(Continued from page 25)

in the gallery so we'll feel safer."
• The bill ultimately failed after a tense floor debate.
• Another factor in the debates about the legislation is the NRA's score card system, which the group says it uses to advise voters. Around election time, the NRA makes charts drawing upon legislators' statements, voting records and responses to an NRA questionnaire.
• Commerford said the score cards, or political preference charts help "inform our membership as to who the best candidates are to protect their second amendment rights."
• During the vote on the Capitol guns bill, "the rumor was spread throughout our whole caucus: 'The NRA's here. This is going to be a score card bill,'" Hickey said.
• NRA member Jeff Gregg is the owner of Jeff's Gun Vault in Winner, S.D. He said he considers more than those charts when he votes.
• "I would look at it," Gregg said, "but still try to research the actual person, not solely the views of a group."
• Hickey and Rep. Stace Nelson said they think the NRA's scoring system is subjective.
• Nelson, a Fulton Republican said: "I'm a Second Amendment supporter, and I don't take my cues from any of the gun organizations. I do the right thing."
• On one piece of legislation, the two gun groups have taken different stances, a split that could put legislators in a tough position if the organizations rally their memberships.
• The NRA has endorsed a bill that would keep guns from those who are mentally ill and deemed a threat to themselves or others. Commerford said they are hoping to get this legislation passed in all 50 states.
• The South Dakota Gun Owners and its national affiliate oppose the bill.
• "This mental health legislation targets law-abiding gun owners to strip them of their right to self-defense without a crime ever being committed," said Danielle Thompson, press secretary for the National Association for Gun Rights, in an email.
• Hickey supported the bill, saying he thinks mental health should be a main part of the discussion on mass shootings.
• Nelson voted against it.
• The House passed the bill, which will go next to the Senate Judiciary Committee
• "The NRA lobbyists have not supported good bills to defend South Dakotans' constitutional rights," Nelson said. "As an NRA member, I'm disappointed," he said.
•

(Continued on page 27)