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NRA calls out Republicans who voted for new gun law: ‘They no longer deserve your trust’

Marion Hammer says Republicans who voted for gun law won't receive A ratings from NRA.
State Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, left, confers with gun-rights lobbyists -- Marion Hammer, the National Rifle Association's longtime Tallahassee representative, and Florida Carry's attorney Eric Friday -- about a late-filed amendment proposed to Gaetz’s open-carry gun legislation on Jan. 28, 2016, during a meeting of the House Judiciary Committee. (Kristen M. Clark / Times/Herald)
State Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, left, confers with gun-rights lobbyists -- Marion Hammer, the National Rifle Association's longtime Tallahassee representative, and Florida Carry's attorney Eric Friday -- about a late-filed amendment proposed to Gaetz’s open-carry gun legislation on Jan. 28, 2016, during a meeting of the House Judiciary Committee. (Kristen M. Clark / Times/Herald)
Published April 19, 2018|Updated April 19, 2018

In a scathing op-ed posted on website for gun enthusiasts, National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer called out the Florida Republicans who helped pass new regulations on firearms this year.

The post on Ammoland.com, titled "It's Time to Name GOP Betrayers Who Voted For Florida Gun Control," tells the publication's readers to think twice before voting for or donating to any Republican lawmaker who voted for the legislation.

Further, Hammer said those lawmakers will not receive an A or A+ rating from the NRA in the near future. The organization grades candidates on whether they support gun-friendly legislation.

"They lacked the courage to uphold their oath of office and keep their word to constituents who voted for them," writes Hammer, also the executive director of United Sportsmen of Florida. "They were in total control. They no longer deserve your trust."

Hammer also sent the post in a letter to USF and NRA members.

Lawmakers in Tallahassee vowed to take action after a shooter killed 17 students, teachers and staff with a military-style rifle at a high school in Parkland, Fla.

In March, the GOP-controlled House and Senate approved a package of gun legislation that included money to harden schools and allow some staff to carry firearms. The bill also raised the age to purchase all firearms to 21, instituted a three-day waiting period on rifles and banned the sale of bump stocks that increase the fire rate of a semiautomatic rifle.

Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill on March 9.

Hammer said the NRA supported measures to improve school security but strongly opposed any new restrictions on the sale of firearms.

She singled out Sen. Doug Broxson of Pensacola as the "linchpin" whose support for the bill was a game changer. Hammer also listed all the GOP lawmakers who voted for it, including Tampa Bay area Sens. Jeff Brandes, Bill Galvano and Dana Young and Reps. Shawn Harrison, Richard Corcoran, Lawrence McClure, Kathleen Peters, Chris Sprowls, Jackie Toledo and Chris Latvala.

"Some of these Republicans may never see an 'A' again," Hammer wrote.

Scott, who called for action after Parkland and is running for U.S. Senate, was spared from Hammer's criticism.