The organization's president, Ray Schoenke, said the AHSA was intended to bridge the gap between urban liberals and rural gun owners, but closed down due to a lack of support from the Obama administration.

It favored most restrictions on firearms, but believed that little progress will be made until gun owners are allowed to bring their common-sense perspective to the table.

[6] Ricker said at this conference that the NRA and other 2nd Amendment rights organizations did not address the specific concerns of hunters – protecting hunting lands and wildlife habitats – which led to the creation of AHSA.

[19] In 2008, the Obama campaign paid for Shoenke to travel to 40 events in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida and Colorado to address pro-gun voters.

NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox characterized the AHSA as "the latest front group for the anti-gun movement.