Sam Paredes – Executive Director Emeritus (In Memoriam) For more than 43 years, Sam Paredes dedicated his life to Gun Owners of California, serving as Executive Director since 1998. A tireless defender of the Second Amendment, Sam was also a member of the Board of Directors and Secretary/Treasurer of Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners Foundation, where he served as a national spokesman and trusted voice for freedom.

Under Sam’s leadership, GOC became a relentless force in protecting and preserving the rights of law-abiding citizens in California. As a registered lobbyist, he testified in hundreds of legislative committee hearings and advocated fearlessly before the California Fish and Game Commission, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Justice. His work was marked by conviction, courage, and an unwavering belief that constitutional rights are God-given and non-negotiable.

Sam’s expertise was sought after by virtually every California news outlet, as well as national and international media such as Fox News, ABC World News Tonight, the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Univision, Telemundo, Al Jazeera, BBC, and many others. He was a frequent guest on podcasts and radio shows, a popular speaker at events across the country, and taught numerous workshops on “Confrontational Politics.” He also formerly co-hosted Sacramento’s Just Guns radio show.

In addition to his work with GOC, Sam was appointed by Governors George Deukmejian and Pete Wilson to serve in the Trade and Commerce Agency, where he worked in both administrations.

Born in Los Angeles to immigrant parents, Sam was the second of three children. He attended Pepperdine University on scholarship and graduated with a degree in political science, later pursuing studies at the Foundation for Economic Education in New York.

Sam was a certified firearms instructor, an avid outdoorsman, and a man who relished the beauty of God’s creation—whether hunting, fishing, golfing, or traveling. He also served as a volunteer firefighter and on the board of his local fire protection district in El Dorado County.

Above all, Sam was a man of deep faith. His love for Jesus Christ guided his life and shaped his mission. He leaves behind a legacy of faith and freedom, inspiring countless others to stand courageously in defense of liberty.

Sam was the proud father of three children, a devoted grandfather to eight, and the loving husband of his wife Laurie. He made his home with his family in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, where his presence will be dearly missed but his impact will never fade.

GOC is the oldest pro-gun political action committee in the United States of America, having been at the forefront of the battle since assaults on the 2nd Amendment began. GOC functions as a 501(c)4 non-profit and operates exclusively from membership contributions and donations, utilizing funds to actively educate on issues and candidates.  Employing a strong, three-pronged approach to beating back the assault on the Constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms, GOC is involved in the following:

• Fighting full-time in the legislative halls, serving as a critical resource to policy makers.
• Fighting in the courts – in California and across the nation, having filed amicus briefs in California and other states as well as before the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Fighting at the ballot box – raising money to elect pro-gun candidates and to defeat the bad guys.