The Gun Owners of California (GOC) is a lobbying organization that opposes legislation and regulations that infringe on Second Amendment rights. ¹

The Gun Owners of California was founded by the late former California State Senator H.L. “Bill” Richardson (R) in 1975 to lead an effort to oppose legislation that would have banned all handguns in California. ²

Activities

The Gun Owners of California lobbies to defend Second Amendment rights, which it claims are under attack by political fronts and local, state, and federal governments. GOC aims to elect supporters of gun rights to office, while defeating those who oppose or seek to overregulate these rights. ³

In 2021, the Gun Owners of California supported the unsuccessful recall attempt against California Governor Gavin Newsom (D). GOC claimed that Newsom simultaneously sped up early release efforts for inmates, many of which were convicted of violent crimes, while ramping up gun control efforts for law-abiding citizens. GOC further claimed that with the rise in crime, pandemic uncertainty, and efforts to defund the police, legal firearm ownership would be the first line of defense for many citizens. ⁴

The Gun Owners of California provides information on proposed California legislation that could affect Second Amendment rights. In 2022, GOC is monitoring bills that it deems unnecessary, opposes bills that would ban gun shows, and supports a bill that extends permits to carry concealed firearms from two to five years. ⁵

In 2022, the Gun Owners of California opposes California Senate Bill 906, which would require parents to disclose information about firearm ownership to their child’s school. GOC claims that the Fourth Amendment guarantees citizens the expectation of privacy and prevents the government from home intrusion. GOC further claims that the law would not be an effective means to end school shootings, but instead violate the rights of law-abiding firearms owners. ⁶

Funding

The Gun Owners of California is funded by membership contributions and other undisclosed donations. ⁷

People

Samuel Paredes is the executive director of Gun Owners of California, the treasurer of the Gun Owners Foundation (GOF), and sits on the board of Gun Owners of America (GOA). ⁸

Tim Macy is the president of Gun Owners of California, ⁹ the chair and president of GOA, and the president of GOF. ¹⁰

Gerry Ognibene is the founder and president of Vote Rite Systems and sits on the board of GOF. ¹¹

1. “Our Mission.” Gun Owners of California, 2022. Accessed March 23, 2022.  https://www.gunownersca.com/about-us-2/mission/.
2. ^[1] “Our Founder.” Gun Owners of California, 2022. Accessed March 31, 2022. https://www.gunownersca.com/about-us-2/our-founder/.
3.  “Our Mission.” Gun Owners of California, 2022. Accessed March 23, 2022.  https://www.gunownersca.com/about-us-2/mission/.
4. Paredes, L.A. “No, Mr. Governor – Everything is NOT Fine.” Gun Owners of California, August 25, 2021. Accessed March 31, 2022. https://www.gunownersca.com/2021/08/25/no-mr-governor-everything-is-not-fine/.
5. “Legislation.” Gun Owners of California, 2022. Accessed March 31, 2022. https://www.gunownersca.com/legislation/.
6. “GOC Opposes Bill Forcing Parents to Disclose Gun Ownership.” Voter Voice. Accessed March 31, 2022. https://www.votervoice.net/GOAGOC/Campaigns/93502/Respond.
7. “Donate.” Gun Owners of California, 2022. Accessed March 31, 2022. https://www.gunownersca.com/donate/.
8.  “Our Executive Director.” Gun Owners of California, 2022. Accessed March 23, 2022. https://www.gunownersca.com/about-us-2/our-executive-director/.
9. Gun Owners of California Inc, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2019, Part VII, Section A, Line 1a.
10. “About GOA.” Gun Owners of America, 2022. Accessed March 23, 2022. https://www.gunowners.org/about-goa/.
11. “About GOA.” Gun Owners of America, 2022. Accessed March 23, 2022. https://www.gunowners.org/about-goa/.