House Republican Jim Jordan is lauding the Supreme Court siding with the National Rifle Association in a recent ruling as a "big win for freedom."
On Thursday, the Court was undivided in their agreement to reverse a lower-court ruling that tossed out the NRA's lawsuit against a former New York state official who urged banks and insurance companies to cut ties with the gun rights group.
"The Supreme Court unanimously backed the National Rifle Association in a First Amendment ruling that could make it harder for state regulators to pressure advocacy groups," the 60-year-old Ohio representative wrote on X in response to the decision. "BIG WIN for freedom!"
The ruling stems from an incident involving Department of Financial Services Superintendent Maria Vullo when she made the alleged request following the 2018 mass shooting at a Parkland, Florida high school that left 17 people dead, CNN reported.
"Ultimately, the critical takeaway is that the First Amendment prohibits government officials from wielding their power selectively to punish or suppress speech, directly or (as alleged here) through private intermediaries," Justice Sonja Sotomayor wrote in her opinion.
The ruling revives the NRA's suit that claims Vullo violated the group's free speech rights.
When Vullo was part of the Cuomo administration she issued guidance letters that urged companies regulated by the Department of Financial Services to evaluate risks "including reputation risks," that may arise from their dealings with the NRA.
Some companies reacted by cutting ties with the association. The group says the state blacklisted them and threatened the companies with retaliation if they didn't stop doing business with them.
It claims that it violated the NRA's rights.
The opinion does not shield the NRA and other advocacy groups from regulation, the Associated Press reported.
