Marion Hammer

Last updated

Marion P. Hammer
55th President of the National Rifle Association of America
In office
1995–1998

Following the February 14, 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in which Nikolas Cruz killed fourteen students and three staff members using an AR-15 style rifle, Hammer participated in Senate and House committee meetings to advocate for the NRA. On July 13, 2018, Hammer filed federal and state lawsuits seeking over $2 million in damages from five men who she claimed had harassed her in response to her appearances in these meetings. [49] [50] In court filings, she claimed to have been harassed in person, through phone calls and via email. [51] [49]

On November 28, 2018, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle dismissed Hammer's claims against Lawrence Sorensen, a California attorney who had sent her two emails on March 24 with graphic images of gunshot wounds. Justice Hinkle said that Sorensen's emails, which he described as "disgusting" were protected by the First Amendment. [50] Justice Hinkle said that, "The photographs were graphic, partly because they apparently depicted actual injuries. But images as graphic, or nearly so, can be seen in movies and video games, on cable if not also network television, and in medical literature. The photographs were germane to the policy debate that Ms. Hammer regularly participated in and Mr. Sorensen apparently sought to join. Sending these photographs, at least in these circumstances, was not tortious. And treating them as tortious would violate the First Amendment." [50] The dismissal is "limited to Sorensen". [50]

See also

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References

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National Rifle Association of America
Preceded by President of the NRA
1995–1998
Succeeded by