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Non-profit

Alliance for Gun Responsibility

Website:

gunresponsibility.org/%20
Location:

SEATTLE, WA
Tax ID:

47-2512998
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(4)

Budget (2017):

Revenue: $1,019,633
Expenses: $1,055,272
Assets: $170,991
Formation:

2013
CEO:

Renée Hopkins

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The Alliance for Gun Responsibility is an umbrella term for three left-of-center, anti-gun organizations in the state of Washington. 1 The Alliance is comprised of the political advocacy organization also named the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, a public charity arm called the Alliance for Gun Responsibility Foundation that assists in gun control implementation, and a political action committee called the Alliance for Gun Responsibility Victory Fund that endorses municipal, county, and state candidates who support gun control. 2 The Alliance was founded in 2013 by Renee Hopkins, who currently works as CEO. 3

The Alliance for Gun Responsibility has worked in Washington State to promote some of the strictest gun control initiatives in the country, including bans on semi-automatic weapons, bans on standard-capacity magazines, and regulations on private firearms transactions. 4

Advocacy Activity

The Alliance for Gun Responsibility promotes the adoption of extensive gun control measures across Washington, primarily using public opinion initiatives and legislative lobbying to promote gun control. 5

In 2014, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility organized the campaign in favor of Washington Initiative 594. 6 The initiative aimed to require background checks for all gun sales in the state, including sales by private sellers, expanding regulations across Washington. 7 The initiative passed in November of 2014. 8

In 2016, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility once again pushed for a ballot initiative to increase firearm regulations, supporting Initiative 1491. 9 The initiative sought to allow judges in Washington to bar individuals deemed a “danger” to themselves or others from owning firearms, solely at the request of law enforcement or family members. 10 Despite the fact that such measures have been criticized for posing violations to due process, the initiative passed in November of 2016. 11

In 2018, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility organized in support of Washington Initiative 1639, a sweeping initiative which would raise the minimum purchasing age for semiautomatic rifles to 21, institute enhanced background checks, create storage requirements for all firearms, and prohibit the sale of semi-automatic rifles to non-Washington residents. 12 The initiative passed in 2018, causing massive controversy and sparking a lawsuit over the initiative’s constitutionality. 13 In September of 2020, U.S. District Court of Western Washington Judge Ronald Leighton upheld the law, and the case is now being appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit as of October 2020. 14

In late 2019, the Alliance rolled out a sweeping legislative agenda, including efforts to expand “gun-free zones” in the state of Washington, ban magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, regulate ammunition sales, and implement a system for ammunition sellers to report large sales to the state government. 15 The Alliance also proposed entirely banning so-called “assault weapons.” 16

In addition to direct firearm sales regulations, the Alliance proposed mandatory safety training for all individuals seeking a concealed carry permit and suggested a measure that would encourage the Washington State Patrol to destroy confiscated guns instead of selling them. 17 The legislative agenda also included proposals to further restrict legal gun ownership, including banning firearm ownership for people convicted of drunk driving twice. 18

In 2020, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility supported two Washington bills which would ban standard-capacity magazines in the state of Washington, including one bill which introduced a new state tax to fund a firearms buy-back program in an effort to reduce legal gun ownership in the state. 19 A spokesman for the Alliance claimed that the tax was the group’s “response” to the failure of an earlier measure, accusing opponents of the earlier bill of filibustering to prevent it from being voted upon. 20

The Alliance for Gun Responsibility began to get involved in supporting gun control measures outside the state of Washington in 2020 as well. Montana Measure LR-130 aims to take away the authority of local governments to regulate concealed firearms in their jurisdictions outside of publicly-owned buildings in order to create uniform regulations across the state. 21 The Alliance for Gun Responsibility has poured thousands of dollars into opposing the measure through the “No on LR-130” campaign. 22

Candidate Endorsements

Aside from advocating directly for gun control measures, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility has also endorsed several left-of-center candidates for office in order to push a gun control agenda. In 2020, the Alliance supported Washington state Representative Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island) for office, running on a left-of-center platform including the expansion of gun control. 23

The Alliance for Gun Responsibility has also endorsed former state representative Beth Doglio to represent Washington’s 10th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. 24 Doglio is a left-wing candidate who has advocated for a single-payer healthcare system, strict regulations to prevent climate change, and increases to the minimum wage. 25 Doglio has been supported by a number of left-wing labor organizations, including chapters of the controversial Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the Washington State Labor Council, and the American Federation of Teachers-Washington. 26 Doglio has also received support from the left-wing Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, the Sierra Club, and U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Bernie Sanders (D-VT). 27

