NRA follow up email regarding Reid Endorsement

[JG55]

NRA e-mail: You know who’s pretty great on guns? Harry Reid

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posted at 5:47 pm on July 2, 2010 by Allahpundit

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Two readers saw our post yesterday and independently e-mailed the NRA in a panic. Surely, surely, the organization isn’t about to endorse … Harry Reid, is it?

Here’s what each of them got in reply. One simple question as you read: Why didn’t this e-mail end after the first two paragraphs?

Thank you for contacting NRA-ILA regarding the recent rumor that NRA-PVF has indicated they will endorse Harry Reid.

Regarding any potential endorsement of Sen. Reid in the upcoming elections, NRA-PVF has not yet announced any ratings or endorsements in this race. Ratings and endorsements will be determined closer to the election. It is important to note, however, that the NRA is a single issue organization and that when our ratings and endorsements are announced, they are based solely on a candidate’s 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.

In 2004, Senator Reid was rated “B†in his reelection by the NRA Political Victory Fund. Since then, as U.S. Senate Majority Leader, Senator Reid has proven himself to be a supporter of our Second Amendment rights. It would be accurate to say that few, if any, of NRA’s legislative victories in Congress during the last six years would have occurred without his active support.

As an example, he was instrumental in Senate passage (and eventual enactment into law) of the “Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act†(PLCAA)â€, which shut down reckless lawsuits against gun manufacturers and dealers that attempted to hold them liable for the misuse of firearms by criminals. Sen. Reid also cosponsored S. 659 (PLCCA) in the 108th Congress and voted against “poison pill†amendments to it, including the Feinstein Amendment to renew the federal ban on so-called “assault weaponsâ€, and the Kennedy Amendment that would have banned most hunting ammunition.

Following Hurricane Katrina, he voted for legislation, that is now federal law, 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 this congressional session, Sen. Reid voted for the Ensign Amendment to repeal Washington D.C.’s gun ban and restore self-defense rights in our nation’s 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 just took effect on February 22.

Early last year, Sen. Reid emphatically stated that he would oppose any effort to reinstate an “assault weapons†ban if the Senate were to vote on it in the future. In addition, he voted last year for the Thune-Vitter Amendment to provide national reciprocity for state Right-to-Carry permits. He also voted twice for the Wicker Amendment allowing Amtrak passengers to include firearms in their checked luggage. These votes were possible only because of Senator Reid’s actions in his capacity as Senate Majority Leader. Finally, he was among the 58 Senators who signed the pro-gun congressional amicus brief in the McDonald v. Chicago case, argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on March 2nd, which will decide whether the Second Amendment applies to all states and localities.

Most recently, the NRA worked with Sen. Reid to include in his manager’s amendment to the health care reform bill a provision that prohibits the disclosure or collection of information relating to the lawful ownership, use or storage of firearms or ammunition and also prohibits lawful gun ownership, possession and use from being used as a factor to determine eligibility or premium rates for health insurance. This provision was adopted on December 22, 2009 and was included in this legislation when it was signed into law on March 23.

Finally, Senator Reid is opposed to any anti-gun treaties that might come before the U.S. Senate for ratification.

These are a few examples of Senator Reid’s support and leadership on Second Amendment issues. Given the Senate could vote on gun-related issues in the coming months, rest assured any votes will be considered in future candidate evaluations. Regarding NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre and NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox recently attending the grand opening of the Clark County Shooting Park (CCSP) with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and other Nevada elected officials.

The CCSP is the largest shooting park in the world. This 2,900-acre state-of-the-art facility is devoted entirely to the shooting sports and is the nation’s premier shooting park. As the nation’s largest shooting sports organization, the NRA’s presence at the ribbon-cutting ceremony should come as no surprise. NRA actively worked with several Members of the Nevada congressional delegation, including Senator Reid, to ensure that this range was built. The development and construction of the CCSP has the full bipartisan support of the Nevada congressional delegation, and Nevada’s Republican Governor.

Senator Reid was instrumental in arranging not only the transfer of the then-federal lands to Clark County where the Park is located, but also in securing $61 million in funding to develop and build the Park. The Clark County Shooting Park would not have been built without his active efforts and support.

Once again, thank you for your inquiry.

If you didn’t read Erick Erickson’s post raising the alarm about the NRA and Reid, scroll through it and note how many anti-gun votes he’s taken over the years. Granted, few of them are recent — only one since 2005 — but surely his record, Angle’s record, and the prospect of thousands of angry Republican NRA donors tearing up their checkbooks point towards endorsing Angle. Right? Exit question: They’re going to end up endorsing no one in this race, aren’t they?

