Company Directory - Gun Owners of America
Company Details - Gun Owners of America

Gun Owners of America
WebsiteA non-profit organization that advocates for the rights of gun owners in the United States.
CCI Score
CCI Score: Gun Owners of America
-33.69
0.01%
Latest Event
Affiliated Member Supports Reversal of 'Ghost Gun' Restrictions
AWR Hawkins, a prominent Second Amendment columnist and member of Gun Owners of America, is featured in a Breitbart article discussing potential measures by President Trump to reverse Biden-era 'ghost gun' restrictions, signaling an endorsement of deregulatory gun policies.
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TOADIE
Gun Owners of America is currently rated as a Toadie.
Latest Events
- MAR312025
AWR Hawkins, a prominent Second Amendment columnist and member of Gun Owners of America, is featured in a Breitbart article discussing potential measures by President Trump to reverse Biden-era 'ghost gun' restrictions, signaling an endorsement of deregulatory gun policies.
- MAR252025
A Breitbart report on a shooting incident highlighting a member of Gun Owners of America, AWR Hawkins, reveals the organization's implicit support for an armed citizenry narrative. This association raises concerns about the promotion of far‐right ideologies that can undermine democratic norms and contribute to authoritarian tendencies.
- MAR252025
A Breitbart article highlighting a contentious legislative debate on campus carry, featuring a member of Gun Owners of America, reflects the organization’s alignment with a politically charged stance that may contribute to extremist narratives. The rhetoric used, including inflammatory comments about campus safety and alleged bias against certain groups, suggests complicity in fostering an environment supportive of authoritarian policies.
- MAR122025
Gun Owners of America has initiated legal action against the ATF to challenge a protective (gag) order imposed on its attorneys regarding secret surveillance documents obtained via a FOIA request. The lawsuit, filed on March 12, 2025, seeks to overturn the order that has hampered journalistic efforts and transparency, highlighting tensions between government censorship and public accountability.
+15
Public and Political Behavior
March 25
Under the category of Public and Political Behavior, Gun Owners of America's legal challenge against the ATF's FOIA gag order is seen as a push for transparency and accountability. While the organization’s overall advocacy for expansive gun rights is controversial from a progressive perspective, this particular action against a perceived government overreach in censorship aligns with anti-authoritarian principles by supporting open government and the public's right to access information.
- FEB072025
On February 7, 2025, Gun Owners of America released a report highlighting the ATF's continued use of facial recognition technology to track gun owners, raising concerns about unconstitutional surveillance and government overreach.
+50
Public and Political Behavior
March 25
Gun Owners of America's report challenges the ATF's use of facial recognition technology. By drawing attention to government surveillance practices that can lead to authoritarian overreach, the organization positions itself as an active participant in exposing potential abuses of power. While the organization is known for its conservative stance on gun rights, this particular act of public political behavior is aimed at defending civil liberties and ensuring accountability, which from an anti-fascist perspective helps to mitigate government overreach.
Report: ATF's Use of Facial Recognition AI to Identify Gun Owners Raises Concerns
- FEB062025
An analysis of the OpenSecrets profile of Gun Owners of America reveals significant lobbying expenditures and a notable revolving door effect, with a substantial portion of its lobbyists having previously held government positions. These activities raise concerns over the organization’s role in influencing policy and contributing to authoritarian political dynamics.
-60
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 25
The OpenSecrets profile indicates that Gun Owners of America spent $649,305 on lobbying in 2024 and made campaign contributions, reflecting a significant use of financial resources to influence public policy in ways that may support far‐right agendas. This level of financial involvement in political lobbying contributes negatively to democratic accountability.
-40
Executive Political Engagement
March 25
The data highlights a revolving door phenomenon, with one in every six lobbyists in 2024 having previously held government positions. This intermingling of public service and private lobbying undermines trust in democratic institutions and may facilitate policies that align with authoritarian objectives.
- DEC202023
Gun Owners of America, along with allied gun rights groups, filed a federal lawsuit against California's SB 1384, arguing that the law's mandate for advanced surveillance systems in gun dealerships is an unconstitutional infringement on privacy and free speech. While the group frames the lawsuit as a defense of civil liberties against state overreach, its politically charged stance and advocacy for expansive gun rights raise concerns about its broader impact on democratic norms and public safety.
