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Bill Lee has received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association in Tennessee's race for governor.(Photo: Wade Payne/For The Tennessean)Buy Photo
Republican candidate Bill Lee has received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association in Tennessee's race for governor.
The NRA endorsement Friday comes a day after the pro-gun group's Political Victory Fund backed U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, the Republican in Tennessee's U.S. Senate race this fall.
"Bill Lee is a staunch supporter of our Second Amendment freedoms, and we can trust him to protect our fundamental right to self-defense,” said Chris Cox, chairman of NRA-PVF.
In an interview with USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee this month[3], Lee declined to say whether he supported raising the age to purchase a firearm, but did say he was in favor of addressing "gun ownership of the mentally ill."
"I don’t think that we should look at more restrictions and more regulations on gun ownership," Lee said when asked about strengthening background checks overall.
NRA ENDORSEMENT: NRA endorses Blackburn in Senate race, launches attack against Bredesen[4]
CANDIDATES ON GUNS: Bill Lee, Karl Dean differ on arming teachers, constitutional carry[5]
Lee, a businessman from Williamson County, and former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, the Democratic nominee in the Nov. 6 race, have stark differences in belief on the role of guns in improving school safety.
Lee has supported arming teachers "to protect children," while Dean says he is opposed to the notion.
The candidates disagree on allowing residents to carry a firearm without having
