PoliticsHillary Clintonmartin o'malleymartin o'mally nra

Hillary Clinton, Martin O'Malley Love To Hate The NRA

The NRA threw a little hate their way before the debate.
Open Image Modal
By 

Senior Politics Reporter, HuffPost

|

WASHINGTON -- Ahead of Tuesday night's Democratic presidential debate, the National Rifle Association criticized former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley for their records on gun control.

Neither Democrat had a problem returning the favor.

When candidates were asked to name their favorite enemy, O'Malley had only four words. "The National Rifle Association," he said to cheers.

Clinton, too, named the NRA as one of her top enemies because of the group's efforts to block gun control legislation, despite the growing number of mass shootings. Earlier in the debate, she noted that 90 people die every day in the U.S. because of gun violence. Congress hasn't done anything in response.

"This has gone on too long and it's time the entire country stood up against the NRA," Clinton said to applause. "The majority of our country supports background checks, and even the majority of gun owners do."

Clinton, O'Malley and Lincoln Chafee all boasted about their F ratings from the NRA. Bernie Sanders bragged about his D- rating, too. Jim Webb was the only one in good standing with the gun group, with a 92 percent rating.

 

Related:

GOP Candidates Mock Democratic Presidential Debate

Watch Lincoln Chafee Give The Most Bizarre Answer Of The Debate

Hillary Clinton Says She's Not Ready To Take A Position On Marijuana Legalization Yet

Hillary Clinton Responds To Benghazi Questions By Defending Libya Intervention, Diplomacy

Bernie Sanders: Americans Are Sick Of Hearing About Hillary Clinton's 'Damn Emails'

The Future Democratic Presidential Nominee Thinks Black Lives Matter*

Hillary Clinton Jumps At The Chance To Defend Paid Leave Laws

Mike Huckabee Got Pretty Racist While Live-Tweeting The Dem Debate

Hillary Clinton Hesitates On Expanding Social Security

Hillary Clinton Attacks Bernie Sanders Over His Gun Record

Also on HuffPost:

Democratic Debate 2016
(01 of11)
Open Image Modal
Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton appears on screens in the press room as journalists cover the Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 13, 2015. Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton will finally square off with top rival Bernie Sanders in the party's first debate of the 2016 campaign as she seeks to prove she is the candidate to beat. AFP PHOTO/ FREDERIC J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:FREDERIC J. BROWN via Getty Images)
(02 of11)
Open Image Modal
Democratic Presidential candidates (L-R) Senator Jim Webb, Senator Bernie Sanders, Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Maryland Gov Martin O'Malley, and former Rhode Island Gov Lincoln Chafee take the stage during the first Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 13, 2015. Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton will finally square off with top rival Bernie Sanders in the party's first debate of the 2016 campaign as she seeks to prove she is the candidate to beat. AFP PHOTO/ FREDERIC J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:FREDERIC J. BROWN via Getty Images)
(03 of11)
Open Image Modal
Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders (L) speaks with Hillary Clinton during the first Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 13, 2015. Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton will finally square off with top rival Bernie Sanders in the party's first debate of the 2016 campaign as she seeks to prove she is the candidate to beat. AFP PHOTO/ FREDERIC J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:FREDERIC J. BROWN via Getty Images)
(04 of11)
Open Image Modal
Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton (R) gestures while standing beside Bernie Sanders during a photo spray of the candidates during the first Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 13, 2015. Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton will finally square off with top rival Bernie Sanders in the party's first debate of the 2016 campaign as she seeks to prove she is the candidate to beat.AFP PHOTO / FREDERIC J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:FREDERIC J. BROWN via Getty Images)
(05 of11)
Open Image Modal
Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton (L) looks on as Martin O'Malley gestures before the start of the first Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 13, 2015. Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton will finally square off with top rival Bernie Sanders in the party's first debate of the 2016 campaign as she seeks to prove she is the candidate to beat. AFP PHOTO/ FREDERIC J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:FREDERIC J. BROWN via Getty Images)
(06 of11)
Open Image Modal
Members of the media are given a preview of the debate hall at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 13, 2015, hours before the first Democratic Presidential Debate. After ignoring her chief rival for months, White House heavyweight contender Hillary Clinton steps into the ring Tuesday to confront independent Senator Bernie Sanders in their first Democratic debate of the 2016 primary cycle. Clinton will take center stage in Las Vegas joined by Sanders and three other hopefuls, and while there is unlikely to be a dramatic clash of personalities as seen in the first two Republican debates, the spotlight is likely to be on the top two candidates. The other three challengers -- former Maryland governor Martin O'Malley, ex-senator Jim Webb and former Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee -- will try to generate breakout moments to show they are electable alternatives to Clinton. AFP PHOTO / FREDERIC J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:FREDERIC J. BROWN via Getty Images)
(07 of11)
Open Image Modal
A pedestrian take a photograph of a screen showing Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, outside of the the Wynn Las Vegas resort and casino ahead of the first Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015. While tonight's first Democratic presidential debate will probably lack the name-calling and sharp jabs of the Republican face-offs, there's still potential for strong disagreements between the party's leading contenders. Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
(08 of11)
Open Image Modal
A supporter stands in front of a screen showing Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, outside of the the Wynn Las Vegas resort and casino ahead of the first Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015. While tonight's first Democratic presidential debate will probably lack the name-calling and sharp jabs of the Republican face-offs, there's still potential for strong disagreements between the party's leading contenders. Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
(09 of11)
Open Image Modal
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 13: Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) speaks during a news conference before a Democratic presidential debate sponsored by CNN and Facebook at Wynn Las Vegas on October 13, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Five Democratic presidential candidates are scheduled participate in the party's first presidential debate. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Wong via Getty Images)
(10 of11)
Open Image Modal
A sign portraying Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, as Robin Hood is pictured inside the Wynn Resorts Ltd. Las Vegas resort and casino before the first Democratic presidential debate hosted by CNN in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015. While tonight's first Democratic presidential debate will probably lack the name-calling and sharp jabs of the Republican face-offs, there's still potential for strong disagreements between the party's leading contenders. Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
(11 of11)
Open Image Modal
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 13: A worker holds a fallen sign in the spin room before the Democratic presidential debate sponsored by CNN and Facebook at Wynn Las Vegas on October 13, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Five Democratic presidential candidates are scheduled to participate in the party's first presidential debate. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Wong via Getty Images)

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your will go a long way.

Support HuffPost
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip