The San Francisco government has declared that the National Rifle Association is a “domestic terrorist organization”.
Now, it cannot point to any particular act of “domestic terrorism” that the NRA has engaged in. But it is a reminder that simply because someone says something, that doesn’t make it true.
After the story exits the news hypecycle, the only meaningful result will be that the citizens of San Francisco will have to foot the bill when someone sues the City of San Francisco and the City loses.
San Francisco’s local government have said they need to cut ties with people who, for example, are “associated” with the NRA. So, for example, they might stop doing business with a local contractor or perhaps even fire an employee.
The problem there is that it’s a local government punishing someone for associating with a group which engages in political advocacy, notably the protection of a federal constitutional right. And governments are restrained by the Constitution.
The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly held that this action by a government violates the First Amendment.
In short, San Francisco can declare whatever it wants.
But if it acts on it, it’s breaking the law, and San Francisco residents will be paying the bill.
