A federal judge on Friday tossed a lawsuit backed by the National Rifle Association against New York officials, ruling the firearms-rights organization does not have the standing to challenge the legality of the closure of gun stores during the coronavirus pandemic.

The NRA had sued earlier this year over the state not classifying gun stores as "essential" retail stores to be kept open as most businesses and offices closed down as the pandemic began to hit the state in March. The state has since started in May a gradual reopening of businesses and other workplaces as the infection rate has declined and leveled off. 

But Judge Mae D'Agostino, an appointee of President Barack Obama, ruled the NRA does not have standing in the case, essentially backing an arguement advanced by Attorney General Letitia James's office. 

The court ruling is the second win for the state's pandemic policies in federal court. Earlier this week, a federal judge upheld the state's ban on fans in attendance at auto racing tracks in parts of upstate New York. 

James last week announced a lawsuit against the NRA, charging the group with fraud and is seeking to dissolving it. The NRA has responded with a countersuit of its own.