NRA endorses Altmire in race against Hart

The National Rifle Association on Thursday endorsed U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire, D-McCandless, in his bid for a second two-year term in Congress.

Altmire faces a rematch in November with former Rep. Melissa Hart of Bradford Woods, the Republican he ousted in 2006. Support from the NRA was a factor credited with helping Hart win the 4th Congressional District seat in 2000.

In a letter to Altmire, an NRA national official cited Altmire's consistent support of "the Constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen."

Hart said the Washington-based NRA typically supports incumbents if they haven't voted against NRA issues. Hart said local "sportsmen and gun club members here have supported me for many years because they know my record" for backing Second Amendment rights.