-20
Public and Political Behavior
March 25
Under the Public and Political Behavior category, Gun Owners of America’s legal challenge against California’s surveillance law is seen as an aggressive political move that, despite its framing as a defense of constitutional rights, aligns with a broader extremist gun rights agenda. This polarizing stance not only fuels political division but also indirectly supports an environment where armed advocacy may undermine collective safety and democratic deliberation.
Pro-2A Groups File Federal Lawsuit Against California’s Orwellian Surveillance Law
- DEC202023
Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) have initiated a coalition lawsuit challenging California's mandatory surveillance measures for gun dealers, which they describe as 'Orwellian'. This legal action is framed as a defense of Second Amendment rights but has raised concerns among critics who argue that such tactics undermine regulatory efforts aimed at ensuring accountability and public safety. From a left-leaning perspective, this move may bolster a right-wing agenda that contributes to the erosion of democratic oversight.
-50
Public and Political Behavior
March 25
The lawsuit represents a deliberate political action by GOA to challenge state regulations perceived as restrictive. However, from a perspective concerned with democratic accountability and the prevention of authoritarian practices, such litigation can be seen as an effort to undermine efforts to regulate the gun industry, potentially enabling a more unregulated environment that could contribute to the erosion of public safety and democratic norms.
- OCT012023
An analysis of Gun Owners of America's lobbying activities based on OpenSecrets data reveals aggressive efforts to influence U.S. politics. These efforts, focused on shaping policy in favor of pro-gun, far‑right positions, may contribute indirectly to the rise of authoritarian practices by reinforcing hardline stances and undermining democratic accountability.
-50
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
October 1
OpenSecrets' profile on Gun Owners of America's lobbying activities exposes a robust effort in political contributions and lobbying that further entrenches far‑right ideologies. From an anti‑fascist and left‑leaning perspective, such intense lobbying is concerning because it fosters an environment where policies may be influenced to support authoritarian approaches rather than protect democratic norms.
- DEC312022
In 2022, Gun Owners of America reported a record $3.3 million in federal lobbying expenditures, ramping up its political contributions and establishing the GOA Victory Fund super PAC. The delayed disclosures and increased spending raise serious concerns about transparency and the use of political influence to bolster a far‐right agenda that could contribute to authoritarian practices.
-70
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
January 1
Gun Owners of America significantly increased its federal lobbying efforts in 2022 with a record expenditure of $3.3 million. This escalation, along with the formation of a super PAC and a marked increase in political contributions to GOP candidates, demonstrates a strategic attempt to influence policy outcomes. The repeated delays in disclosing lobbying activities further erode transparency and accountability, suggesting a complicit role in advancing agendas aligned with far‐right and authoritarian interests.
- FEB102022
Gun Owners of America reported a record $3.3 million in federal lobbying spending in 2022 through belated disclosures. The organization, known for its staunch advocacy for gun rights, not only increased its federal lobbying efforts but also amplified its political influence via increased contributions and the launch of a super PAC. Such actions suggest an aggressive campaign against gun control measures and underscore a troubling commitment to shaping policy in ways that may contribute to authoritarian tendencies.
-80
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 25
Gun Owners of America's record federal lobbying expenditure, combined with delayed disclosure practices and increased political contributions (including the creation of a super PAC), represents a clear effort to influence legislative outcomes in a way that supports undemocratic, authoritarian-leaning policies. Such tactics amplify partisan divisions and undermine transparent democratic processes.
- JUL012021
Gun Owners of America was reported to have spent nearly $15.8 million on lobbying in 2021 to influence gun laws, aggressively opposing gun control measures and using hardline political rhetoric that reinforces far‐right positions.
-80
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 25
Gun Owners of America spent nearly $15.8 million in 2021 on federal lobbying efforts, targeting approximately 80 bills including key measures such as the ATF Accountability Act and the Assault Weapons Ban. This extensive financial influence on policymaking demonstrates a deliberate effort to sway legislation in favor of gun rights, which from an anti-fascist perspective, contributes to the erosion of democratic debate and supports an authoritarian, exclusionary political agenda.
USA Today: GOA spending millions in Washington to influence gun laws
-70
Executive Political Engagement
March 25
Statements by GOA leadership, including remarks from the senior vice president and the director of federal affairs, reflect a combative stance that uses politicized narratives to rally support against gun control. This executive political engagement amplifies a hardline ideology that undermines balanced discourse and contributes to a political climate that can favor authoritarian policies.
USA Today: GOA spending millions in Washington to influence gun laws
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