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Well, you know, first of all, let me just say that I am a proud member of the NRA and have been, and I'm a lifetime member and will always be.

I'm an NRA-certified Expert Rifleman.

I have an A rating from the NRA.

I am in support of the NRA position on gun control.

I've always been endorsed by the National Rifle Association.

I would rather be the candidate of the NAACP than the NRA.

As an avid hunter, outdoor enthusiast, and life member of the NRA, I understand the importance of protecting the right to keep and bear arms.

I have enormous respect for Tom Daschle. The NRA has not yet taken a formal position on which I'm aware of on this matter, and I think Tom may be just getting a little ahead of things.

But there are 90 million gun owners in the United States. Only 3.5 million want the insurance and magazines and the various things you get for joining the NRA.

I look forward to working with the NRA to come up with ways in which we can use common sense approaches to reduce the level of violence that we see - in our streets, and make the American people as safe as they possibly can be.