At a recent Second Amendment event, I opted to open carry my Glock 19 in a kydex holster with the Gadsden Flag on it. 

The whole "Don't Tread On Me" thing speaks to the very soul of a lot of Second Amendment folks, and for good reason. We really just want to be left alone, to live our lives in peace, but if someone decides to "tread" on us, be they criminal or tyrant, then we'll strike in return.

And considering some people see the flag as a sign of extremism is just their own problem.

Especially since it might just become a very common thing to see on Iowa's roads.

Iowans could buy custom yellow "Don't Tread on Me" license plates under a bill that passed the Iowa House Wednesday.

The Iowa House voted 60-34 to pass House File 2639, which allows the Iowa Department of Transportation to issue custom Iowa license plates with the "Gadsden Flag," which was designed during the Revolutionary War in 1775 by Christopher Gadsden and was used by the Continental Marines.

The yellow flag depicts a coiled timber rattlesnake above the phrase "Don't Tread on Me."

The flag and its slogan are associated with individual liberty, limited government and gun rights. In recent years it has been a mainstay at conservative rallies and protests.

Now, that's cool and all, but since the plate is going to come with an extra $50 charge per year for having the plate, cool might not be a good enough reason for a lot of people.

It would probably work for me, but I can't speak for everyone, especially since I don't live in Iowa.

The money from the fees would go to the Department of Public Safety, which would distribute it as grants to nonprofits to provide training on "the right to keep and bear arms." The department would have to give first preference for the grants to "any official state association of the National Rifle Association and similar nonprofit organizations."

The Iowa Firearms Coalition is the NRA-sanctioned state organization in Iowa.

An amendment proposed by Democrats would have the funds go elsewhere, including LGBTQ advocacy groups, the NAACP, unions, and pretty much any other group known for voting Democrat.

Ironically.

The bill going toward gun rights education is a good thing. However, I wouldn't get my hopes up. A similar bill was introduced last year and went absolutely nowhere. There's not really a lot of reason to think this one will go anywhere, either.

It's a shame, too, because I'd love to see Gadsden flags on license plates when I'm driving down the interstate sometime. I think it would be great, especially if it funds gun rights educations or youth shooting programs--the latter my own personal preference for where funds would go.

However, the meltdown Iowa anti-gunners are having over the bill is really worth the price of admission.

If it happens, though, it might be enough to make me consider relocating to Iowa, just for the snazzy license plate if nothing else.

Maybe some other states will latch onto the idea, even if Iowa doesn't.