Charlotte Observer - October 7, 2010

U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell today became only the third N.C. Democrat to win the endorsement of the National Rifle Association.

"Larry Kissell's commitment to preserving our Second Amendment freedoms has earned him the ... endorsement," Chris Cox, chairman of NRA's Political Victory Fund said in a statement. "Gun owners and hunters in North Carolina can trust him to fight for their Second Amendment rights."

Kissell joins Reps. Mike McIntyre of the 7th District and Heath Shuler of the 11th as the only N.C. Democrats in either Carolina to be endorsed by the gun rights organization.

The endorsement could help Kissell in the 8th District, which stretches from Charlotte to Fayetteville through largely rural counties. He faces Republican Harold Johnson.

"I'm proud to be a consistent advocate for gun owners and sportsmen," Kissell said in a statement. "I will continue to work hard to protect these freedoms."