Explanation of Ratings

Candidates who have established a voting record, either in the office for which they are running or in another elected office, are evaluated primarily on the basis of that voting record. However, sponsorship of pro or anti-gun legislation and other such factors can affect their grade. These incumbent candidates are marked with an asterisk (*).

If an incumbent or challenger has not established a voting record or demonstrated his or her position in some other way, that candidate is evaluated on the basis of his or her responses to the GOA Federal Candidate Survey or public statements.

Every candidate, whether an incumbent or challenger, begins with an “A” and is then down-graded on the basis of each antigun position or vote.

A+: Pro-Gun Leader. Carries pro-gun bills, works with pro-gun groups and organizes against anti-gun legislation, speaks out for Second Amendment rights.

A: Pro-Gun Voter. Philosophically sound. Always with pro-gun leadership but takes no leadership role.

A- to B-: Pro-Gun compromiser. Generally leans our way but occasionally supports a particular anti-gun proposal.

C & C-: Leans Our Way occasionally. No philosophical commitment. Must be constantly pressured by the pro-gun movement or, if left alone, will vote against us.

D & D-: Likely Anti-Gun. Normally with the anti-gun movement, but strong pressure can sometimes move them into a non-vote (abstention) or an occasional pro-gun vote, if they believe voting against us could cause their defeat.

F: Anti-Gun Voter. A philosophically committed anti-gunner. Does not carry anti-gun bills but can always be counted on to vote against us.

F-: Anti-Gun Leader. Outspoken antigun advocate who carries or cosponsors anti-gun legislation, plots and plans with anti-gun organizations to take away our Second Amendment rights.

?: The candidate did not answer his or her questionnaire.