The National Rifle Association on Wednesday called on Phil Bredesen, a U.S. Senate candidate in Tennessee, to retract a misleading ad. The ad in question cites an "A" rating from the NRA, something the pro-gun group says is false.
Real independence and not party politics — that’s what’s right for Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/BmyyvJGL2e
— Phil Bredesen (@PhilBredesen) September 19, 2018
According to Chris Cox, the NRA's Institute for Legislation Action's (NRA-ILA), Bredesen's rating is actually a "D."
Cox went into greater details on Twitter:
@PhilBredesen It’s not 2002, you’re not governor and you’re not A-rated by the NRA. Its 2018, you have earned a D rating for turning your back on self-defense and supporting the Hillary/Schumer/Bloomberg gun control agenda. @VoteMarsha is a 2A champion. You’re not. #stoplying pic.twitter.com/Wi0ORRmQTv
— Chris Cox (@ChrisCoxNRA) September 20, 2018
The NRA gave Bredesen a "D" rating because:
• He supports criminalizing private firearm transfers between lifelong friends and many family members.
• He also supports a federal gun database and refuses to oppose burdensome and unnecessary restrictions on ammunition.
• As governor, he vetoed protections for concealed carry permit holders and opposed allowing law-abiding Tennesseans to carry a firearm for self-defense in the manner that best suits their needs.
"Bredesen will vote against Tennessee values in Washington. He will kowtow to the gun control elitists and support Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi’s anti-freedom agenda. His new ad is a shameful attempt to fool the voters in his home state, and NRA members won’t be fooled," Cox said in a statement.
The NRA previously endorsed Bredesen's opponent, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, a point that Cox reiterated at CPAC Knoxville.
Grateful to call @ChrisCoxNRA a friend and to have the @NRA backing me. #CPACKnoxville https://t.co/8Uxxdv7Dks
— Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) September 21, 2018