Senator H.L. “Bill” Richardson, Political Maverick and Guns Of America Founder, Has Died

Innovative maverick.  Defender of freedom. Effective, provocative, colorful and imaginative – each describe Senator H.L. Richardson (Ret.), founder of Gun Owners of California and Gun Owners of America. Senator H. L. Richardson was a nationally recognized, twenty-two-year veteran of the California State Senate who has focused his extensive political career on the preservation and protection of our Second Amendment rights. An active hunter and outdoorsman, Senator Richardson has been vigorously involved on the state and national scene, racking up political victories that span more than four decades. In 1966, H. L. “Bill” Richardson, a successful advertising executive, was elected to the State Senate the same year Ronald Reagan was elected California’s Governor.  Because of his vast hunting and outdoor experience, he was tapped to Chair the Senate Fish and Game Committee, and was elected by his Republican colleagues to a leadership position as Caucus Chairman, a post he held for many years. In the early 1970’s, the Senator became very aware of the worldwide inroads the radical left were making in politics, most specifically their consistent attempts to disarm Americans. He became a life member of the NRA and, with their encouragement, authored the state preemption of firearms law which in 2009 resulted in overturning the recently enacted San Francisco handgun ban.  He was subsequently elected to the NRA Board of Directors, where he served for over a decade. In 1975, the radical left introduced legislation to ban all handguns in California. The bill generated strong support from elected officials and the main-stream media, which triggered Richardson to mobilize enraged citizens from throughout the state.  It was at this point that Gun Owners of California was born, a direct mail attack was unleashed and the bill was defeated.  Gun Owners of America soon followed and Richardson’s keen skill for mobilizing single individuals toward a common goal launched a very effective political movement that continues to focus on the preservation of the Second Amendment. During his 22 years in the California Senate, Richardson showed that a determined application of confrontational politics could produce big victories.  While in office, in addition to GOC and GOA, Richardson organized multiple Political Action Committees [PACs] that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight the political left. One such committee was “Law and Order Campaign Committee” which led the charge to defeat Chief Justice Rose Bird and two other liberal members of the state Supreme Court. The three anti-victim justices were defeated by over a million votes. LOCC then pushed for the return of capital punishment, a move strongly opposed by the liberal leadership of both houses and Governor Jerry Brown (during his first term in office). Using massive direct mail pressure, the bill passed both houses but in spite of heavy support from the public, the bill was vetoed.  LOCC refused to give up, and using targeted direct mail and the mobilization of concerned citizens, Governor Jerry Brown’s veto was overridden. Richardson took this sharp political insight and wrote a virtual “game plan” for political wins with his controversial book, Confrontational Politics.   He clearly explains his core belief that politics should be a struggle of competing ideologies, not a game of compromise and accommodation.  A published author, other works include “Slightly to the Right,” an entertaining yet informative book written in the 60’s that taught conservatives how to debate their liberal friends.  It became an immediate conservative classic which sold over 250,000 copies nationally. “What Makes You Think We Read the Bills?” was written while Richardson was in the Senate and provides rare, yet funny insight into the real-life workings of the Legislature.  It has been used as a textbook in political science classes throughout California. Richardson also combined his love of writing and extensive knowledge of the American West to write a series of Western mysteries, beginning with “The Devil’s Eye”, and followed by the sequel “The Shadows of Crazy Mountain.” For a change of pace, he authored “Split Ticket,” a political comedy based in Sacramento, California. His unique perspectives and use of humor kept him in demand as a speaker and writer, and he continues to provide colorful media commentary on a host of issues.  He is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades from fellow Second Amendment organizations, and has received such notable recognition as Outstanding Statesman Award from the Conservative Caucus, Law and Order Award from American Educational League, the Guardian of Freedom Award from (YAF) Young Americans for Freedom and the Ronald Reagan Freedom Fighter Award.  He has also been recognized for his exceptional work in law enforcement, having earned commendations from California homicide investigators, swat teams, police, parole and correctional organizations. Senator H.L. “Bill” Richardson, Political Maverick and GOA Founder, Passes Away at 92 Senator H. L. “Bill” Richardson, founder of Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners of California, went home to be with the Lord on January 13, 2020. He was 92. A nationally recognized, twenty-two-year veteran of the California State Senate, Richardson’s extensive career was primarily focused on the preservation and protection of the Second Amendment. An active hunter and outdoorsman, Senator Richardson was vigorously involved on the state and national scene for more than four decades. Born in Terre Haute, Indiana in 1927, Richardson fell in love with the beauty and grandeur of California following his graduation from the Cornish (Art) Conservatory in Washington. He was elected to the State Senate in 1966 and served for 22 years, during which time he grew concerned with repeated attacks on the 2nd Amendment and made the decision to form Gun Owners of California, a grassroots political action committee. Gun Owners of America soon followed and Richardson’s keen skill for mobilizing single individuals toward a common goal launched a very effective political movement that continues to this day.In addition to GOC and GOA, Richardson organized multiple political action committees, including the “Law and Order Campaign Committee” which led the successful charge to defeat Chief Justice Rose Bird and two other liberal members of California’s Supreme Court. Following his retirement from the Legislature in 1988, he primarily devoted his time to GOC and GOA.Richardson’s legacy, however, extends far beyond the world of politics. He was an extraordinary hunter and dedicated to the conservation of California game. He was a prolific writer, penning fictional and non-fictional books alike. His book “Confrontational Politics” is the quintessential guide to approaching politics from a conservative perspective and is considered a virtual “game plan” for political wins. He was also an inexhaustible gardener, planting from seeds and harvesting all manner of vegetables, plus tending a vineyard and acres of fruit trees and berry vines which he named for his grandchildren. Richardson’s family was his greatest legacy; married to his beloved late wife Barbara for 57 years, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He is survived by his daughter Laurie Paredes, her husband Sam, son Doug Richardson, his wife Karen, and his sister Jane Chastain and husband Tom. Predeceased by daughter Carrie Herbertson, he was beloved by his grandchildren Kristy Paredes Collins, Julie Paredes Benson, Samuel Paredes, Annie Herbertson Hodges, Lisa Herbertson Swartzendruber, Henry Richardson, Kate Richardson and his 12 great grandchildren. A believer in the saving grace of Jesus Christ, he is at peace in his eternal home. Per his request, he will be remembered in a private, family service. For additional information on the life of H.L. “Bill” Richardson, click here.Gun Owners of America 8001 Forbes Pl Suite 202 Springfield VA 22151