By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
The National Rifleman’s Association (NRA) is the largest association of gun rights advocates in the country. The NRA’s Institute for Legislative Affairs (NRA-ILA) rates and endorses candidates for public office based on their positions on protecting Americans Second Amendment rights.
In the First Congressional District of Alabama, the NRA-ILA has given incumbent Congressman Jo Bonner (R) from Mobile an A rating and an official NRA endorsement. According to the NRA-ILA’s election website an A rating means: “Solidly pro-gun candidate. A candidate who has supported NRA positions on key votes in elective office or a candidate with a demonstrated record of support on Second Amendment issues.”
In the Second Congressional District of Alabama, the NRA-ILA endorses incumbent Congresswoman Martha Roby (R) from Montgomery. The NRA-ILA gave the freshman Republican an A-rating. Her opponent, Therese Ford (D) received a ? rating from the NRA-ILA. According to their website, a “?” means: “Refused to answer the NRA-PVF Candidate Questionnaire, often an indication of indifference, if not outright hostility, to gun owners’ and sportsmen’s rights.”
Similarly in the Third Congressional District of Alabama the NRA-ILA endorsed incumbent Congressman Mike Rogers (R) from Saks. The NRA-ILA gave Rep. Rogers an A-rating. His opponent, John Harris (D) from Opelike received a ? rating from the NRA-ILA.
In the Fourth Congressional District the NRA-ILA endorses incumbent Congressman Robert Aderholt (R) from Haleyville. Rep. Aderholt received an A-rating. His opponent, Alabama State Representative Daniel Boman (D) from Sulligent received a C-rating. According to their website a C is: “Not necessarily a passing grade. A candidate with a mixed record or positions on gun related issues, who may oppose some pro-gun positions or support some restrictive legislation.”
In Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District the NRA-ILA endorsed incumbent Republican Mo Brooks. Rep. Brooks received an A-rating from the gun group. His Democratic opponent, Charles L. Hollie received a ? rating.
In the Sixth Congressional District of Alabama, the NRA-ILA endorsed incumbent Rep. Spencer Bachus. Bachus received an A-rating; while his opponent, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Penny Huggins Bailey (D) from Leeds received a ?-rating.
The NRA-ILA declined to endorse a candidate in the Seventh Congressional District. Challenger Don Chamberlain (R) from Selma received an AQ rating from the group. According to the NRA’s election website, an AQ rating means: “A pro-gun candidate whose rating is based solely on the candidate’s responses to the NRA-PVF Candidate Questionnaire and who does not have a voting record on Second Amendment issues.” Incumbent Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D) from Selma received a C rating.
