The NRA has a surprising defender in its free speech case before the Supreme Court: the ACLU
NEW YORK — In the event that politics creates strange bedfellows, the National Rifle Association will be represented in an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court by its frequent nemesis, the American Civil Liberties Union.
The New York-based civil liberties group confirmed Saturday that it would provide legal representation to the gun rights group in its First Amendment case against the New York Department of Financial Services, even as it “vigorously” opposes almost everything it stands for.
“We do not support the mission of the NRA or its positions on gun rights, and we do not agree with their goals, strategies or tactics,” the ACLU wrote in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. “But we both know that government officials cannot punish organizations for disapproving of their views.”
The NRA, which reshared the ACLU's statement on its social media account, wrote in a follow-up post that it was “proud” to stand with the ACLU and others who recognize that “regulatory authority cannot be used to to silence expressions.”
The nation's highest court will hear arguments early next year in a case focusing on comments former New York State Department of Financial Services Superintendent Maria Vullo made following the 2018 shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
After seventeen people were murdered at the school in Parkland, Florida, Vullo called on banks and insurance companies operating in New York to end their partnerships with gun promotion groups.
In letters to companies and press releases, she urged operators to consider the “reputational risks” of doing business with the NRA and other gun groups.
The NRA sued Vullo after multiple entities cut ties or decided not to do business with the Fairfax, Virginia-based organization. The federal appeals court in New York rejected the NRA's claims, saying Vullo acted in good faith and within the scope of her employment.
Spokespeople for New York's Finance Department did not respond to an email seeking comment on Saturday.
But the ACLU argued in additional comments to punish. , environmental groups and even the ACLU itself.
“The questions at the heart of this case concern the First Amendment and the principled defense of civil liberties for all, including those with whom we disagree about the Second Amendment,” the ACLU wrote. “We will not allow the rights of organizations to engage in political advocacy to be trampled.”
The announcement, which comes as the NRA and the gun rights movement have generally proven resilient amid the country's incessant mass shootings and gun violence, was criticized by at least one prominent ACLU affiliate.
The New York Civil Liberties Union said in a statement that it “strongly disagrees” with the decision and would not participate in the case, even though it originated in New York.
“The important First Amendment issue in this case is well established, the NRA is one of the most powerful organizations in the country and has sophisticated attorneys, and representing the NRA immediately risks enormous harm to the clients and communities with which the ACLU and NYCLU work. and serving,” Executive Director Donna Lieberman said in an emailed statement.