The ACLU, despite differing views on gun rights, believes that government officials cannot punish organizations based on their views.
The ACLU has agreed to represent the NRA in a First Amendment case against New York's Department of Financial Services.
The case revolves around comments made by former superintendent Maria Vullo, who allegedly encouraged banks and insurance companies to stop doing business with the NRA after a school shooting in 2018.
In an unexpected alliance, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has agreed to represent the National Rifle Association (NRA) in a First Amendment case against New York's Department of Financial Services. The case, set to be argued before the Supreme Court early next year, centers around comments made by former superintendent Maria Vullo following the 2018 shooting in Parkland, Florida.
The NRA alleges that Vullo violated the First Amendment by pressuring banks and insurance companies to sever ties with the organization. The ACLU, despite differing views on gun rights, has taken up the case, arguing that public officials should not be allowed to blacklist an organization based on political views.
David Cole, the ACLU's Legal Director and an experienced Supreme Court advocate, will be arguing the case. The decision to represent the NRA has not been without controversy, with criticism coming from the New York Civil Liberties Union among others. However, the ACLU maintains that while they do not support the NRA's mission or viewpoints on gun rights, they believe that government officials cannot punish organizations based on their views.
The case is expected to have significant implications for the interpretation of the First Amendment and the extent to which government officials can influence private sector relationships with organizations based on their political views.
The case involves a former superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services who allegedly encouraged banks and insurance companies to stop doing business with the NRA after a school shooting in 2018.