[Guest 6.8 AR]

If they support Reid, they are bigger fools than they think we are. There is no rationalization

that can justify endorsing Reid. angle is pro 2nd.

[RobD]

Wow, they got the NRA, wonder what bribes and blackmail they used

[Guest PapaB]

Reading that reminds me of a very old song, "I'm just wild about Harry".

[mikegideon]

Doesn't the NRA just "rate" politicians for gun friendliness?

[JayC]

And people wonder why some of us have been so negative about the NRA for the last year or so

[Steelharp]

Doesn't the NRA just "rate" politicians for gun friendliness?

Yes. They are "single issue."

[mikegideon]

Yes. They are "single issue."

I understand how some folks may want them to be an extension of the Republican party. Me... I would rather see them focus their efforts on 2A. If Reid supports the second ammendment, what's wrong with the NRA rating him that way?

They're getting ready to sue the City of Chicago for the stupid anti-gun laws they just passed. THAT's why I pay them.

[Steelharp]

I understand how some folks may want them to be an extension of the Republican party.

And there is the crux of the problem for folks that bash the NRA. It's not the NRA's problem; it's the perspective of the viewer. One has to understand the NRA's role, and take their "endorsements" with the necessary grain of salt.

[TomR]

I am a "single issue" dues payer. When the NRA or any other organization that I support with my dues takes positions that I believe are not in the best interests of the country, I will take my money elsewhere. The NRA excuse that it is a second amendment only organization is just so much BS. Presumably, they would endorse a child molesting murderer who has an A+ rating on second amendment issues.

[tntnixon]

Here's the problem that the NRA doesn't fully realize, each candidate belongs to a party. At the beginning of each Congress, leaders are chosen from the party from which that person belongs. Those leaders ultimately set the legislative course. All those "A+" democrats voted for Pelosi as Speaker of the House. Harry Reid appointed Chuck Schumer and Dianne Feinstein to their leadership posts. The party does matter, unfortunately.

But in spite of the leadership issues, Reid has a horrible overall voting record for guns rights. Of course, the NRA doesn't have the best guns rights track record either. Most laws restricting our rights have been written by the NRA.

[mikegideon]

Here's the problem that the NRA doesn't fully realize, each candidate belongs to a party. At the beginning of each Congress, leaders are chosen from the party from which that person belongs. Those leaders ultimately set the legislative course. All those "A+" democrats voted for Pelosi as Speaker of the House. Harry Reid appointed Chuck Schumer and Dianne Feinstein to their leadership posts. The party does matter, unfortunately.

But in spite of the leadership issues, Reid has a horrible overall voting record for guns rights. Of course, the NRA doesn't have the best guns rights track record either. Most laws restricting our rights have been written by the NRA.

Well, there are too many gun owners in the US for them to be 100% Republican. So, for a minute, pretend you're a Democrat and a serious gun owner. You are not going to vote Republican, because other issues totally UNRELATED to gun ownership keep you voting Democratic. The NRA only endorses Republicans because folks in Tennessee said so. Isn't it better for ALL of us if they guide everyone to gun friendly candidates?

If you expect them to support ALL your values, then you probably are giving your money to the wrong folks. They're pretty clear about their mission.

[tntnixon]

Well, there are too many gun owners in the US for them to be 100% Republican. So, for a minute, pretend you're a Democrat and a serious gun owner. You are not going to vote Republican, because other issues totally UNRELATED to gun ownership keep you voting Democratic. The NRA only endorses Republicans because folks in Tennessee said so. Isn't it better for ALL of us if they guide everyone to gun friendly candidates?

If you expect them to support ALL your values, then you probably are giving your money to the wrong folks. They're pretty clear about their mission.

I understand this sentement, however this is easily fixed by "scoring" their leadership votes the same as legislation votes. You'd probably see a completely different leadership makeup in the Democratic party.

[mikegideon]

I understand this sentement, however this is easily fixed by "scoring" their leadership votes the same as legislation votes. You'd probably see a completely different leadership makeup in the Democratic party.

