In 2005, Library Connection received a National Security Letter (NSL) from the FBI, along with its accompanying perpetual gag order, demanding library patrons’ records. Christian and the three members of the Executive Committee of the board engaged the ACLU to file suit to challenge the constitutional validity of the NSL. Because section 505 of the USA PATRIOT Act, which authorizes the FBI to demand records without prior court approval, also forbids, or “gags,” anyone who receives an NSL from telling anyone else about receiving it, they also challenged the validity of the gag order.