NRA Sues LA Over Free-Speech Violation
City law requires all contractors employed by the city to disclose any association with the NRA.
The National Rifle Association filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles this week for a recent ordinance the city council unanimously passed. The ordinance, introduced by councilman Mitch O'Farrell, requires any city contractor to fully disclose any sponsorship of or contact with the NRA. O'Farrell, along with fellow anti-gun zealot Councilman Paul Krekorian, claimed that the law was needed to combat the NRA, which Krekorian described as “one of the most significant roadblocks to sensible gun safety reform at every level of government across the nation.”
NRA attorney Chuck Michel argued that “politicians are free to disagree with the NRA’s pro-freedom, firearm safety, and self-reliance message, but they aren’t free to censor it — as this would do when NRA supporters drop their NRA affiliations for fear of losing work from the city because they get put on a blacklist.” The lawsuit charges that the city’s anti-NRA ordinance is an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment’s protection of free speech and association as well as the 14th Amendment’s right to equal protection under the law.
Speaking of the NRA, its annual convention is currently underway in Indianapolis, where President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are scheduled to speak today. This will be the third consecutive year Trump has addressed the assembly. The executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action, Chris Cox, welcomed the president and his support, stating, “Donald Trump is the most enthusiastic supporter of the Second Amendment to occupy the Oval Office in our lifetimes. President Trump’s Supreme Court appointments ensure that the Second Amendment will be respected for generations to come. Our members are excited to hear him speak and thank him for his support for our Right to Keep and Bear Arms.”