New York state's attorney general Letitia James on Thursday sued to dissolve the National Rifle Association, alleging that senior officials of the organization embezzled millions of dollars.

James in a lengthy statement accused NRA leaders of paying for family trips to the Bahamas, private jets and expensive meals that contributed to a $64 million reduction in the NRA's balance sheet in three years, turning a surplus into a deficit.

"We are seeking to dissolve the NRA for years of self-dealing and illegal conduct that violate New York's charities laws and undermine its own mission," she said.

"The NRA diverted millions of dollars away from its charitable mission for personal use by senior leadership."

She noted that the lawsuit was targeting the NRA as a whole and four senior leaders, including Wayne LaPierre, who she accused of failing to manage the NRA's funds and failing to follow numerous state and federal laws.

"They and board members at the NRA abused their power & illegally diverted or facilitated the diversion of tens of millions of dollars from the NRA," said James.

"The NRA has failed to carry out its stated mission for many years, and instead, operated as a breeding ground for greed and abuse."

The NRA, which teaches gun safety in addition to advocating laws making it easier for Americans to own guns and ammunition, is subject to New York law because it is registered as a non-profit organization in New York, where it conducts most of its financial transactions.

Gun violence has dogged the U.S. for years, attracting more scrutiny on the NRA.

In 2019 alone, the number of gun-related deaths was 39,427 in the U.S. There were 417 mass shootings that year, averaging more than one a day.

During the first 46 weeks of 2019, 45 school shootings took place, marking a frequency that was about once a week.

Between 2008 and 2017, on average, one person was killed with a gun every 15 minutes.

Americans make up 4 percent of the world's population but own 46 percent of all guns. That means there are 120 guns for every 100 U.S. residents.

In her statement on Thursday, James said the NRA was not immune to legal action in New York.

"In New York, we have a set of laws that every individual and entity must be held accountable to, regardless of its size, influence, power, or wealth," she said.

"No one is above the law, not even the NRA, one of the most powerful organizations in this country."

(With input from agencies)