NEW YORK (AP) – The New York Attorney General’s case against the National Arms Association is more than just a “witch hunt,” a New York judge said Friday, dismissing the Weapons Rights Group’s claims that the case was a political vendetta.
Manhattan Judge Joel M. Cohen’s ruling means the nearly two-year lawsuit could continue.
The decision comes after mass shootings last month in New York and Texas, which revived a debate over US weapons policy and shifted attention to the NRA.
The New York case began when a Democrat, James, filed a lawsuit accusing some senior NRA officials of financial irregularities and trying to disband the group. The work of the Attorney General includes overseeing nonprofits registered in New York, where the NRA was established in 1871.
In March, Cohen rejected James’ offer to close the NRA. But the judge allowed the case to continue, with the potential for fines or other remedies if the chief prosecutor prevails.
The NRA accused James in a lawsuit last year of running a “blatant and malicious campaign of revenge” for his views. The group tried to stop the case.
Cohen rejected these arguments.
“The statement that the Prosecutor General’s investigation into these undoubtedly serious issues was nothing more than politically motivated – and unconstitutional – witch-hunts is simply not supported by the protocol,” he wrote, noting that the investigation was prompted by reports of wrongdoing. conduct and “additional evidence found.”
James applauded the decision, saying it confirmed “the legitimacy and viability of the claim.”
“Our struggle for transparency and accountability will continue,” she said in a statement.
NRA lawyer William A. Brewer III said the group was disappointed but would continue to fight the case and still believed it had been unfairly targeted.
“The NRA believes that the persecution of NYAG has been fueled by its opposition to the association and its activities under the First Amendment in support of the Second Amendment,” he said in a statement, using an abbreviation for the title of Attorney General.
Following the recent shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uwalde, Texas, Congress is under renewed pressure to respond to years of guerrilla congestion over gun laws.
The chamber has passed bills that will raise the age limit for the purchase of semi-automatic weapons and establish federal “red flag” laws that allow the taking of weapons from people at high risk of harming themselves or others. Such initiatives have traditionally failed in the Senate.
Democratic and Republican senators are talking about a framework for resolving the issue, but no agreement has been announced.
The NRA – a long-standing political force that has lost some influence in recent financial scandals – has long insisted that mass shootings are not a reason to restrict access to weapons, arguing that the decision is instead to have law-abiding gunmen. weapons to protect yourself and others.
The announcement was made at the group’s congress in Houston last month, days after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers in Uwalde.
Rallies calling for significant changes to gun laws are planned in Washington and across the country this weekend and are expected to attract tens of thousands.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is also involved in the national tug-of-war for the weapons scene in America. Judges are expected to come up with their most important weapons decision in more than a decade, potentially facilitating armaments on the streets of New York and other major cities.
Add Comment