NewsMax Wires
Wednesday, June 9, 2004

The heartfelt convictions behind those words demonstrate why in 1980, for the first time in its long history, NRA formally endorsed a candidate for president of the United States.

In its endorsement, NRA left no doubt as to where the Association stood on Ronald Reagan: "Very clearly, Governor Reagan – a long-time member of NRA – shares our fervent belief in the absolute meaning of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution: that the Right to Keep and Bear Arms applies to the individual citizen and that it is a right inviolate, which cannot be abridged."

As NRA members mourn the loss of this great champion of freedom, we look back with respect at the forceful speech President Reagan delivered at the NRA Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Ariz., in 1983.

President Reagan received the Association's highest honor, Honorary Life Member, in that year for his leadership in defense of America's unique liberties.

Editor's note: