Array
The National Rifle Association won an important First Amendment case at the Supreme Court that has wide-ranging implications for advocacy groups.
The NRA brought suit against Maria Vullo, the former superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services, for using her power to force insurance companies and banks not to do business with the group.
Following the Parkland School shooting in 2018, Vullo met with Lloyd’s of London, during which the NRA claims she offered not to prosecute other violations as long as Lloyd’s helped with her vendetta against gun groups.
Vullo was a former member of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration and claims she was only targeting policies that were illegal in New York.
The NRA’s suit against Vullo can now proceed on a First Amendment basis.
The decision by the normally divided Supreme Court was unanimous.
“Government officials cannot attempt to coerce private parties in order to punish or suppress views that the government disfavors,” liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote.
“Ultimately, the critical takeaway is that the First Amendment prohibits government officials from wielding their power selectively to punish or suppress speech,” she added.
