NRA endorses Democrat Chris Koster for governor

Chris Koster picked up another endorsement usually reserved for Republican candidates.

The National Rifle Association’s Political Victory Fund announced support for Koster Tuesday, the Democratic candidate for Missouri governor. It goes along with other political groups’ endorsements of the state’s Attorney General, such as the Missouri Farm Bureau, who endorsed its first Democrat for governor in a century this year.

Both Koster and his Republican opponent, Navy SEAL and author Eric Greitens, have “A” ratings from the NRA. However, NRA-PVF chair Chris Cox cited Koster’s public voting record in regards to firearm legislation. As a Republican state senator, Koster supported the 2003 law that allowed concealed carry permits in the state, as well as his work as the Democratic Attorney General in battling lawsuits against the state’s gun laws.

“I am pleased to receive the endorsement of the NRA,” Koster said in a written statement. “As a rural prosecutor, State Senator, and now as Attorney General, I have long defended Missouri’s hunting heritage and Second Amendment rights. As Governor, I pledge to continue to protect the traditions and values of people across Missouri.”

Koster is the only Democrat the NRA-PVF endorsed for a statewide office. Greitens spent Tuesday campaigning with vice presidential candidate Mike Pence in Missouri. Greitens gained some national attention for his television ads that feature him shooting guns. Campaign spokesperson Austin Chambers downplayed the endorsement, though.

“We’re not gonna win the career politician insider endorsement contest,” Chambers wrote in an email. “But no one is stronger than Eric on 2nd amendment issues and no one will fight harder to grow jobs and clean up the same old politics as usual holding Missouri back.”

Koster is currently a defendant in a Cole County lawsuit involving gun laws. University of Missouri law professor Royce Barondes sued the school last year for denying people the ability to carry concealed their legal firearms both on campus and keeping them in their cars. Last month, attorneys Ed Greim and Alan Simpson added Koster to the lawsuit, claiming he failed to intervene for Barondes and defend his “rights to keep and carry a firearm for self-defense.”

While Koster did get involved in August regarding the issue of keeping guns in cars on campus, Greim told ABC 17 News Koster was “desperate” to avoid becoming a defendant, and his action didn’t take strong action regarding the school’s gun policy.

Missouri Democratic Party executive director Crystal Brinkley told ABC 17 News she was not concerned with an NRA endorsement of a Democratic candidate.

“The Democratic party has a very large tent that supports candidates to have an open dialogue on any number of issues, including the Second Amendment,” Brinkley said. “Koster has long supported programs such as a gun docket to reduce crime in urban areas while maintaining Missouri’s hunting heritage, and the Democratic party is proud to have him as our nominee for Governor.”

Cox also liked Koster’s comments regarding Senate Bill 656, which would allow “permitless” carry of firearms in public, create a “stand your ground” rule in Missouri and extend the use of a firearm on a home intruder to relatives and baby sitters. Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed the bill in June, but the legislature could override it next week. While Cox appreciated Koster’s support of the bill, Becky Morgan with Missouri’s chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America felt the support was :out of touch.”

“Chris Koster’s support of Senate Bill 656 is in line with NRA leadership, but it’s out of touch with the majority of Missouri residents – including those who live in gunowning households – who support our permit requirement for concealed carry,” Morgan said.