PRESS RELEASES
NRA V. CUOMO, VULLO
NRA Secures Landmark Legal Victory; Supreme Court Unanimously Rules for NRA in First Amendment Case Against Former New York Regulator
NRA Press Release
May 30, 2024
The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) scored a historic legal victory today in one of the most closely followed First Amendment cases in the nation.
In a stinging rebuke of New York’s “blacklisting campaign” against the NRA, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled for the NRA in its case against former New York State Department of Financial Services Superintendent Maria T. Vullo. The decision remands the NRA’s case to the lower court – reviving the NRA’s claims that Vullo, at the behest of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, violated the NRA’s First Amendment rights when she urged banks and insurers to cut ties with the NRA in 2018.
“This victory is a win for the NRA in the fight to protect freedom,” says NRA President Bob Barr. “This is a historic moment for the NRA in its stand against governmental overreach. Let this be clear: the voice of the NRA membership is as loud and influential as ever. Regulators are now on notice: this is a win for not only the NRA, but every organization who might otherwise suffer from an abuse of government power.” READ MORE
NRA Defends Freedom in Supreme Court Argument
NRA Press Release
March 18, 2024
The U.S. Supreme Court today heard oral arguments in the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) v. Maria T. Vullo case – one of the nation’s most important First Amendment matters. Vullo is the former financial regulator in New York who tried to “financially blacklist” the NRA in 2018.
The NRA argues that Vullo, at the behest of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, took aim at the NRA and used the regulatory power of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) to financially blacklist the NRA – coercing banks and insurers to avoid ties with the Association in order to suppress its pro-Second Amendment speech.
The NRA argues that Vullo’s actions were meant to silence the NRA – using “guidance letters,” backroom threats, and other measures to cause financial institutions to “drop” the Association. READ MORE
The Stage is Set: A Moment of Truth
NRA Press Release
March 17, 2024
Arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court are set for Monday, March 18, in the NRA v. Maria T. Vullo case. The NRA received support from across the political spectrum – as legal experts, constitutional scholars, and advocacy groups eye one of the most important First Amendment cases in history.
“This case is important to the NRA and all advocacy organizations who rely upon the protections of the First Amendment,” says NRA counsel William A. Brewer III. “Many groups will benefit when the Court reminds government officials that they cannot use intimidation tactics, backdoor censorship, or regulatory blacklisting to silence those with whom they disagree.”
Brewer adds, "Clearly, the NRA suffered financially as a result of the 'blacklisting campaign' undertaken by Vullo at the behest of Governor Cuomo. The NRA will pursue monetary damages – for the damage it sustained.” READ MORE
The NRA Gains Support from Across the Political Spectrum in its Supreme Court Challenge to New York’s Blacklisting Effort
NRA Press Release
January 17, 2024
The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) is received a wave of support for its First Amendment case before the U.S. Supreme Court, NRA v. Maria T. Vullo. Twenty-two amicus briefs representing more than 190 individuals and organizations were filed in support of the NRA’s position, including a filing by several of the nation’s foremost First Amendment scholars. The amicus briefs also include a joint filing by dozens of congressional Republicans and filings by 25 state attorneys general. The support came from across the political spectrum.
On November 3, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court granted cert review of a Second Circuit decision, dated September 2, 2022, that dismissed the NRA’s claims against Vullo, the former head of the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS), for her role in a 2018 “blacklisting campaign” against the Association.
“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,” says NRA counsel William A. Brewer III. “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.” READ MORE
NRA Files Cert Petition with U.S. Supreme Court; Seeks Review of Case Against Former New York Governmental Official Tied to “Blacklisting Campaign”
NRA Press Release
February 7, 2023
The NRA today filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking review of a controversial judgment issued by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in NRA v. Maria T. Vullo. The matter in question is one of the nation’s most high-profile First Amendment cases. First Amendment scholar Eugene Volokh joins as counsel on the brief.
As the former Superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS), Vullo, at the behest of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, allegedly wielded DFS's regulatory power to financially blacklist the NRA – coercing banks and insurers to cut ties with the Association, in order to suppress its Second Amendment speech. The lawsuit's allegations are explosive and include backroom threats by Vullo against regulated firms, accompanied by offers of leniency on unrelated infractions if regulated entities agreed to blacklist the NRA. READ MORE
Judge Rules NRA May Replead Selective Enforcement Claim in New York Case
NRA Press Release
June 1, 2020
Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors announced today that its client, the National Rifle Association of America (“NRA”), received a favorable ruling in connection with its Motion for Leave to file a Second Amended Complaint in its case against New York State Department of Financial Services (“DFS”), New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and former DFS Superintendent Maria T. Vullo (“Vullo”).
In a June 1, 2020, order, U.S. Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel granted the NRA’s request to replead its selective enforcement claim. READ MORE
In Lawsuit Against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and State Regulators, NRA Says Secret, Sealed Documents Show Conspiracy to Deprive Gun Groups of Insurance
NRA Press Release
December 23, 2019
Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors announced today that its client, the National Rifle Association of America (“NRA”), filed a Motion for Leave to file a Second Amended Complaint against the New York State Department of Financial Services (“DFS”), New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and former DFS Superintendent Maria T. Vullo (“Vullo”).
In a filing on December 20, 2019, the NRA claims to have acquired compelling evidence from Lloyd’s America, Inc. (“LAI”) that Vullo and DFS “leveraged DFS’s considerable power… to inflict targeted harm on ‘gun programs’ – irrespective of whether those programs violated the law.” The NRA claims that it was only able to obtain the documents by promising to file them under seal. Therefore, several exhibits that accompany the gun group’s court filing are filed under seal. READ MORE
The NRA Sues New York Governor Andrew Cuomo; New York State Department of Financial Services Over Alleged Attack on First Amendment Rights
NRA Press Release
May 11, 2018
On May 11, 2018, the NRA filed a lawsuit against the New York State Department of Financial Services (“DFS”), New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and DFS Superintendent Maria T. Vullo alleging violations of the NRA’s First Amendment rights. READ MORE