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The NRA vehemently defends the second amendment: the right to carry a weapon
Photo: Lucas Jackson / REUTERS
The National Rifle Association is the most powerful gun lobby organization in the United States.
But after financial and leadership scandals, the NRA has now filed for bankruptcy.
The organization announced this on its website.
The statement went on to say that the NRA wanted to leave New York.
This is a "corrupt political and regulatory environment".
The NRA wants to restructure itself as a non-profit organization in Texas.
The plan provides for the "use of the protection of the bankruptcy court," it said.
In its communication, the NRA tried not to see the bankruptcy declaration as a sign of weakness: "The move comes at a time when the NRA is in its strongest financial shape for years."
In fact, financial and leadership scandals have recently rocked the NRA.
In 2019 the "New Yorker" reported that the NRA was not only making "$ 40 million a year in losses", but was also steering "hundreds of millions of dollars" of its revenue from contributions and fundraising to a PR company and a few top managers and "dubious" contractors .
This is a violation of laws that provide that the NRA is tax-exempt.
Indictment in New York
In the summer, New York Attorney General Letitia James brought charges against the National Rifle Association.
The state of New York demanded the dissolution of the association.
James accused senior members of embezzling money and enriching themselves.
Over three years damage in the amount of more than 64 million dollars.
Organization leaders are said to have paid for private trips to the Bahamas and expensive restaurant visits with funds from the organization.
The NRA called the allegations irrelevant at the time and spoke of an attack on the constitutional rights of gun owners.
The restructuring of the NRA could hamper the lawsuit.
A start-up in Texas could result in the organization not being dissolved as requested by James.
However, in response to the NRA's statement, James said it will not allow the NRA to evade its oversight: “While we are reviewing this filing, we will not allow the NRA to use this or any other tactic to defend itself To remove accountability and supervision of my office. "
NRA chief Wayne LaPierre was quoted in the association statement as saying that the NRA - founded in New York in 1871 - will now be reorganized in Texas, a state that values the NRA.
"This is a turning point in the history of the NRA." At the same time, it was said that the daily work would continue, the NRA would, as usual, advocate the second amendment to the constitution.
This guarantees US citizens to be allowed to own a weapon.
The NRA has not-for-profit status in the United States and is therefore subject to special donation and charity requirements.
It is considered a very conservative organization with great political influence and a loyal supporter of US President Donald Trump and the Republicans.
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ptz / AP