proposing bans on foreign ownership and shell companies to ensure the soil remains in local hands. Furthermore, he vows to challenge the influence of "Big Ag" and "Big Pharma," aiming to break up monopolies and hold corporations accountable for their impact on independent farmers and the health of local families.

To ensure Iowa remains a "beacon" of safety and freedom, Zach Lahn focuses on aggressive public safety measures and pro-family economic policies. He calls for the ultimate penalty for fentanyl traffickers and a total rejection of foreign influences that harm the community. By rewarding marriage, supporting adoption, and reducing taxes for young families, he intends to build a state where the next generation can thrive. Alongside his wife, Annie, and their seven children, he is embarking on a statewide tour to engage directly with Iowans in the places where their local wisdom resides.

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Sam Schieuer is the owner of Schiwerks, a custom Cerakote and laser engraving shop based in northwest Iowa. Since founding Schiwerks in 2017, Sam has built a reputation for creating one-of-a-kind firearm finishes and laser-engraved designs for customers across the country. With more than 20 years of experience in painting and finishing, he combines craftsmanship, creativity, and attention to detail to produce durable, personalized firearms that are as functional as they are unique.

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Michael Sodini is the founder and CEO of Walk the Talk America, a nonprofit that brings the firearms community and mental health professionals together in pursuit of solutions that save lives. Since creating WTTA in 2018, Michael has become a sought after speaker, consultant, and advocate for reducing negative outcomes with firearms through education, compassion, and cultural change.

Before devoting himself full time to WTTA, Michael spent 27 years in the firearm industry as the president of Eagle Imports and co founder of Avidity Arms. His experience gave him a deep understanding of firearms culture and positioned him to create meaningful partnerships between manufacturers, retailers, clinicians, and community leaders.

Michael has been invited to share WTTA's mission at the Aspen Ideas Festival, the White House, and numerous research conferences. He has appeared in documentaries that highlight the intersection of mental health and firearms, and continues to engage audiences at both gun industry events and mental health symposiums. His approachable style and passion for dialogue have made him a trusted voice for change.

Through WTTA, Michael has led the development of free and anonymous mental health screenings, clinician training programs to help providers better understand gun culture, and outreach that reduces stigma around seeking help. At the heart of his leadership is the belief that progress begins with listening. By creating spaces for open conversation and mutual respect, he continues to guide WTTA in advancing solutions that bring people together and strengthen communities.