This week, the New York Attorney General filed a lawsuit that could lead to the dissolution of the National Rifle Association, following an 18-month investigation into allegations of abuse and fraud.
This was great news for gun control advocates, as the political force of the NRA has proven powerful and nearly impossible to overcome.
One of the most excited voices was a survivor of theParkland, Florida Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018, David Hogg.
He took to Twitter in a string of tweets proclaiming his feelings.
I am so happy March For Our Lives filed a complaint with the New York Attorney General over a year and a half ago O… https://t.co/Dp4ivWw6ki— David Hogg Text “our power” to 954-954 🌊 (@David Hogg Text “our power” to 954-954 🌊) 1596729103.0
Sending my deepest thoughts and prayers to you for this upcoming election. https://t.co/IMRoVhokBm— David Hogg Text “our power” to 954-954 🌊 (@David Hogg Text “our power” to 954-954 🌊) 1596751354.0
If you thought this was wild just wait until you see the kids from March run for office. Our generation has the p… https://t.co/hyw3gjFWim— David Hogg Text “our power” to 954-954 🌊 (@David Hogg Text “our power” to 954-954 🌊) 1596741691.0
New York AG, Letitia James filed the lawsuit Thursday that alleges top NRA executives misused money from the charity organization for personal gain. Due to the excessive nature of the series of abuses, James seeks the dissolution of the organization much the same as the Trump Foundation was required to do after allegations of fraud and abuse.
The suit is extensive in its allegations, not just against the organization, but against specific executives as well. CEO Wayne LaPierre, former CFO Woody Phillips and former chief of staff Joshua Powell are all specifically named and accused of abuse in addition to the NRA as a whole.
Hogg has been waging his own battle to stop the NRA after the horrific shooting at his high school. He wanted to start an opposition organization to push people to vote, and eventually, push for reform on gun laws.
He's one of the founders of March for Our Lives, a student led organization determined to prevent gun violence in the United States.
The group also felt the need to troll the NRA upon hearing the news.
Sending thoughts and prayers to the @NRA...— March For Our Lives (@March For Our Lives) 1596728965.0
The NRA is over. Pass it on. https://t.co/REKpNwoGN6— Sunrise Movement 🌅 (@Sunrise Movement 🌅) 1596741420.0
NRA stands for not relevant anymore😎😎😎 #NRAisOverParty https://t.co/GKWAMF1q7v— March For Our Lives Tampa Bay (@March For Our Lives Tampa Bay) 1596748194.0
The NRA has responded to the allegations calling them a "baseless, premeditated attack" on the organization. They espoused their mission to defend the second amendment, and emphasized that they wouldn't be bullied.
People responded online.
🤣🤣🤣 Even when you are being charged with fraud you still can't help but spin it into some anti-gun conspiracy. Se… https://t.co/GjR127R5o5— 💀 The Horror Guru 💀 (@💀 The Horror Guru 💀) 1596745034.0
they really said baseless like there aren’t legit receipts of them misusing their funds 🥴 https://t.co/rlvdocEYLr— kelly 윤미 choi (@kelly 윤미 choi) 1596734071.0
If you are an @NRA member, you shouldn’t be mad at the NY AG for following the law. You should be mad at Wayne LaPi… https://t.co/e5uIcJzNGY— Ted Lieu (@Ted Lieu) 1596745451.0
@NRA https://t.co/JWubDEYdsB— Kelly Baden (@Kelly Baden) 1596733035.0
Even before this lawsuit, the NRA was experiencing hard times. They faced legal trouble from congressional inquiries and internal whistleblower complaints. These have led to a nearly $100 million hit in lost revenue, according to LaPierre.
How this will affect the 2020 election remains to be seen. But if the GOP loses one of their biggest campaign supporters, it may not look good for them.