ACLU Uncharacteristically Defends NRA in Supreme Court Free Speech Case

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In an unexpected twist of political alliances, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is set to represent the National Rifle Association (NRA) in a First Amendment appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court. The ACLU, a New York-based civil liberties organization, confirmed its role in the legal battle against the New York Department of Financial Services on Saturday. This comes despite the ACLU’s firm opposition to the NRA’s stance on gun rights.

The ACLU clarified in a statement on X, previously known as Twitter, “While we are in strong disagreement with the NRA’s stance on gun rights and do not endorse their objectives, methods, or tactics, we also recognize that government entities should not impose penalties on organizations based on their viewpoints.”

The NRA, echoing the ACLU’s sentiment, expressed pride in their collaboration on its social platforms, emphasizing that regulatory power should not suppress political expression.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to deliberate on this case early next year. The case revolves around former New York State Department of Financial Services superintendent Maria Vullo’s remarks following the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.

Post the Parkland, Florida, shooting tragedy, Vullo appealed to banks and insurers in New York to sever ties with organizations promoting firearms, highlighting the potential reputational risks involved. Subsequently, the NRA initiated legal action against Vullo after facing severed partnerships and business refusals, primarily based in Fairfax, Virginia. However, a federal appeals court in New York dismissed the NRA’s claims, indicating Vullo’s actions were legitimate and within her professional capacity.

Requests for comment from New York’s financial services department representatives received no response as of Saturday.

Meanwhile, the ACLU argued that a failure to address this issue at the Supreme Court level could set a hazardous precedent for regulatory bodies nationwide, enabling them to target organizations based on their viewpoints. This could potentially affect a spectrum of groups, ranging from those advocating for abortion rights to environmental organizations, including the ACLU itself.

“The central issue of this lawsuit is the defense of the First Amendment and civil liberties, irrespective of our disagreement with the NRA on the Second Amendment,” stated the ACLU. The organization stressed its commitment to safeguarding the rights of all groups to participate in political advocacy.

This development comes amidst ongoing resilience within the NRA and the broader gun-rights movement, despite persistent mass shootings and gun violence in the nation. However, this stance has been met with criticism from some quarters, including the New York Civil Liberties Union. The NYCLU has openly expressed its disagreement with the decision and has chosen not to partake in the case. Executive Director Donna Lieberman emphasized the potential detrimental impact on the clients and communities served by the ACLU and NYCLU, considering the NRA’s robust legal representation and influential status.

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