Gun Rights Group Targets Roy Cooper's Veto Record in Senate Race
The National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) has published an attack on the record of Roy Cooper, North Carolina's Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, arguing that his time as governor shows he is not the moderate he claims to be.
Snapshot
The National Association for Gun Rights lays out its case against Roy Cooper, citing his vetoes on immigration detainers, riot penalties and pistol permit repeal, an early prisoner release settlement, his federal gun control positions and his backing from GIFFORDS and Schumer. NAGR argues the record shows Cooper is less moderate than he says, and the piece is openly advocacy tied to its own campaign against him.
Key points
- Immigration: NAGR says Cooper vetoed a 2019 bill that would have made sheriffs honor ICE detainers, and that a similar measure, House Bill 10, passed in 2024 only when legislators overrode his veto.
- Riots and prisoners: The group says he vetoed a 2021 bill raising penalties for riots and civil disorder, and that his administration agreed to release 3,500 prisoners early under a 2021 settlement.
- Pistol permits: According to NAGR, Cooper twice vetoed repeal of the state's pistol purchase permit system, which ended only after a legislative override.
- Federal positions: The piece says that in 2022 he urged Congress to restore a national assault weapons ban and mandate universal gun registration, and that he backs red flag laws.
- Backing: NAGR reports that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer recruited Cooper, that Schumer's Senate Majority PAC has committed about $42 million to the race, and that GIFFORDS endorsed him.
Quick take
This is advocacy from NAGR, which says it and Gun Rights America SuperPAC ran ads, calls and texts against Cooper through Election Day on November 3. In NAGR's view, his veto record tells gun owners where he stands. It cites news reports, including CBS 17 and WRAL.
Read the full story at National Association for Gun Rights.