Media Contact: Georgia Seltzer, (202) 822-8200 x104, gseltzer@vpc.org
Campaign Research Notes – August 5, 2025
As the National Rifle Association (NRA) continues to try and rebuild trust with gun owners (both members and non-members alike) and the firearms industry, Gun Owners of America (GOA is the self-proclaimed “only no-compromise gun lobby in Washington” and even more extreme than the NRA) is working to fill the breach.
One of the most obvious examples is the aggressive promotion of GOA’s new Gun Owners Advocacy and Leadership Summit (GOALS) convention, now in its second year and scheduled for August 9th and 10th in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Like the NRA’s longstanding annual meeting, a centerpiece of the GOA event is an industry bazaar of new guns featuring, “The most iconic brands in the shooting sports industry.” And don’t worry, in case there could be any doubt, “Families and children are welcome to attend as this a celebration [sic] for the entire 2A community.”
Besides the chance for children to handle a range of firearms – and virtually anything else gun related — with impunity, both meetings have child-focused activities (or as the gun industry trade association the National Shooting Sports Foundation exhorts, “Start Them Young”).
GOA is promoting its kid-friendly presence at its August meeting with the “Kids Zone” for “young patriots.” As a promotional email promises: “At GOALS families unite to celebrate the Second Amendment. That includes plenty of fun for kids. Whether you’re a lifelong gun owner or raising young patriots, GOALS offers an exciting and welcoming experience for all ages.” And “Kids 18 and under get in free.”
But there’s entertainment for adults as well. At least for those who enjoy gun lobby drama. For the second year in a row the “title sponsor” of the event is Brownells, which sells assault rifles as well as other firearms and markets high-capacity ammunition magazines, silencers, and other firearm accessories and gun parts. The company is headed by Pete Brownell, who, prior to becoming a high-profile GOA benefactor, was… a former president and board member of the National Rifle Association. Brownell resigned from the board in 2019 amidst a range of growing scandals then beginning to envelop the group, including his alleged involvement in the NRA’s own Russiagate.
So with Pete Brownell engaged in such a high-profile way, GOA gets validation both for its outreach to disgruntled NRA members and ex-members, but also as a new marketing partner for the firearms industry.
And while GOA is looking to be viewed as the inevitable heir to the throne of the pro-gun movement, the NRA is still trying to win back the trust – and dollars – of the activist gun owners and firearm manufacturers that it had long taken for granted.
The more things change…
The Campaign for Gun Industry Accountability is an ongoing project of the Violence Policy Center.