NRA target of fiery verbal shots by top state Republican - WKRN, Nashville News, Nashville Weather and Sports

NRA target of fiery verbal shots by top state Republican

The National Rifle Association (NRA) was the target of some fiery verbal shots Thursday from a top Tennessee Republican.

Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey accused the gun rights lobbying group of "trying to bully" Tennessee lawmakers.

His comments stem from the NRA's strong support in next month's primary for an opponent of House Republican Caucus Chair Debra Maggart.
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The NRA has been running ads against Rep. Maggart who represents an area of the northern Nashville suburbs.
 
She's accused of not pushing a vote this past year on a controversial bill allowing guns in private parking lots.

The Lt. Governor did not hold back when reporters asked him about the NRAs opposition to the House Republican Caucus leader

"They have probably spent more money in this one race than they have spent in Tennessee in the last 10 years," Ramsey said. "I don't know if they have ever put $75,000 of cash."

He continued, "You know I have never had a special interest go this far, and the ironic part of it is we agree with them on most of these issues."

The Lt. Governor said he still talks to NRA chief lobbyist Chris Cox who pushed the "guns-in-parking lots bill," and the opposition against Rep. Maggart.  

"We are friends, but I hope we can find common ground when this issue comes up again," said the Lt. Governor in reference to the guns in parking lots bill.

He called it a property rights issue instead of a Second Amendment issue.