Government Officials Who Abuse Their Power Should Not Get Immunity

Earlier this month, the National Rifle Association filed a petition with the United States Supreme Court in NRA v. Vullo. At stake is a question that reaches far beyond any one organization: Should government officials be allowed to use their power to punish people for their political beliefs and then claim immunity from accountability?

The case began when Maria Vullo, then head of New York’s Department of Financial Services, used her regulatory authority to pressure banks and insurance companies to cut ties with the NRA, where I serve as CEO and executive vice president. She did so because she opposed our stance on the Second Amendment. According to our complaint, Vullo made it clear to regulated financial institutions that doing business with the NRA could bring those institutions additional scrutiny — or worse.

DH

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Doug Hamlin

Doug Hamlin is the CEO and Executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association.

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Earlier this month, the National Rifle Association filed a petition with the United States Supreme Court in NRA v. Vullo. At stake is a question that reaches far beyond any one organization: Should government officials be allowed to use their power to punish people for their political beliefs and then claim immunity from accountability?

The case began when Maria Vullo, then head of New York’s Department of Financial Services, used her regulatory authority to pressure banks and insurance companies to cut ties with the NRA, where I serve as CEO and executive vice president. She did so because she opposed our stance on the Second Amendment. According to our complaint, Vullo made it clear to regulated financial institutions that doing business with the NRA could bring those institutions additional scrutiny — or worse.