The NRA sued the New York Department of Financial Services, arguing regulators had coerced insurers against promoting policies by gun-rights group. But regulators, led by former Superintendent Maria Vullo, argued they were simply pointing out insurers might face legal exposure for doing business with a gun group during an era of mass shootings and major lawsuits – and the NRA had no business peddling insurance.
A U.S. District Court threw out most of the NRA’s case but allowed a First Amendment fight over whether Vullo was simply voicing an opinion, as allowed under the First Amendment, or coercing businesses she regulated, which is not allowed. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the claim of coercion not plausible and dismissed the case entirely.