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Gun Owners of California
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| Gun Owners of California | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Folsom, Calif. |
| Type: | 501(c)(4) |
| Top official: | Sam Paredes, Executive director |
| Founder(s): | H.L. Richardson |
| Year founded: | 1975 |
| Website: | Official website |
As of 2016, Gun Owners of California was a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization that aimed to influence firearms policies in the state of California.
Mission
According to the organization's website, the mission for Gun Owners of California was:[1]
| “ | Dedicated to the unequivocal defense of the 2nd Amendment, and America’s extraordinary heritage of firearm ownership.[2] | ” |
Background
Gun Owners of California was founded in 1975 by H.L. "Bill" Richardson, a former state senator in California and the founder of Gun Owners of America. According to the group's website, Richardson was motivated by proposed legislation to ban handguns throughout the state, prompting him to launch a "political movement that continues to focus on the preservation of the Second Amendment."[3]
Work
As of 2016, Gun Owners of California primarily worked to lobby the California Legislature supporting what the group sees as "effective crime control" and opposing what it considers "ineffective gun control."[4]
Political activity
Ballot measure activity
Gun Owners of California 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]
Overview of ballot measure support and opposition
The following table details Gun Owners of California’s ballot measure stances available on Ballotpedia:
| Ballot measure support and opposition for Gun Owners of California | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballot measure | Year | Position | Status |
| California Proposition 63, Background Checks for Ammunition Purchases and Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazine Ban | 2016 | Opposed[6] |  Approved
|
Leadership
As of September 2016, Sam Paredes was the executive director of Gun Owners of California, a position he has held since 1998.[7]
Finances
The following is a breakdown of Gun Owners of California's revenues and expenses as submitted to the IRS for the 2009 to 2011 fiscal years:
| Annual revenue and expenses for Gun Owners of California, 2009–2011 | ||
| Tax Year | Total Revenue | Total Expenses |
| 2011[8] | $260,044 | $262,490 |
| 2010[9] | $376,708 | $366,634 |
| 2009[10] | $189,697 | $242,764 |
Tax status
Gun Owners of California 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.[11] Organizations that have been granted 501(c)(4) status by the Internal Revenue Service are exempt from federal income tax.[12] 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 'Gun Owners of California'. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Gun Owners of California, "Our Mission," accessed September 30, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Gun Owners of California, "Our Founder," accessed September 30, 2016
- ↑ Gun Owners of California, "Legislation Resources," accessed September 30, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "California General Election November 8, 2016, Official Voter Information Guide," accessed August 18, 2016
- ↑ California Fair Political Practices Commission, "November 2016 General Election," September 16, 2016
- ↑ Gun Owners of California, "Our Executive Director," accessed September 30, 2016
- ↑ Michel Lawyers, "Gun Owners of California IRS Form 990 (2011)," accessed September 30, 2016
- ↑ Michel Lawyers, "Gun Owners of California IRS Form 990 (2010)," accessed September 30, 2016
- ↑ Michel Lawyers, "Gun Owners of California IRS Form 990 (2009)," accessed September 30, 2016
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service, "IRC 501(c)(4) Organizations," accessed July 10, 2014
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