(continued from: “GRNC vs NRA: The History”)

Now, let’s take a look at each organizations rating system and compare a couple of current candidates. Understand that each organization takes a different approach to rating candidates. Both organizations issue candidates surveys as well as evaluating voting records and previous positions on gun issues.  The NRA opts for the flexibility of choosing which votes to include in their evaluations, key indicators like “critical’ and “key votes” should be noted. However, GRNC takes a purists approach to voting records by tabulating every vote a candidate has cast dealing with Second Amendment issues.

The NRA scores an incumbent with an A+ who “not only has an excellent voting record on [critical] NRA issues, but who has also made a vigorous effort to promote the Second Amendment.”  An “A” rating is issued to incumbents “who have supported NRA positions on [key votes].”

GRNC is much less subjective, by rating a candidate’s position on gun issues “by comparing their views with those of a control group of gun owners. A 4-star candidate agrees with pro-gun voters on at least 90% of gun issues, a 3-star agrees on at least 80%, a 2-star on at least 70%, a 1-star on at least 60%. A 0 star candidate agrees on less than 60% of gun issues.

To be honest, many candidates legitimately share positive ratings from both organizations, as evident by Democratic Sen. Doug Berger and Republican Phil Berger.  However, there are some stark differences and here is where it becomes evident that the NRA panders to incumbents.  For example, the casual pro-gun voter in Mecklenburg County would believe that Sen. Clodfelter’s “A+” rating from the NRA indicates he is a strong pro-gun candidate.  Clodfelter’s GRNC shows that he votes with gun owners only about 60% of the time.  For me and GRNC 60% is a failing grade.  Kind of makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

It will be interesting to see how the NRA rates Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid this fall and who they endorse.  Reid’s challenger is Tea Party-preferred candidate, Sharron Angle who is decisively conservative and pro gun.  On the other hand, Reid’s long record of voting against the Second Amendment was recently chronicled by Gun Owners of America.  GOA lists 44 reasons why Nevada gun owners should vote against Reid and why freedom loving Americans should support Angle. The question remains, will the NRA sell out to incumbency or will America’s largest pro-gun organization support a pro-gun candidate?

Here in North Carolina voters will know exactly where a candidate stands on gun issues.  GRNC’s “Remember in November” is a comprehensive evaluation that scores each candidate by tabulating their survey results, voting record, and other positions the candidate may have.  This guide will be distributed to approximately 120,000 NC gun owners this fall.

See Also: “GRNC vs. NRA: There is a big difference“

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David Regnery
Board Member, Grassroots North Carolina