Funding and Partners

The Alliance for Gun Responsibility’s 2018 Annual Report stated that the Alliance received over $5 million in major donations, over $1 million in donations from individuals, and $165,000 in additional grant funding. 28 Compared to the Alliance’s 2016 report, the organization’s major donations more than doubled in 2018. This rapid increase can be attributed to Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and Seattle-based venture capitalist and consistent left-progressive activist Nick Hanauer donating $1 million each to the Alliance in order to get Initiative 1639 onto the Washington state ballot for the November 2018 election. 29

The Alliance has partnered with dozens of local and national left-progressive organizations such as Moms Demand Action on Gun Sense, March for Our Lives, and Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun control advocacy group founded by former Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg. The Alliance has also partnered with left-of-center organizations that are ostensibly unrelated to gun control initiatives, including Planned Parenthood, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the Faith Action Network. These organizations have either endorsed the Alliance’s efforts or partnered with the Alliance for different events to promote gun control. 30

Leadership

The Alliance for Gun Responsibility is led by officials with a history of left-of-center organizing. Renee Hopkins, CEO of the Alliance, previously worked as executive director of the Seattle Police Foundation (SPF). 31

Leesa Manion is the president of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. 32 Manion works as chief of staff to King County prosecuting attorney Dan Satterberg. 33 Other board members include Jaime Smith, communications director for Washington Governor Jay Inslee (D); Scott Wang, former leader of the left-of-center Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG); and Zach Silk, president of left-of-center blogging community Civic Ventures. 34

Several corporate officials also sit on the Alliance for Gun Responsibility’s board, including Uber public affairs manager Caleb Weaver and Amazon executive Steve Kessel. 35

