NRA, antigun group back same candidates
Copyright © 2002 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
LEWISTON — A Maine anti-handgun group and the pro-gun National Rifle Association are supporting some of the same candidates for the Maine Legislature.
Eighteen candidates for office have obtained high grades —and even endorsements in some cases — from both the NRA and the Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence.
Deborah Danuski, a Democrat from Lisbon, was endorsed by the anti-handgun group, while also receiving an "A-" from the NRA on its report card of candidates. The NRA gives "A" ratings to people it considers pro-gun and supportive of its strict interpretation of the Second Amendment.
"I didn't know I had a good recommendation from the NRA," Danuski said. "I hadn't heard from them. I was writing them off."
Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence sent out questionnaires to all legislative candidates over the summer. Ten of the 11 questions asked for support for more gun rules: background checks, trigger locks and tougher penalties.
A committee went through the responses, returned by roughly half the candidates, and endorsed people in 85 races — 15 in the Senate and 60 in the House.
The NRA sent out its questionnaire about the same time, endorsing people in more than two-thirds of the races. The NRA gives ratings to the candidates: "A" ratings are given to people who are "solidly pro-gun candidates," and "B" ratings are given to those who are "generally pro-gun" but "may have made some statements or taken positions against the NRA on some issues."
Eighteen candidates were given approvals by both organizations.
Harry Gould, an NRA volunteer for Maine's 2nd Congressional District, said he was shocked to hear there was overlap between his group and the Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence.
"They're very antigun," said Gould, who lives in Hartland. "We want people who are pro-guns."
William Harwood, president of the anti-handgun group, said there is a razor-thin patch of middle ground.
"It's theoretically possible that's where they landed," Harwood said.
Danuski may be one of those who landed on that middle ground. She said she supports "simple controls" on guns, but also considers herself "mildly pro-gun."
"I know guns," she said. "I have always been able to see both sides of the coin. I've always believed both sides should come together to look at this issue."