Posted on 07/13/2010 11:34:50 AM PDT by neverdem
For the record, the NRA-PVF has not yet made an endorsement in the Nevada U.S. Senate race. In fact, there have been no announced endorsements for any U.S. Senate seat for the November general electionsperiod.
For several reasons, we generally do not announce ratings or endorsements until closer to the elections. There are still votes to be graded and other information to be evaluated prior to issuing an accurate grade as Election Day nears.
The NRA-PVF looks at the entirety of a candidates record. We start with the candidates voting record (if any), along with answers to questionnaires, statements and floor speeches the candidate makes on Second Amendment issues, as well as any action the candidate may have taken as a committee member or leader.
Our endorsements are not given lightly, nor are they issued in every race. An NRA-PVF endorsement is something that has to be earned. As we do every election year, we wait until all the votes are taken and evaluate a candidates entire record. Making a decision prematurely, before votes are taken, risks giving politicians a free passsomething we cant and wont allow.
It is important to note that the NRA is a single-issue organization. Our ratings and endorsements are based solely on a candidates support for, or opposition to, our Second Amendment rights. Other issues, as important as they may be to many people, do not and cannot play any role in those decisions. NRA represents a broad coalition of American gun owners, who are bound together by their support for the right to keep and bear arms.
For us to factor non-gun-related issues into our ratings would foolishly divide our unified base of support on the Second Amendment. This policy has served NRA and gun owners well over the past three-plus decades, making us the nations pre-eminent pro-Second Amendment advocacy group.
We fully understand that voters must take into account a variety of issues when deciding for whom to vote. We respect that. It is our responsibility, however, to provide voters with information solely on a candidates position on gun-related issues so that they may factor that consideration in addition to other issues.
Admittedly, Senator Reids record is not perfect; few politicians records are. For a number of years (primarily in the 1990s) Sen. Reid had some problematic votes on our issue. But in the last five years, he has dramatically improved his record on our issue, so the NRA-PVF would be irresponsible if it did not give due consideration to those recent votes and actions. There is no doubt that, as Senate Majority Leader, Reid has supported efforts to protect Americans gun rights, both by voting FOR pro-gun measures AND preventing anti-gun legislation from reaching the Senate floor.
In 2004, Sen. Reid voted against efforts to reauthorize the Clinton assault weapons ban and early last year, flatly stated he would oppose any effort to reinstate an assault weapons ban if the Senate were to vote on it in the future. In 2005, Sen. Reid was instrumental in Senate passage (and eventual enactment into law) of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). That law shut down reckless lawsuits against gun manufacturers and dealers, which attempted to hold them liable for the misuse of firearms by criminals. Sen. Reid also cosponsored the PLCAA in the previous Congress and voted against the Feinstein Amendment to ban so-called assault weapons and the Kennedy Amendment that would have banned most hunting ammunition.
Sen. Reid voted for legislation, which became law in 2006, to prohibit gun confiscation during states of emergency. He also voted for legislation to allow commercial airline pilots to be armed in the cockpit to protect their passengers and crew.
In the last two years, Sen. Reid voted for the Ensign Amendment to repeal the Washington D.C. gun ban and restore self-defense rights in our nations capital. He cosponsored similar legislation -- S.1414 -- in the 108th Congress. He also voted for an amendment to allow law-abiding citizens to carry firearms for self-defense in national parks and wildlife refuges. This federal policy change took effect on February 22. In addition, Sen. Reid voted last year for the Thune-Vitter Amendment to provide national reciprocity for state Right-to-Carry permits. Sen. Reid also voted twice for the Wicker Amendment allowing Amtrak passengers to include firearms in their checked luggage. In his capacity as Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid made votes on all of these amendments procedurally possible. And these are but a few examples of Senator Reids support and leadership on Second Amendment issues.
All of which leads to a very serious question for all NRA members and gun owners who oppose Sen. Reid to contemplate: who would take Reids place if he loses his raceand his critically important position as Senate Majority Leader? Remember, the Senate Majority Leader is the gatekeeper who decides which legislation will be considered on the Senate floor. If Sen. Reid loses, the next candidate for Majority Leader is very likely to be Chuck Schumer or Dick Durbintwo of the most anti-gun U.S. Senators in history!
It is critical to the defense of the Second Amendment that we have pro-gun majorities in the U.S. Congress. While no endorsement has yet been issued in this race, nor any other U.S. Senate race for the November general election, rest assured that we will make all of these announcements at the appropriate time and in light of our election policy.
Wonder if they’re feeling some heat?
Looks like they’ve been taking a lot of flak for suggesting that they might endorse Harry Reid...
But they might be tilting that way, given the pains they take in the article to explain why such an endorsement wouldn’t be total heresy. If they endorse Reid, I’ll definitely resign. If they don’t endorse Angle, I will probably resign.
Not now, strong maybe later.
Hubby just received notice that his NRA renewal is past due!!! sent them a notice we would not renew until we see if the NRA supports Harry Reid!!! if they do hubby’s membership is HISTORY.
If they endorse the bastard they will lose far more members that they ever dreamed possible!
I have been ripping the NRA mail up when I recieve it. I am done no matter what they decide.
Proof that the NRA does not give credence to the fact that the GPO/Tea Party could, or will, take over the Senate.
NRA, you are a whorganization that is no different than the RATS and RINO's.
My objection is the paragraph where they say if Reid loses, the next candidate for Majority Leader of the Senate would be either Chuck Schumer or Dick Durbintwo of the most anti-gun U.S. Senators in history! They are assuming that the Senate will STILL be in control of the dems. I have a strong feeling that the Republicans will take back the Senate in November and hand the Leadership over to a Republican. Sharron Angle, who was given an A rating by the GOA and who is running against Reid will win and give the Senate a great pro-gun Senator.
All I ask is that they endorse the most pro RKBA candidate. They keep doing that, I’ll keep sending money. Period.
Quite an assumption on thier part and only half the equation. The GOP looks like it may take the house, and it takes both houses of congress to pass legislation. They need to oppose Ried just on general principals, the guy is a commie bastard. THAT'S RIGHT I SAID IT.
I live in rural N Nevada. I personally know 5 people in a very sparse area that feel the same way you do.
We are not happy that the NRA would even think about endorsing Reid.
This state has the highest unemployment in the country.
This state has the highest bankruptcy rate in the country.
This state has the highest rate of foreclosures in the country.
We already have a state loaded with persons who carry more often than we will admit.
We live rural & we have all kinds of predators for our livestock.
He is called DIRTY HARRY for a reason.
If the NRA has a pair, they will look very hard at the land swap & the $61 million of ‘improvements’ that constitute a ‘gun range’ on 2900 acres of formerly FEDERAL land near Las Vegas.
The value of contracting work in Nevada doesn’t match to this cost. PERIOD.
While I support having a public gun range——the cost of $61 million dollars is very suspect.
NRA should look long & hard at this before such costs scare other public locations from even considering such a development.
I am researching the GOA....Gun Owners of America.
I decided to NOT renew my NRA membership after the disgraceful deal they made with the devil last month. The NRA sent at least 3 separate emails to its membership, “clarifying” its position on that decision. Apparently they took some pretty significant heat from members across the country. And now the NRA will consider backing a disgraceful, radical leftist who would sell out the right to keep and bear arms in a HEARTBEAT if he thought the left could get by with overturning the 2nd amendment. Unbelievable.
You will find they are a tiny group that has never accomplished anything for gun rights, and the the anti-gunners don't fear in the least. They seem to exist primarily to attack and siphon support and money from the NRA.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.