References

  1. “About the Alliance for Gun Responsibility.” Alliance for Gun Responsibility. Accessed June 7, 2020. https://gunresponsibility.org/the-alliance/
  2. “About the Alliance for Gun Responsibility.” Alliance for Gun Responsibility. Accessed June 7, 2020. https://gunresponsibility.org/the-alliance/
  3. “Alliance for Gun Responsibility.” Ballotpedia. Accessed June 7, 2020. https://ballotpedia.org/Alliance_for_Gun_Responsibility
  4. Jensen, Austin. “Ban on ‘Assault Weapons’ Appears Unlikely This Year in WA Legislature.” KUOW, January 22, 2020. https://www.kuow.org/stories/ban-on-assault-weapons-appears-unlikely-this-year-in-wa-legislature.
  5. “About the Alliance for Gun Responsibility.” Alliance for Gun Responsibility. Accessed October 22, 2020. https://gunresponsibility.org/the-alliance/.
  6. “I-594.” Alliance for Gun Responsibility. Accessed October 22, 2020. https://gunresponsibility.org/i-594/.
  7. “I-594.” Alliance for Gun Responsibility. Accessed October 22, 2020. https://gunresponsibility.org/i-594/.
  8. “I-594.” Alliance for Gun Responsibility. Accessed October 22, 2020. https://gunresponsibility.org/i-594/.
  9. “I-1491.” Alliance for Gun Responsibility. Accessed October 22, 2020. https://gunresponsibility.org/1491-2/.
  10. “I-1491.” Alliance for Gun Responsibility. Accessed October 22, 2020. https://gunresponsibility.org/1491-2/.
  11. Vasilogambros, Matt. “Red Flag Laws Spur Debate Over Due Process.” The Pew Charitable Trusts, September 4, 2019. https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2019/09/04/red-flag-laws-spur-debate-over-due-process.
  12. Sokol, Chad. “Voters Consider Concealed Carry Ballot Measure; Referendum Concerns School Officials.” Daily Inter Lake, October 18, 2020. https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2020/oct/18/concealed-carry-ballot-measure-concerns-school-off/.
  13. Staff. “Federal Judge Upholds Washington State’s Voter-Approved Gun Regulations.” OPB, September 1, 2020. https://www.opb.org/article/2020/09/01/bc-wa-gun-regulations-initiative/.
  14. Staff. “Federal Judge Upholds Washington State’s Voter-Approved Gun Regulations.” OPB, September 1, 2020. https://www.opb.org/article/2020/09/01/bc-wa-gun-regulations-initiative/.
  15. O’Sullivan, Joseph. “Gun-Free Zones, Licenses for Ammo Dealers: Gun-Safety Advocates Reveal Agenda for Washington State.” The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company, November 22, 2019. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/gun-free-zones-high-capacity-magazine-bans-licenses-for-ammo-dealers-gun-safety-advocates-announce-legislative-agenda-for-olympia-in-2020/.
  16. O’Sullivan, Joseph. “Gun-Free Zones, Licenses for Ammo Dealers: Gun-Safety Advocates Reveal Agenda for Washington State.” The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company, November 22, 2019. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/gun-free-zones-high-capacity-magazine-bans-licenses-for-ammo-dealers-gun-safety-advocates-announce-legislative-agenda-for-olympia-in-2020/.
  17. Bellisle, Martha. “List of Firearms Bills to Be Proposed at Legislature.” KIRO, January 10, 2020. https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/list-firearms-bills-be-proposed-legislature/3BOOFLMU2FEIND2CADACGC4AV4/.
  18. Jensen, Austin. “Ban on ‘Assault Weapons’ Appears Unlikely This Year in WA Legislature.” KUOW, January 22, 2020. https://www.kuow.org/stories/ban-on-assault-weapons-appears-unlikely-this-year-in-wa-legislature.
  19. Eldridge, Keith. “Groups to Debate in State House over Bill Limiting Size of Firearm Magazines.” KOMO, February 25, 2020. https://komonews.com/news/local/groups-to-debate-in-state-house-over-bill-limiting-size-of-firearm-magazines.
  20. Eldridge, Keith. “Groups to Debate in State House over Bill Limiting Size of Firearm Magazines.” KOMO, February 25, 2020. https://komonews.com/news/local/groups-to-debate-in-state-house-over-bill-limiting-size-of-firearm-magazines.
  21. Sokol, Chad. “Voters Consider Concealed Carry Ballot Measure; Referendum Concerns School Officials.” Daily Inter Lake, October 18, 2020. https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2020/oct/18/concealed-carry-ballot-measure-concerns-school-off/.
  22. Sokol, Chad. “Voters Consider Concealed Carry Ballot Measure; Referendum Concerns School Officials.” Daily Inter Lake, October 18, 2020. https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2020/oct/18/concealed-carry-ballot-measure-concerns-school-off/.
  23. Nystrom, Andy. “Five Candidates Running for Legislative District 41 Seats.” Mercer Island Reporter, October 15, 2020. https://www.mi-reporter.com/news/five-candidates-running-for-legislative-district-41-seats/.
  24. Krell, Alexis. “How the Battle for the 10th Congressional District Seat Is Going with 2 Weeks to Go.” Tacoma News Tribune, October 19, 2020. https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/politics-government/article246354660.html.
  25. Krell, Alexis. “How the Battle for the 10th Congressional District Seat Is Going with 2 Weeks to Go.” Tacoma News Tribune, October 19, 2020. https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/politics-government/article246354660.html.
  26. Krell, Alexis. “How the Battle for the 10th Congressional District Seat Is Going with 2 Weeks to Go.” Tacoma News Tribune, October 19, 2020. https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/politics-government/article246354660.html.
  27. Krell, Alexis. “How the Battle for the 10th Congressional District Seat Is Going with 2 Weeks to Go.” Tacoma News Tribune, October 19, 2020. https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/politics-government/article246354660.html.
  28. “2018 Annual Report.” Alliance for Gun Responsibility.  https://gunresponsibility.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2018-Annual-Report-Web.pdf
  29. O’Sullivan, Joseph. “Paul Allen, Nick Hanauer Give $1M Each to Washington State Initiative Pushing New Firearms Regulations.” Seattle Times, May 21, 2018. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/paul-allen-nick-hanauer-give-1m-each-to-washington-state-initiative-pushing-new-firearms-regulations/
  30. “Partners.” Alliance for Gun Responsibility. Accessed June 7, 2020. https://gunresponsibility.org/partners/
  31. “Board of Directors.” Alliance for Gun Responsibility. Accessed October 22, 2020. https://gunresponsibility.org/alliance-board-directors/.
  32. “Board of Directors.” Alliance for Gun Responsibility. Accessed October 22, 2020. https://gunresponsibility.org/alliance-board-directors/.
  33. “Board of Directors.” Alliance for Gun Responsibility. Accessed October 22, 2020. https://gunresponsibility.org/alliance-board-directors/.
  34. “Board of Directors.” Alliance for Gun Responsibility. Accessed October 22, 2020. https://gunresponsibility.org/alliance-board-directors/.
  35. “Board of Directors.” Alliance for Gun Responsibility. Accessed October 22, 2020. https://gunresponsibility.org/alliance-board-directors/.

Directors, Employees & Supporters

  1. Nick Hanauer
    Co-Founder, Donor
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: February 1, 2016

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2017 Dec Form 990 $1,019,633 $1,055,272 $170,991 $29,977 N $1,091,594 $0 $0 $70,613 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $4,365,298 $4,545,339 $223,719 $0 N $4,365,298 $0 $0 $63,923
    2015 Dec Form 990 $1,182,349 $873,588 $437,549 $33,789 N $1,022,658 $137,229 $0 $100,096 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Alliance for Gun Responsibility

    PO BOX 21712
    SEATTLE, WA 98111-3712