The former CEO of the Freedom Fighters Foundation, a civil liberties organization that ran a private shooting range in North County that drew the ire of many neighbors, pleaded guilty Monday to felony gun trafficking.

Chad Clay Kipper, 34, admitted to falsely claiming to be an Arizona resident when he bought 14 firearms there in 2016, according to his plea agreement. According to prosecutors, he quickly resold the guns in California for a profit.

It is against the law to lie on an application during the purchase of firearms. Only licensed firearms dealers can buy a gun in one state and transport it back to a home state.

Kipper was sentenced to three years probation on Monday after pleading guilty. As a convicted felon, he is now prohibited from possessing firearms under state and federal law. As part of the plea agreement, Kipper forfeited 16 guns.


NBC 7 investigated the 22-acre private shooting range in the Rancho Pasqual neighborhood after viewing complaints on Nextdoor.com and from nearby residents. The residents were concerned about fire danger and complained about constant noise from the shot, including what sounded like the firing of fully automatic weapons.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began investigating in January and found that Kipper was listed with the California Secretary of State as the CEO of Freedom Fighters Foundation, which owned the range.

Checks revealed that Kipper, who lived in Carlsbad, was not registered to own any automatic weapons in the state. His Arizona purchases were then uncovered, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

According to the Freedom Fighters’ website, the group’s aim is “dedicated to the core principles of constitutionally limited government, conservative family values, free markets and individual liberty.”


To accomplish its mission, it blends civics and firearms education.

“In cooperation with NRA certified instructors, law enforcement, and every day patriots, Freedom Fighters Foundation provides a free basic firearms safety instruction and civics course to underprivileged citizens in our society. (underprivileged defined as having no civics or firearms education),” the website states. “The course emphasizes the importance of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, acting responsibly when exercising rights, and the original intent of the Founding Fathers.”


kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @kristinadavis