NRA Engages Former Solicitor General to Lead Litigation in First Amendment Case

Fairfax, VA – Yesterday, the Nationwide Rifle Affiliation of America (NRA) introduced that it has retained former United States Solicitor Common Noel Francisco to guide the Affiliation’s continued authorized efforts towards public officers who weaponized authorities towards the NRA and its members. Mr. Francisco served because the forty seventh Solicitor Common of america from 2017 to 2020 and is Companion-in-Cost of the Washington D.C. Workplace of the Jones Day regulation agency.

“I’m happy to announce that the NRA has engaged with Mr. Francisco and Jones Day to signify the NRA and our tens of millions of members as we conclude this essential authorized matter,” mentioned Doug Hamlin, NRA Govt Vice President & CEO. “Mr. Francisco is nicely regarded within the authorized group and served on the highest ranges in our federal authorities. A robust advocate for constitutional freedoms, Mr. Francisco will likely be a trusted voice for NRA members within the courtroom.”

Mr. Francisco’s retention comes at a pivotal time when the NRA seeks to carry authorities officers accountable for actions that violated the Affiliation’s proper to free speech. In Could of this 12 months, with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Eugene Volokh, a UCLA Legislation Faculty professor, america Supreme Courtroom issued a unanimous ruling within the landmark NRA v. Vullo First Modification case. The Courtroom determined that the NRA had correctly acknowledged a declare that actions taken by Ms. Vullo to coerce banks and insurers to cease doing enterprise with the Affiliation suppressed NRA’s pro-Second Modification speech. The case will now proceed, with the NRA searching for financial damages.

“The Supreme Courtroom rightly determined that authorities companies can’t be permitted to be weaponized towards the American folks,” continued Hamlin. “I’ve full confidence in Mr. Francisco’s capability to litigate and look ahead to a profitable conclusion to this authorized struggle.”

To make sure that the pursuits of the Affiliation and its members are being superior and guarded, the NRA will proceed to look at its present relationships with exterior distributors and counsel.

Integrated in 1871, the Nationwide Rifle Affiliation is America’s longest-standing civil rights group. Along with our tens of millions of members, we’re proud defenders of historical past’s patriots and diligent protectors of the Second Modification.

Observe the NRA on Fb, Instagram, and X (Previously Twitter).