NRA V. CUOMO, VULLO
TIMELINE
APRIL 19, 2018
DFS issues “guidance letters” to CEOs of banks and insurance cos. in NY coercing them to not do business with the NRA. The “blacklisting campaign” begins.
APRIL 19, 2018
Gov. Cuomo issues press release in which longtime lieutenant Vullo urges all insurers and banks doing business in NY to discontinue arrangements with the NRA. Read the Release
MAY 11, 2018
The NRA files suit against NYDFS, Gov. Cuomo and Vullo alleging violations of the NRA's First Amendment rights. Read the Lawsuit
JULY 20, 2018
The NRA files its Amended Complaint alleging an institutional scheme to destroy the NRA and any gun-advocacy group, in violation of First Amendment rights. Read the Complaint
AUGUST 3, 2018
The State files its Motion to Dismiss the NRA's lawsuit. Read the Motion
AUGUST 24, 2018
The ACLU submits an amicus brief in support of the NRA, alleging Defendants' actions “threaten the First Amendment rights of all advocacy organizations.” Read the Brief
This same day, the Texas Public Policy Foundation also files an amicus brief.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2018
A hearing is held in Albany, New York, regarding the Motion to Dismiss. Read a Press Report
NOVEMBER 6, 2018
U.S. District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy issues his decision i/c/w the Motion to Dismiss, upholding the NRA's First Amendment freedom of speech claims. Read the Decision
MARCH 20, 2019
The NY Law Journal reports that the NRA will be allowed to depose former NYDFS Superintendent Maria Vullo. Read the Report
AUGUST 8, 2019
The court issues a decision requiring Defendants to provide documents for the court’s review – as the NRA pursues insights into the “blacklisting campaign.” Read the Decision
AUGUST 9, 2019
The New York Law Journal reports on the court's decision, which may allow the NRA access to internal state documents after the judge's review. Read the Report
DECEMBER 5, 2019
Judge Hummel agrees to permit the NRA to file a motion to amend its complaint by December 20. The NRA intends to replead its selective enforcement claim.
DECEMBER 20, 2019
NRA files a Motion for Leave to file a Second Amended Complaint. The NRA seeks permission to replead selective enforcement claims. Read the Release
JANUARY 6, 2020
The Court denies Defendants' motion for reconsideration of the March order permitting the NRA to depose Maria Vullo. Read the Order.
FEBRUARY 5, 2020
DFS files civil charges against the NRA and issues a Notice of Hearing in connection with an investigation into insurance products offered to NRA members.
FEBRUARY 28, 2020
NRA seeks a preliminary injunction in federal court to block DFS from conducting enforcement proceedings. Read the Release
MARCH 31, 2020
The NRA receives a favorable opinion in its appeal of a prior ruling that denied the Association access to key documents. Read the Opinion
JUNE 1, 2020
U.S. Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel grants the NRA’s request to replead its selective enforcement claim. Read the Order
SEPTEMBER 22, 2022
A panel of three Democratic appointees in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals reverses repeated holdings by the trial judge and dismisses the claims against Vullo individually.
OCTOBER 6, 2022
The NRA files a petition with the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit seeking a rehearing en banc in connection with the court's recent decision to reverse holdings by the trial judge in the NRA’s First Amendment case against Vullo. Read the Petition.
FEBRUARY 7, 2023
The NRA files 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. Read the Petition.
MARCH 21, 2023
Financial and business law scholars, Brian Knight of George Mason University’s Mercatus Center and George Mocsary of the University of Wyoming College of Law, file an amicus brief in support of the NRA’s certiorari petition to the Supreme Court. Read the Amicus Brief.
APRIL 5, 2023
Eighteen Republican Attorneys General file an amicus brief in support of the NRA’s certiorari petition to the Supreme Court. Read the Amicus Brief.
On this same day, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) also files an amicus brief. Read the Amicus Brief.
NOVEMBER 3, 2023
U.S. Supreme Court grants cert review of NRA’s First Amendment case.
DECEMBER 9, 2023
The NRA announces the addition of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as co-counsel with Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors in its First Amendment case, National Rifle Association of America v. Maria T. Vullo. Read more.
JANUARY 9, 2024
The NRA files its opening brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, outlining the legal arguments in its First Amendment case, National Rifle Association of America v. Maria T. Vullo. Read the Brief.
FEBRUARY 20, 2024
Respondent Maria T. Vullo submitted a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court. Read the Brief.
MARCH 18, 2024
Oral arguments in National Rifle Association of America v. Maria T. Vullo are heard before the U.S. Supreme Court. Listen to the audio.
May 30, 2024
In a stinging rebuke of New York’s “blacklisting campaign” against the NRA, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rules for the NRA in its case against Vullo. The decision remands the NRA’s case to the lower court – reviving the NRA’s claims that Vullo, at the behest of former Governor Cuomo, violated the NRA’s First Amendment rights when she urged banks and insurers to cut ties with the NRA in 2018. Read the opinion.
June 20, 2024
Gov. Cuomo opposes lifting the stay on discovery and the NRA responds on the same day, noting that Gov. Cuomo’s “public statements [regarding the NRA] make clear that he meant to abuse his government power…” The NRA writes, “…in this age of rampant censorship and abuse of government power, the ‘real risk’ is that government officials will seek to shut down speech they dislike with impunity…”
July 29, 2024
The NRA and Vullo submit supplemental letter briefs addressing the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in National Rifle Association v. Vullo on the Court’s qualified immunity holding. Read the NRA's Letter. Read Vullos' Letter.