The National Rifle Association on Friday endorsed former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions over his primary challenger, former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville in their quest for the Republican Party’s nomination in the U.S. Senate race.
Jason Ouimet, Chairman of NRA’s political arm, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF), praised Sessions’ “steadfast support of the Second Amendment.”
“Based on your strong leadership on Second Amendment issues as a U.S. Senator and U.S. Attorney General, you have earned the highest attainable rating, an A+ from NRA-PVF. An A+ is reserved for a candidate with an excellent voting record on all critical NRA issues and who has made a vigorous effort to promote and defend the Second Amendment,” Ouimet said.
Jeff Sessions said he was honored to have the NRA’s endorsement and that it was critical that Alabama have a Senator who understands how to protect Alabamians’ Second Amendment rights.
“I am honored to have the NRA’s endorsement. The Second Amendment is a bedrock right for all Americans and it guarantees and secures our freedom and liberty,” Sessions remarked. “Powerful, well-funded national forces are bent on destroying our right to keep and bear arms. Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi are working day and night to gut the Second Amendment. I have fought Schumer and Pelosi on this issue, and I have won, and I will do so again when I return to the Senate.”
As part of their decision, the NRA praised Sessions’ work as U.S. Attorney General to stop “Operation Choke Point,” an Obama Administration program that encouraged federal regulators to harass and intimidate banks and financial institutions that have business relationships with firearm and ammunition retailers.
“NRA members and law-abiding gun owners appreciate that as Attorney General, you were instrumental in stopping ‘Operation Choke Point,’” Ouimet added. “As U.S. Senator, you demonstrated support for our right to keep and bear arms by voting multiple times against unconstitutional bans on modern sporting rifles such as the AR-15…further, we appreciate your support for Right-to-Carry Reciprocity legislation that would ensure that the nearly 20-million law-abiding Americans who can carry a concealed firearm in their home state are able to do so in any other state that does not prohibit concealed carry,” the NRA wrote.
