Lawsuit: Voter Told to Remove NRA Cap Says Civil Rights Were Violated

A Douglasville, Ga., man is suing Douglas County and election officials, charging his civil rights were violated when he was told to remove his NRA cap before he could vote.

Bundy Cobb of Douglasville says his civil rights were violated when he went to the Douglas County Courthouse on Oct. 24 to vote in the general election but was not allowed to because of the “NRA Instructor” cap he was wearing.

In the lawsuit, filed on Cobb’s behalf by Atlanta-based Southeastern Legal Foundation, Cobb claims he was told by a poll worker that wearing the cap was considered campaigning because the NRA is perceived to be “associated with the Republican party.” The suit was filed Monday in federal court, the Associated Press reported.

>>Read the lawsuit here

Cobb, a Vietnam Vet and NRA-certified firearms instructor, is suing Douglas County and the county election officials, challenging “the constitutionality of the alleged policy and the actions of the poll worker in forcing Cobb to remove his hat to vote,” the Southeastern Legal Foundation said in a press release.

He also is seeking punitive and compensatory damages, as well as attorney and court costs.

“The lawsuit filed today seeks declaratory and injunctiverelief to redress and prevent the rights of Mr. Cobb and all registered voters in Douglas County against unconstitutional restrictions on free speech and free association under the U.S. Constitution. This should never happen again in Douglas County, in Georgia, or in any jurisdiction in the U.S.,” Bundy’s attorney Shannon L. Goessling said in the press release.

Fox5 first reported the issue after Cobb contacted the TV station the same day the alleged incident happened. Cobb agreed to remove his cap to vote, but returned to the courthouse with a reporter and cameraman, the lawsuit stated.

>>See Fox 5’s report below, or click here.

(Photo: Bundy Cobb, wearing NRA cap. Credit: Southeastern Legal Foundation)