California Rifle and Pistol Association
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| California Rifle and Pistol Association | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Fullerton, Calif. |
| Type: | 501(c)(4) |
| Top official: | Chuck Michel, President |
| Year founded: | 1875 |
| Website: | Official website |
The California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA) is a 501(c)(4) advocacy group and the official state association of the National Rifle Association in California.[1]
The CRPA advocates for firearms policies that it believes strengthen individual rights to own and use guns through lobbying, litigation, and issue advocacy.[2] The organization also offers training programs and shooting classes for gun owners and sponsors shooting competitions.[3][4]
Background
The CRPA was founded in 1875 and extends membership to the general public, including competitive and recreational shooters, hunters, police, firearm experts, and individual gun owners.[2]
While the CRPA was the official California state association of the National Rifle Association (NRA), the CRPA is controlled by an independent board of directors.[2]
Work
Member services
The CRPA was a membership organization. Costs for membership ranged from $20 for a junior year-long membership to $500 for a lifetime membership. Members received updates on legislative issues, discounts on education and training, and access to events such as shooting competitions.[6]
Litigation
The CRPA, often in conjunction with the NRA, has brought suit against entities that it feels violate the rights of gun owners. Some of these suits have come before the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. Such cases include:
- The "good cause," policy that is required in San Diego before obtaining a concealed carry permit
- A ten-plus round magazine ban
- A challenge to a firearms prohibition for misdemeanor domestic violence.
The CRPA and NRA also took a supporting role in litigation, offering consulting services or filing amicus briefs.[7]
Lobbying
According to the CRPA website, the organization employed a full time lobbyist in California's capitol city of Sacramento.[8]
The following is a breakdown of payments made to lobbyists by the CRPA from 2011-2016, according to the California Secretary of State[9][10][11]
| Lobbying payments for California Rifle and Pistol Association, 2011-2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Legislative session | Lobbying payments | |
| 2015-2016 | $130,803.38 | |
| 2013-2014 | $127,207.47 | |
| 2011-2012 | $135,340.01 | |
The CRPA lobbied the California State Legislature and state agencies on a number of issues. These issues include, but are not limited to the following:[11][12]
- Fishing and game regulations
- Fees and taxes on firearms, ammunition, certificates, and hunting licenses
- The Firearms Violence Research Center
- Theft of firearms
- Loaning, purchasing, and registering for firearms
- Big game hunting
- The sale of ivory
- Concealed carry licenses
- Tribal territories
- Gun violence and restraining orders
- Redefinition of assault weapons and certain parts of firearms
- Disposal of contaminated soil from shooting ranges
- DNA and forensic testing
- Criminal procedure for asset forfeiture and felony convictions
- Unsafe handgun regulations
- Prohibited armed persons
- Firearms waiting period
- Magazine capacity
Advocacy
The CRPA advocated for the right to use and own firearms by working at the state and local levels throughout California to promote laws that it believes protects these rights and oppose laws that it believes infringe upon them. The CRPA used several tools and resources in its advocacy efforts. These resources included:[13][14][15]
- CRPA Volunteer Corps: The CRPA Volunteer Corps consisted of volunteers who monitored campaigns and candidates to support or oppose and volunteered on the campaigns that align most with the CRPA values. Volunteers also interacted with local law enforcement and government agencies, attended events such as gun shows to recruit new members, promoted CRPA efforts across media, and assisted at events and training. The CRPA aimed to have members of the CRPA Volunteer Corps active in every county in California.
- Election Guides: The CRPA published election guides for state and local elections and also distributed the NRA election guide to members and interested parties during national elections.
- Legislative updates and webinars: The CRPA published information on bills before the California State Legislature and encouraged its members and volunteers to act in support or opposition of these bills by methods which include writing to elected officials.
Training programs
The CRPA offered training related to gun use and safety. Training included NRA rifle and pistol classes, junior rifle classes, California hunter education, and basic firing range safety.[16]
Publications
The CRPA publishes an official magazine, CRPA Firing Line, which covers membership news, legislative and legal updates, and events.[17] It also publishes booklets on policy issues. Examples of these booklets include California's Ban on the Open Carry of Unloaded Long Guns, Hunter's Guide:AB 711 Compliance Guide, Understanding the Los Angeles "Large-Capacity" Magazine Ban, and Gun Free School Zones.[18]
Political activity
Ballot measure activity
The CRPA was one of the top donors opposing California Proposition 63, Background Checks for Ammunition Purchases and Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazine Ban, a 2016 ballot measure that aimed to require individuals who wish to purchase ammunition to first obtain a four-year permit from the California Department of Justice.[5] According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the CRPA opposed the measure because they said, "the measure would put small ammunition retailers out of business, force people to get a license to buy ammo, and do nothing to stop terrorists or other criminals from obtaining bullets."[19]
Overview of ballot measure support and opposition
The following table details California Rifle and Pistol Association’s ballot measure stances available on Ballotpedia:
| Ballot measure support and opposition for California Rifle and Pistol Association | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballot measure | Year | Position | Status |
