In a case concerning the First Amendment, the National Rifle Association received a unanimous ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday. The 9-0 decision, authored by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who is known for her liberal views, has the potential to create obstacles for state regulators seeking to exert pressure on advocacy groups. According to CNN, this ruling permits the NRA to proceed with its legal action against a New York official who urged financial institutions to cut off their ties with the organization after the tragic 2018 mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, claiming the lives of 17 individuals.
“Government officials cannot attempt to coerce private parties in order to punish or suppress views that the government disfavors,” Sotomayor wrote. “Ultimately, the critical takeaway is that the First Amendment prohibits government officials from wielding their power selectively to punish or suppress speech.”
CNN reported that Maria Vullo, the former superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services, allegedly exerted pressure on insurance companies to cut their connections with the gun lobby, as stated by the NRA. Additionally, she purportedly issued threats of enforcement actions against companies that failed to comply with her demands.