By Ginika Igboke
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has filed a lawsuit against its nonprofit affiliate, the NRA Foundation, alleging that the foundation is being used by former NRA board members to undermine and seize control of the organization.
The NRA Foundation was created in 1990 to support the gun rights group’s educational and charitable initiatives. In a lawsuit filed Jan. 5 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the NRA claims the foundation has been taken over by “a disgruntled faction of former NRA directors who lost control of the NRA’s Board” and has since adopted an adversarial posture toward the organization.
“This is a disappointing day, and it should not have come to this,” NRA CEO and Executive Vice President Doug Hamlin said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. “This action represents a last resort.”
Allegations of Misuse and Trademark Violations
The lawsuit accuses the foundation’s leadership of trademark infringement, unfair competition, trademark dilution, and the unauthorized diversion of charitable assets. According to the NRA, foundation officials are attempting to use the nonprofit to wrest control from the NRA’s current leadership.
Court filings state that the NRA is concerned about the alleged misuse of approximately $160 million raised by or with the NRA’s involvement. The organization says donors were told their contributions would support NRA-related educational, charitable, and nonpolitical activities, but alleges the foundation’s board is instead using the funds for its own purposes.
“The Foundation willfully disregards the NRA’s valuable trademark rights in an attempt to profit from the NRA’s reputation and goodwill,” the lawsuit states.
The NRA further alleges that a group of former board members—referred to in the complaint as “the Old Guard”—has attempted to amend the foundation’s bylaws to sever ties with the NRA and consolidate control over the foundation’s assets.
Leadership Dispute and Financial Concerns
According to the lawsuit, the Old Guard hired a “disgruntled former NRA employee” as the foundation’s executive director. While the individual is not named, the complaint alleges that the executive director has openly stated intentions to sharply reduce or eliminate financial support for the NRA, initiate litigation against it, take control of certain NRA programs, and destabilize the organization financially.
The NRA is asking the court to order the foundation to halt the alleged trademark violations, award damages where appropriate, and appoint a temporary receiver or monitor to ensure that foundation funds are used in line with donor intent.
Purpose of the NRA Foundation
The NRA established the NRA Foundation as a 501(c)(3) organization to allow individuals and corporations to make tax-deductible donations in support of educational and scientific activities related to the lawful ownership and use of firearms. Among its best-known initiatives is the Eddie Eagle GunSafe program, which teaches children firearm safety and how to respond if they encounter an unattended gun.
The NRA Foundation did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.
NRA’s Ongoing Rebuild
The legal battle comes as the NRA continues to rebuild following a 2020 lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James. That case resulted in a settlement requiring sweeping governance reforms and the repayment of millions of dollars by former top officials.
At the NRA’s annual meeting in Atlanta last year, Hamlin pledged to strengthen and reform the organization. “We’re explain making the changes we need to make the NRA stronger right where we are,” he told attendees.
Under the settlement, longtime NRA leader Wayne LaPierre was ordered to repay more than $4.3 million and was barred from holding any fiduciary or management role within the NRA or its affiliates until July 28, 2034. LaPierre, who had been with the organization since 1977, was accused of using NRA funds for luxury travel, private jets, and expensive gifts, and resigned in January 2024.
Former Chief Financial Officer Wilson “Woody” Phillips was ordered to pay $2 million after admitting to improper travel reimbursements and failing to address LaPierre’s spending. The court also required the NRA to hire a chief compliance officer and a consultant to help oversee the organization’s restructuring.
The lawsuit against the NRA Foundation marks the latest chapter in the organization’s efforts to reassert control, enforce governance reforms, and stabilize its finances amid internal conflict.
Original article
Comments