| California Proposition 63, Background Checks for Ammunition Purchases and Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazine Ban | 2016 | Opposed[20] |  Approved
|
Leadership
The following individuals are members of the CRPA's board of directors, as of September 2016.[21]
- Chuck Michel, President
- Mike Barranco, Vice president
- Matthew Corwin, Secretary
- Steve Dember, Treasurer
- Hal Barker
- Barry Bauer
- Randy Bimrose
- Bruce Colodny
- Gary Daniel
- Paul Dougherty
- George Emmerson
- Joel Friedman
- Pete Halimi
- Mark Hanten
- Jay Jacobson
- Gerald Johnson
- T.J. Johnston
- David Kimes
- Douglas Koehler
- David Kupfer
- Richard Minnich
- Paul Nordberg
- Mike Peters
- Jacob Rascon
- Derek Schuller
- George Semchak
- Jim Shea
- Elizabeth Smith
- Hammer Sui
- Tom Thomas
- Tony Tello
- Herb Williams
Finances
The following is a breakdown of the California Rifle and Pistol Association's finances from 2011-2013.[22][23][24]
| Annual assets and expenses for the CRPA, 2011-2013 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal Year | Total Assets | Total Revenue | Total Expenses |
| 2013 | $4,522,762 | $1,287,951 | $1,153,849 |
| 2012 | $4,362,036 | $1,256,665 | $1,188,520 |
| 2011 | $3,955,005 | $899,804 | $1,040,112 |
Affiliated organizations
The CRPA was associated with the CRPA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. According to the CRPA website, the CRPA Foundation "seeks to strike down unconstitutional laws, defend and expand legal recognition of the rights protected by the Second Amendment, promote firearms and hunting safety, protect hunting rights, enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in shooting sports, and educate about firearms in their historic, technological, and aesthetic context."[25] Many of CRPA’s efforts are funded by the CRPA Foundation.[2]
According to the CRPA website, the CRPA Foundation worked with the NRA to implement a California strategic litigation plan, which has involved forming the California Legal Action Project. Through the Legal Action Project, the NRA and CRPA Foundation litigated to fight against gun control laws and ordinances, assisted individuals, and aimed to educate government officials about gun safety programs.[25]
Tax status
The California Rifle and Pistol Association is a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Its 501(c) status refers to a section of the U.S. federal income tax code concerning social welfare organizations.[26] Organizations that have been granted 501(c)(4) status by the Internal Revenue Service are exempt from federal income tax.[27] Section 501(c) of the U.S. tax code has 29 sections listing specific conditions particular organizations must meet in order to be considered tax-exempt under the section. Unlike 501(c)(3) organizations, however, donations to 501(c)(4) organizations are not tax-deductible for the individual or corporation making the contribution. 501(c)(4) organizations may engage in political lobbying and political campaign activities. This includes donations to political committees that support or oppose ballot measures, bond issues, recalls, or referenda.
- See also: 501(c)(4) organizations on Ballotpedia
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'California Rifle and Pistol Association'. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Tom Berryhill
- Sherry Hodges (California)
- Marie Waldron
- California Proposition 63, Background Checks for Ammunition Purchases and Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazine Ban (2016)
- Coalition for Civil Liberties
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ National Rifle Association, "State Associations," accessed November 2, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedabout - ↑ California Rifle and Pistol Association, "Training Programs," accessed September 30, 2016
- ↑ California Rifle and Pistol Association, "CRPA Competitive Shooting Sports," accessed September 30, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 California Secretary of State, "California General Election November 8, 2016, Official Voter Information Guide," accessed August 18, 2016
- ↑ California Rifle and Pistol Association, "Membership," accessed October 25, 2016
- ↑ California Rifle and Pistol Association, "Firearms Litigation Report," accessed October 25, 2016
- ↑ California Rifle and Pistol Association, "Legislation-Litigation Related Links," accessed November 3, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Lobbying Activity for California Rifle and Pistol Association, Inc., 2011," accessed November 3, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Lobbying Activity for California Rifle and Pistol Association, Inc., 2013," accessed November 3, 2016
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 California Secretary of State, "Lobbying Activity for California Rifle and Pistol Association, Inc., 2015," accessed November 3, 2016
- ↑ California Legislative Information, "Bill Information," accessed November 3, 2016
- ↑ California Rifle and Pistol Association, "Volunteer," accessed October 25, 2016
- ↑ California Rifle and Pistol Association, "Search Results for Election Guide," accessed October 25, 2016
- ↑ California Rifle and Pistol Association, "2016 Bill Status Update," accessed October 25, 2016
- ↑ California Rifle and Pistol Association, "Training Calendar," accessed October 25, 2016
- ↑ California Rifle and Pistol Association, "CRPA Firing Line," accessed October 25, 2016
- ↑ California Rifle and Pistol Association, "Online Store, Publications," accessed October 25, 2016
- ↑ San Francisco Chronicle, "How Gavin Newsom’s family tragedy led to ammo-control initiative," September 27, 2016
- ↑ California Fair Political Practices Commission, "November 2016 General Election," September 16, 2016
- ↑ California Rifle and Pistol Organization, "CRPA Board of Directors," accessed September 30, 2016
- ↑ Guidestar, "California Rifle and Pistol Association, IRS Form 990, 2011," accessed October 24, 2016
- ↑ Guidestar, "California Rifle and Pistol Association, IRS Form 990, 2012," accessed October 24, 2016
- ↑ Guidestar, "California Rifle and Pistol Association, IRS Form 990, 2013," accessed October 24, 2016
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 California Rifle and Pistol Association, "The CRPA Foundation," accessed October 25, 2016
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service, "IRC 501(c)(4) Organizations," accessed July 10, 2014
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