January 18, 2024 – Fox News reports that dozens of political leaders, lawmakers, scholars and other organizations have filed or joined amicus briefs at the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the National Rifle Association's (NRA) First Amendment lawsuit against former New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) Superintendent Maria Vullo.
The NRA is represented in the case by Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and First Amendment scholar Eugene Volokh.
In a May 2018 lawsuit, the NRA alleged that Vullo conspired to use DFS' regulatory power to “financially blacklist” the NRA – coercing banks and insurers to cut ties with the Association to suppress its pro-Second Amendment speech.
"This support from organizations and scholars across the political divide validates the NRA’s position: New York government officials violated the First Amendment when they weaponized the powers of their office to silence a perceived political enemy. As evidenced in the chorus of voices that emerged, this case is important to not only the NRA but to all who engage in public advocacy," NRA counsel William A. Brewer III told Fox News.
Fox reports that 190 individuals and organizations filed 22 amicus briefs in support of the NRA’s legal battle. One filing, led by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, was joined by 22 other state attorneys general.
"In their quest to erase the Second Amendment, anti-gun politicians in New York violated the First Amendment rights of the National Rifle Association and its millions of members, using mafia-style tactics to try to silence their voices," Knudsen told Fox.
In addition, Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) and Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) were joined by 81 members of the U.S. Congress in a brief filed earlier this week.
"The participation of more than 100 federal lawmakers and attorneys general represents a united front against government overreach, emphasizing the need to protect the rights of all Americans. This case extends beyond the NRA; it's about safeguarding the fundamental liberties that form the cornerstone of our democracy," said NRA-ILA Executive Director Randy Kozuch.