The National Rifle Association claims it has suffered "tens of millions of dollars" of harm after insurance companies and banks stopped working with the group after the Parkland shooting.
The guns rights organization made the claim in documents filed in a New York federal court in late July, which were first reported by Rolling Stone.
The NRA is suing the New York State Department of Financial Services and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo after the state agency encouraged financial services companies in New York not to do business with the gun rights organization after the Florida shooting.
The NRA argues in its lawsuit that it's been the victim of a "discrimination campaign" and that it has suffered harm to its reputation and marketing damages worth tens of millions of dollars.
"The NRA has suffered tens of millions of dollars in damages," the lawsuit read. "Such damages include, without limitation, damages due to reputational harm, increased development and marketing costs for any potential new NRA-endorsed insurance programs, and lost royalty amounts owed to the NRA, as well as attorneys’ fees, legal expenses, and other costs."
The hardline group also claims that if it cannot use banking services and receive donations from members, then it "will be unable to exist as a not-for-profit."
"Simply put, defendants made it clear to banks and insurers that it is bad business in New York to do business with the NRA," said the organization in its complaint.
Back in April, the state financial services agency issued a memo calling on insurers, banks, and other financial companies to "review" their relationships with the NRA and other gun promotional organizations.
The memo names the Parkland shooting — where 17 people were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14 — as one of the reasons to be careful of public safety.
David Hogg, one of the Parkland teens who became the face of the anti–gun violence movement March for Our Lives, tweeted on Saturday that the NRA is not in financial crisis but is "trying to fool us into believing this" because it wants donations.
The NRA is trying to fool us into believing this DO NOT believe it. The NRA is still one of the greatest threats to American lives today. They simply need donations now that Maria Butina and @torshin_ru have been reviled. https://t.co/435OiqYAJx
On Saturday, hundreds of protesters — including several survivors of the Parkland shooting — marched on the organization's headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia, for the National March on NRA protest.
Cuomo said on Saturday that an insurance product being offered by the NRA — a liability insurance for instances of self-defense shootings called "Carry Guard" — is illegal in the state of New York.
"We put the insurance carrier on notice, they stopped that insurance product, and the NRA is not getting a commission from the sale of an illegal product. You know, what do you want me to say? My heart bleeds for them?" said Cuomo during a press stop in the Bronx.
"You're not supposed to be selling an illegal product in the first place. Don't complain when you get caught with an illegal product," he declared.
On Friday, the state of New York filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, and the governor called on other states to also ban the insurance program the NRA sells.
"If the NRA goes bankrupt because of the State of New York, they'll be in my thoughts and prayers. I'll see you in court," said Cuomo in a statement.