NRA Engages Former Solicitor General to Lead Litigation in First Amendment Case

Fairfax, VA—Yesterday, the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) announced that it has retained former United States Solicitor General Noel Francisco to lead the Association’s continued legal efforts against public officials who weaponized government against the NRA and its members. Mr. Francisco served as the 47th Solicitor General of the United States from 2017 to 2020 and is Partner-in-Charge of the Washington D.C. Office of the Jones Day law firm.

“I am pleased to announce that the NRA has engaged with Mr. Francisco and Jones Day to represent the NRA and our millions of members as we conclude this important legal matter,” said Doug Hamlin, NRA Executive Vice President & CEO. “Mr. Francisco is well regarded in the legal community and served at the highest levels in our federal government. A strong advocate for constitutional freedoms, Mr. Francisco will be a trusted voice for NRA members in the courtroom.”

Mr. Francisco’s retention comes at a pivotal time when the NRA seeks to hold government officials accountable for actions that violated the Association’s right to free speech. In May of this year, with the assistance of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Eugene Volokh, a UCLA Law School professor, the United States Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling in the landmark NRA v. Vullo First Amendment case. The Court decided that the NRA had properly stated a claim that actions taken by Ms. Vullo to coerce banks and insurers to stop doing business with the Association suppressed NRA’s pro-Second Amendment speech. The case will now continue, with the NRA seeking monetary damages.

“The Supreme Court rightly decided that government agencies cannot be permitted to be weaponized against the American people,” continued Hamlin. “I have full confidence in Mr. Francisco’s ability to litigate and look forward to a successful conclusion to this legal fight.”

To ensure that the interests of the Association and its members are being advanced and protected, the NRA will continue to examine its existing relationships with outside vendors and counsel.