For years, gun rights advocates have suspected that taxpayer dollars were being funneled into gun control efforts. Now, thanks to investigative work by journalists, activists, and independent watchdogs, those suspicions appear to be confirmed.
According to a report from Shooting News Weekly’s Lee Williams, millions – if not billions – of taxpayer dollars have been indirectly funding major gun control organizations. Through a complex web of middlemen, government agencies have allegedly laundered funds that eventually land in the coffers of groups like Everytown for Gun Safety, Giffords, and the Brady Center.
This revelation raises serious questions about government transparency, the misuse of public funds, and whether taxpayer money is being used to erode Second Amendment rights.
The Role of NEO Philanthropy
Lee Williams, writing for Shooting News Weekly, exposed one of the major players in this alleged financial scheme: NEO Philanthropy. This left-leaning nonprofit has been around for over 40 years and presents itself as a bridge between wealthy donors and grassroots organizations. However, Williams’ reporting suggests that NEO is more than just a middleman – it’s a financial laundromat, receiving funds from various sources, including taxpayer-funded grants, and distributing them to gun control groups.
According to data compiled by DataRepublican.com, NEO Philanthropy funneled millions of dollars to Everytown for Gun Safety and other anti-gun organizations. Some of this money allegedly originated from sources like the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a federal agency meant to fund international aid and development projects. The implication? Federal grant money, paid for by American taxpayers, is being used to push for stricter gun control policies.
How USAID Funds Ended Up in Gun Control Groups’ Hands
Larry Keane, writing for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), confirmed Williams’ findings and expanded on them. Keane pointed to newly uncovered financial data that appears to show USAID funding making its way through a maze of charities before landing in the accounts of major gun control groups.
Keane reported that Everytown received at least $7.5 million through various channels, including $245,000 from the Board of Trustees of the Leland, $150,000 from the Tides Center (which has ties to billionaire George Soros), and nearly $6.75 million from Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund. The same funding pathways allegedly sent money to other gun control groups like Giffords, March for Our Lives, and the Brady Center.
USAID’s involvement is particularly concerning because it means that a federal agency – one that taxpayers fund – is indirectly bankrolling organizations that advocate for stricter gun laws. While this funding does not go directly from the government to Everytown or Giffords, it passes through enough layers of charities and philanthropic organizations that its origins become obscured.
DataRepublican.com Follows the Money Trail
One of the biggest revelations in this investigation comes from a new tool called DataRepublican.com, a website designed to track the flow of government grant money into nonprofits and advocacy groups. Liberty Doll, a popular gun rights YouTuber, reviewed the site and confirmed that it provides damning evidence of taxpayer money flowing into gun control groups.
Striking Findings
In her report, Liberty Doll noted that DataRepublican.com uses detailed flowcharts to trace funding paths. According to the site, USAID money was sent to organizations like the National Endowment for Democracy and Freedom House, which then passed funds to groups such as NEO Philanthropy. From there, the money was routed to Everytown, Brady, and Giffords.
One of the most striking findings? Nearly $13 million in taxpayer money ended up in Brady’s accounts, while Everytown raked in $31 million from various sources that included government grants.
The Dickey Amendment and Legal Loopholes
For years, gun control activists have been frustrated by the Dickey Amendment, a provision passed in 1996 that prohibits the use of taxpayer money for gun control advocacy. While this law is still in effect, Lee Williams and Larry Keane both argue that gun control advocates found a way around it.
Instead of directly allocating money to Everytown or Brady, federal agencies and large nonprofits donate to intermediary groups like NEO Philanthropy or the Tides Foundation. These organizations then redistribute the money to gun control groups, allowing the government to claim plausible deniability.
According to Liberty Doll, this is effectively government-sanctioned money laundering. The funds change hands multiple times, making it difficult for watchdog groups and journalists to track where the money ultimately ends up.
Elon Musk’s DOGE Agency Uncovers Waste
One of the most unexpected developments in this story is the role of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). According to Liberty Doll, DOGE has been aggressively investigating government waste, and in doing so, stumbled upon the connection between USAID and gun control groups.
DOGE’s findings suggest that as much as $1 billion per day has been wasted or misused within various government programs, including those that indirectly fund gun control efforts. The agency has been working to expose these expenditures and bring accountability to government spending.
However, not everyone is happy about this newfound transparency. According to Larry Keane, 19 Democratic attorneys general – led by New York’s Letitia James, a staunch gun control advocate – have sued to block DOGE from accessing certain government systems. This move has only fueled suspicions that there is something to hide.
Gun Owners Are Funding Their Own Opposition
Perhaps the most infuriating aspect of this situation for gun owners is that they are unknowingly funding the very organizations that want to restrict their rights. According to Keane, taxpayer money – including money paid by gun owners themselves – is being funneled into groups that lobby for restrictive gun laws, push anti-gun messaging, and support political candidates who advocate for gun bans.
This means that a hunter in Texas, a concealed carry holder in Ohio, or a competitive shooter in Florida could be indirectly paying for policies that make it harder for them to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
Political Fallout and Media Silence
Despite the shocking nature of these findings, the mainstream media has largely ignored the story. While conservative outlets and Second Amendment advocates have been sounding the alarm, major newspapers and networks have remained silent.
Keane suggests that this silence is intentional. If the average taxpayer knew that their money was being used to fund gun control, there would likely be public outrage. But by keeping the story under wraps, gun control advocates can continue to receive funding without scrutiny.
However, thanks to journalists like Lee Williams, organizations like the NSSF, and independent researchers like Liberty Doll, the truth is beginning to come out.
What Happens Next?
The exposure of this funding network raises several important questions. Will Congress investigate how taxpayer dollars are being used to fund gun control? Will new legislation be introduced to close the loopholes that allow government agencies to launder money through nonprofits?
One thing is clear: Second Amendment advocates are not going to let this issue go. With watchdog groups and investigative journalists continuing to dig deeper, this story is far from over.
Holding Those Responsible Accountable
Gun owners have long suspected that anti-gun groups had access to more than just billionaire donations. Now, thanks to the investigative work of Lee Williams, Larry Keane, and Liberty Doll, we know that taxpayer money is also in the mix.
The real question is whether voters, taxpayers, and lawmakers will hold those responsible accountable. If history is any indication, the fight over this issue is just getting started.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa writes about homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Whether it’s canning vegetables or setting up a rainwater harvesting system, Lisa’s goal is to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.