Animal Extremists Mount Legal Offensive Against Sportsmen

by
posted on February 21, 2025
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
SA And HLF

Animal extremist groups have recently announced their decisions to hire additional attorneys to challenge predicted federal government regulations and actions regarding energy, the environment and endangered species. The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and Earthjustice are hiring six and eight additional attorneys.

“While the specifics of their lawsuits are still unclear, one thing is certain: these animal extremists are committed to dismantling sportsmen’s rights in our country, and they have the funding to pursue as much,” said Dr. Todd Adkins, senior vice president at the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “Years and years of sue-and-settle schemes have lined the coffers of ideologues, and they have no shame in utilizing those funds to pursue silly, superfluous lawsuits without legal or scientific backing.”

The new presidential administration has brought a wave of new administrative actions —many of which have created anxiety and ideological roadblocks for animal extremists. But these organizations are no strangers to suing the federal government. CBD sued the previous Trump administration more than 280 times, while Earthjustice took the administration to court over 200 times. These numbers are staggering—especially when you consider the lunacy of many of their arguments—but not surprising.

CBD has over 70 in-house attorneys, and Earthjustice employs at least 200. For scale of reference, prominent hunters' right group Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation's Office of Litigation Counsel employs just five.

“We’ve been litigating against CBD, Earthjustice and other animal extremists for years, and their tactics have changed very little,” said Michael Jean, litigation counsel at the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “But they’re willing to spend exorbitant amounts of money to pursue their ideologies. Fortunately, we’ve been very effective and efficient at defending against these attacks.”

For more updates on the continual fight against those who seek to take away the rights of hunters, head on over to NRA's Hunter's Leadership Forum, visit the Sportsmen's Alliance, or of course, check back with us right here at americanhunter.org.

Latest

AC30 B.O.B Lede
AC30 B.O.B Lede

#SundayGunday: Savage Arms AC30 B.O.B. Suppressor

This week, Shooting Illustrated's Jay Grazio makes a guest appearance to showcase the Savage Arms AC30 B.O.B. suppressor.

Upland Birds of the Wild West

Big game attracts many hunters to the West, but the region is also home to some of the country’s best upland bird hunting.

Big Buck Business: Whitetail Gear Roundup

Have you noticed some holes in your deer kit this season? Some shortcomings that need addressing? Check out this roundup of whitetail gear tailor made for dropping big bucks.

NRA Foundation Donates $30,000 to Help Feed Missouri Families

The NRA Foundation has once again stepped up to fight hunger in Missouri, donating $30,000 to help feed children and families across the state through a partnership with the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM), Feeding Missouri, and the Share the Harvest Program.

New Video Demonstrates Benefits of School Programs on Conservation

The latest Partner With a Payer video released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service highlights the impact of youth shooting sport programs and the role they play in long-term conservation funding.

Hardware Review: Barnes Harvest Collection

Check out Bryce Towsley's review of this fall whitetail slayer from Barnes.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.