Alaska joins 15 states in fighting New York’s attempt to shut down the NRA

Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor and 15 other governors filed a friend of court brief against the State of New York for its attempt to shut down the National Rifle Association. The AGs called it an abuse of power.

New York attorney general Letitia James is abusing the power of her office in her targeting of the gun-rights group and attempts to prosecute the group in New York.

“The statements made by the New York AG are nothing short of startling,” the attorneys general wrote. “The New York AG’s promise to ‘take down the NRA’ if elected, coupled with her description of the NRA’s advocacy as ‘poisonous’ and ‘deadly propaganda,’ makes it clear that the NRA’s message is the impetus for the New York AG’s dissolution request.”

The 16 attorneys general said the NRA should be allowed to “leave New York for greener pastures” in Texas because of the James’ “mission to destroy the NRA and silence its members.”

Arkansas, Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia joined in the statement to the court. All of those states have Republican leadership, while James is a Democrat.

In March, the NRA board approved a bankruptcy plan during an emergency meeting in Texas and the group has been in talks with AG James, but have been able to reach a deal. A trial over the bankruptcy pleading is set to begin on Monday.

“There is nothing improper about the NRA pursuing reorganization to ensure that it emerges intact from its ongoing battle with its powerful politically motivated opponents,” the attorneys general wrote. “Seeking to thwart responsible government oversight is one thing; getting out from under the thumb of government officials abusing their office is another.”