WORLD NRA in crosshairs State of New York launches bid to bring down gun lobby

NEW York is about to take on America’s incredibly powerful National Rifle Association and attempt to destroy it in court.

The state of New York is suing the NRA and its leader Wayne LaPierre for financial fraud and misconduct.

It comes at a pivotal time, with America just a few months out from its presidential election and the NRA a huge supporter of Donald

Trump. It was estimated to have donated about $30m to Trump’s election bid in 2016.

State Attorney-General Letitia James said Mr LaPierre and three other top NRA officials used the dues and donations of members for years as their “personal piggy bank,” spending tens of millions of dollars on themselves and cronies in violation of laws governing non-profit organisations.

The four “basically looted its assets,” leaving the oncewealthy group, which pumped millions into Republican political campaigns, close to being insolvent, Ms James said.

In a statement, the NRA accused James of filing the suit “to score political points” with a national election three months away.

“This was a baseless, premeditated attack on our organisation and the Second Amendment freedoms it fights to defend,” NRA President Carolyn Meadows said.

She said the NRA had countered on Thursday with a lawsuit against Ms James.

“We not only will not shrink from this fight, we will confront it and prevail,” Ms Meadows said in the statement.

For decades the NRA has represented the views of millions of gun owners and enthusiasts across the US, fighting with substantial success to loosen and eliminate laws on gun control, citing the Constitution’s Second Amendment right to bear arms.

Asked about the lawsuit, Mr Trump said it was a terrible thing. “I think the NRA should move to Texas, and lead a very good and beautiful life,” he told reporters.