On Friday, the National Rifle Association's Executive Director Chris Cox announced the organization would endorse Donald Trump, according to Fox News. The announcement came when Cox introduced Trump at the NRA-Institute for Legislative Action leadership forum in Louisville, Kentucky.
His statement was straightforward: "I'm officially announcing the NRA's endorsement of Donald Trump for president." The NRA also released a statement on Twitter announcing the endorsement.
Officials from the NRA told Fox that the group was more excited about him than it had been about previous GOP nominees like Mitt Romney and John McCain, whom it didn't endorse until further along in the election. "Every total gun ban [Hillary Clinton] dreams, every confiscation scheme that she craves will stand up in her court, and we'll all be kissing our Second Amendment freedom goodbye," CEO Wayne LaPierre said during a separate speech, following similar remarks from Cox.
Trump echoed that sentiment during his own remarks at the Kentucky event: "Hillary Clinton wants to abolish the Second Amendment," Trump said. "Just remember that. We're not talking about change here. We're not going to let that happen." Trump called the endorsement a "fantastic honor," promising not to "let down" the controversial group.
"The Second Amendment to our Constitution is clear," the candidate's website reads. "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed upon. Period. The Second Amendment guarantees a fundamental right that belongs to all law-abiding Americans. The Constitution doesn't create that right—it ensures that the government can’t take it away."
Donald Trump's son, Eric, shared his excitement behind the announcement on Twitter:
Great to see my father at the @NRA convention! As an avid marksman, the 2nd amendment is so important to me!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 https://t.co/1tShXqQKlF
