Fitzgerald v. National Rifle Association
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
383 F. Supp. 162 (1974)

- Written by Sean Carroll, JD
Facts
The National Rifle Association (NRA) (defendant) had a 75-member board of directors (board). The NRA operated a publication called The American Rifleman. The publication was the NRA’s official journal, available to only NRA members. The publication was funded through NRA member dues and advertisements. Prior to the election for the board, the NRA published the list of board candidates in The American Rifleman. The publication was a vital part of the election process. Thomas Fitzgerald (plaintiff) submitted an advertisement to The American Rifleman touting his candidacy for the board. The NRA refused to publish the advertisement. Fitzgerald sued the NRA, seeking to compel publication of the advertisement.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Whipple, C.J.)
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