Washington, D.C., August 6, 2020 - Following the announcement that New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit seeking to dissolve the National Rifle Association (NRA), Team ENOUGH applauds Attorney General James’ prudent action and calls for continued attention to the on-going effort to strengthen our nation’s gun laws. Attorney General James’ suit not only charges that NRA leadership violated “numerous state and federal laws” relating to the organization’s tax exempt status, and said the NRA was "operating as a breeding ground for greed, abuse, and brazen illegality."THe lawsuit also seeks the dissolution of the organization as well as restitution from four members of the NRA’s past and current leadership: Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, General Counsel John Frazer, former Chief Financial Officer Woody Phillips and former Chief of Staff Joshua Powell.
The Team ENOUGH Executive Council shared:
“Today’s action from Attorney General James is a needed step towards ensuring that the NRA is finally held to account for its known malfeasance, self-dealing, and corrupt behavior. While this lawsuit may take years to resolve, it is an essential step to ensure that our government represents the people, not the gun lobby. The NRA has continued to advance extremist policies that do not reflect the majority of Americans or the majority of gun owners, the group for whom they purportedly speak. Today’s action further exposes how NRA leadership used their power and position to illegally divert millions of dollars for personal use. To the young people of this country, it comes as no surprise that the NRAs actions reflect that of the corrupt politicians it supports — and pays off — namely, President Trump. These are not the actions of a nonprofit. These are not the actions of an organization committed to keeping Americans safe or serving the ‘public good.’
While this case winds its way through our legal system, we must rededicate ourselves to ensuring that the NRA’s existing power continues to wither by electing public officials who are responsive to all Americans and are committed to ending gun violence. We need leadership that will champion community-based solutions and common-sense policies to prevent violence. While this is certainly not the last we will hear from the NRA, this November we have the opportunity to silence them at the ballot box and we intend to take it. Team ENOUGH remains committed to this effort, including our ongoing Voting Access Saves Lives campaign, to ensure that we expand our democracy and that our government is truly of and by the people.”