It’s a ‘Disappointing Day’ for the NRA

The National Rifle Association has filed a federal lawsuit against its own charitable arm, accusing the NRA Foundation of exploiting the organization’s name, brand, and donors. The suit, filed Monday in Washington, DC, alleges the foundation has used the NRA’s reputation to raise money while functioning as a competing organization, according to NBC News.

NRA CEO Doug Hamlin called the lawsuit a “last resort,” saying in a statement that it was a “disappointing day” and that the conflict should never have reached this point, the Washington Post reports.

At the heart of the dispute is approximately $160 million the foundation is accused of raising “alongside” the NRA. The organization claims those funds were mishandled in violation of charitable trust laws and says the foundation has misled donors by presenting itself as the NRA or as an officially authorized affiliate. The NRA is asking a judge to stop the foundation from using its trademarked intellectual property and from implying its work is approved by or connected to the NRA.

The lawsuit describes the foundation as being controlled by a group of “disgruntled” former NRA directors. According to the filing, those individuals were allies of longtime former NRA chief Wayne LaPierre and were removed following allegations of financial misconduct and breaches of fiduciary duty. The NRA alleges the former leaders are using the foundation to regain influence, reduce grant funding to the NRA, take control of certain programs, and directly compete for donations.

The legal battle follows a damaging civil corruption case in New York. In February 2024, a jury found that LaPierre diverted millions of dollars in NRA funds to support an extravagant lifestyle, and a judge later banned him from NRA membership for 10 years. LaPierre resigned just days before the trial began. The NRA Foundation did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the new lawsuit.