I haven't read up on it. Just sayin', if Reid is more gun friendly than his competition, then I want Reid. Most likely I'm gonna get that info from the gun lobby. If the NRA takes up abortion and deficit spending, they're going to lose my money, whether I agree with their position or not. They get my money because they protect the 2A.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

How can Reid be "more gun friendly" than Angle? She

hasn't been a senator and doesn't have his voting

record, besides, the NRA isn't the most gun friendly organization out there. Whether it be guns or rapists,

Reid has betrayed the country just like Pelosi. This

isn't democrat vs republican, it is progressive vs

conservative. There isn't any such thing as a

progressive gun lover, unless he is pointing it at you.

That's what they did all the last 18 months.

[Guest HvyMtl]

Um, why do they endorse a candidate when they do not have to?

I found it extremely hypocritical of them to endorse McCain, a writer of anti-2nd A legislation (remember the attempt to close the "gun show loophole?" That was McCain...) Neither McCain nor Obama are pro-gun. Neither should have been endorsed.

So why call an endorsement for a candidate, particularly when the one they endorse is not truthfully pro-gun?

Stop watering down your endorsements. It makes them mean nothing.

(One of the reasons I do not support the NRA...)

[eapking]

They rate purely on 2A issues and they will endorse the incumbent if he's good on the 2A, even over another guy who might also be good on the 2A, and better on other issues. Reid helped a lot to build that new outdoor range in Vegas. Hence the Reid endorsement. Yeah, I know...I don't like him either.

[mikegideon]

How can Reid be "more gun friendly" than Angle? She

hasn't been a senator and doesn't have his voting

record, besides, the NRA isn't the most gun friendly organization out there. Whether it be guns or rapists,

Reid has betrayed the country just like Pelosi. This

isn't democrat vs republican, it is progressive vs

conservative. There isn't any such thing as a

progressive gun lover, unless he is pointing it at you.

That's what they did all the last 18 months.

If it's a progressive/conservative thing for them, I will stop sending them money. They need to deal with 2A. I don't care if Reid wins or loses.

[Tim Nunan]

Yes. They are "single issue."

Well, the NRA has stumbled into supporting the First Amendment when they think a law will affect the secrecy of their members list.

Edited July 5, 2010 by Tim Nunan
correction

[daddyo]

Screw the NRA. I am calling this week to cancel my membership and will promptly join SAF.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Progressives don't like guns if they are in the hands of opposition. Real

conservatives don't have a problem with guns. That 62+ million shooting

range is no reason to endorse anyone anyway. That, like so many other

wasteful projects, are attempts to grab someones vote and is money

that would have been better served in private hands to begin with. It's

another reason we should gut the tax laws and start over. Pandering

to the NRA for an endorsement is no different than building turtle

underpasses.

[RotorHead]

And to think I just renewed my membership for 2 years, was going to go for a Lifetime membership, but money is a little tight, glad I didn't. Now they will have two years to win my endorsement back.

[mikegideon]

And to think I just renewed my membership for 2 years, was going to go for a Lifetime membership, but money is a little tight, glad I didn't. Now they will have two years to win my endorsement back.

And, what if the NRA just stopped what they are doing for two years? I'm talking close the doors and goes on vacation. Reid gets replaced by some gun hating, animal loving idealist. BTW, the idealist is going to shut down McDonalds because their food is bad for you.

I'm not fond of the French. With that said, the French have allied themselves with us in the past more than once to help shoot people that are much worse.

The NRA does more than anybody to protect our rights as gun owners. I think they're very effective, and don't care how they go about getting it done. But, what do i know... I eat at McDonalds.

[mikegideon]

Progressives don't like guns if they are in the hands of opposition. Real

conservatives don't have a problem with guns. That 62+ million shooting

range is no reason to endorse anyone anyway. That, like so many other

wasteful projects, are attempts to grab someones vote and is money

that would have been better served in private hands to begin with. It's

another reason we should gut the tax laws and start over. Pandering

to the NRA for an endorsement is no different than building turtle

underpasses.

Progressives don't like guns because of the gun crime statistics. They believe that they can actually collect the guns, and make that number go away. Their logic is retarded, and attempts to trample on our rights, but it has nothing to do with Nazis. I'm giving you an aluminum helmet for Christmas

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Progressives don't like guns because of the gun crime statistics. They believe that they can actually collect the guns, and make that number go away. Their logic is retarded, and attempts to trample on our rights, but it has nothing to do with Nazis. I'm giving you an aluminum helmet for Christmas

Nah! Liberals are the ones that think like that. They are innocent. Progressives are evil. They are the ones trying

quite successfully, lately, to take over the democrats.

Only if it has an antennae on it:D