NRA endorses Blunt for Senate

The National Rifle Association has endorsed Republican Roy Blunt for U.S. Senate, noting what the organization called a record of standing up for Second Amendment rights.

The NRA announced its endorsement during a stop Friday at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, which is part of a six-city tour in which Blunt was joined by Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the NRA.

"Roy Blunt fights for our freedom," LaPierre said. "He earned the NRA endorsement by supporting our Second Amendment rights and hunting heritage every time. Missouri's gun owners and hunters need that level of dedication in the U.S. Senate."

Other Missouri tour stops are Columbia, Springfield, Joplin, St. Joseph and Kirksville. In addition to the endorsement, a new "Sportsmen for Roy Blunt" coalition was formed, with members from each of Missouri's 114 counties.

Blunt said he would not have supported President Barack Obama's nominations to the U.S. Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, for their interpretation of the Second Amendment.