Hochul endorsed by National Rifle Association

NRA cites Hochul's "A" rating, commitment to transparency in endorsement.

The National Rifle Association's Political Victory Fund has endorsed Kathy Hochul in her race against Republican Chris Collins in New York's 27th Congressional District. Hochul is one of only two New York Democrats to earn the endorsement of the Second Amendment advocacy group.

"I am honored to receive the endorsement of the National Rifle Association, an organization that represents thousands of Western New York sportsmen," Hochul said. "As a county clerk, I was a staunch advocate for sportsmen, and I have carried through on my commitment to protect their rights in Congress."

"Kathy Hochul has a proven record of defending the Second Amendment," said Chris W. Cox, chairman of NRA-PVF. "Because of her strong support of our rights, Hochul has earned an 'A' rating and endorsement from the NRA-PVF."

The endorsement is consistent with Hochul's record on Second Amendment issues. As Erie County clerk, she streamlined the government's permit application process and provided gun shows with the staff and technology needed to ensure that sales went through quickly and safely. In Congress, she has fought to strengthen the rights of gun owners traveling from state to state and to open public lands to hunting and fishing. The text of the endorsement is available here: http://www.nrapvf.org/grades-endorsements/2012/new-york.aspx.

The NRA Political Victory Fund, or NRA-PVF, is NRA's political action committee. The NRA-PVF ranks political candidates - irrespective of party affiliation - based on voting records, public statements and their responses to an NRA-PVF questionnaire. In 2008, NRA-PVF was involved in 271 campaigns for the U.S. House and Senate, winning in 230 of those races (85 percent). 

The National Rifle Association has a membership of 4.3 million Americans, and engages in advocacy and education programs to promote and advance the Second Amendment and responsible gun ownership.