NRA Portrays New Yorkers as Mobsters in Virginia Ad

Updated 3:30 p.m. ET

The National Rifle Association has released an ad in which a man portraying a mobster from New York says Virginia voters should support Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell if they "know what's good for you."

Watch the spot, which Politico reports is part of a half-million dollar campaign in Virginia by the gun-rights group, at left.

"A while back, our New York Mayor Bloomberg came down here to take away some of your Virginia gun rights," a man says in the spot, in a Sopranos-like accent. "You see, the mayor thinks you guys are responsible for our New York crime problem. But when Mayor Bloomberg got down here, your guy, Bob McDonnell, kicked him out of Virginia. Now that was very disrespectful."

Contacted about what the spot meant with the claim that McDonnell "kicked [Bloomberg] out of Virginia," an NRA representative said it was a reference to the fact McDonnell sent Bloomberg a "cease and desist" letter. He also pointed to McDonnell's work with the legislature to make sure sting operations would be illegal.

"So now I'm here to make sure Mr. McDonnell doesn't get in New York's way again," the man continues in the ad, as Italian-style music plays in the background. "Listen to me: When you vote, I strongly suggest you forget about your freedoms and your Mr. Second Amendment Bob McDonnell. I want you to do it for New York. If you know what's good for you."

The spot then cuts to a shot of McDonnell, who an announcer says is "defending Virginia's freedom" against the "New York mayor and his cronies." As he says "cronies," the mobster character is shown. As the NRA logo appears, viewers are encouraged to "send New York a message" and vote for McDonnell.

Contacted about the spot by CBSNews.com, Stacey Johnson, Traveling Press Secretary for the McDonnell campaign, said, "We are honored to have the strong support of the NRA in this campaign."

On Wednesday, Bloomberg announced an undercover investigation carried out at gun shows in three states. It found that "thirty-five of 47 gun sellers sold to people who said either they probably could not pass a background check or to apparent 'straw purchasers.'"

"The gun show loophole is a deadly serious problem – and this undercover operation exposes just how pervasive and serious it is," Bloomberg said in a statement. "…We'll encourage work with Congressional leaders to pass legislation closing the gun show loophole. This is an issue that has nothing to do with the Second Amendment; it's about keeping guns from criminals, plain and simple."

Bloomberg financed an ad in April in Virginia criticizing McDonnell for efforts to keep the gun show loophole open. It features the brother of one of the students killed in the Virginia Tech shootings and closes with this: "Ask Bob McDonnell why he's protecting criminals instead of protecting us."

[j123776]

If guns are necessary for our way of life, then make manditory gun ownership a course in our schools and teach our kids how to shoot before they can graduate......after all it is a Constitutional Right

[Andy_Cox]

I wish they would teach children gun safety. Most accidental shootings come from children being curious about something that no one has taught them about. I started letting my daughter shoot at 6. She is responsible with a firearm and understands that they can cause alot of damage if used improperly. Children will always be interested in things they are not allowed to have. Also no matter what laws are created criminals will still have guns. We haven't been able to eleminate illegal drugs, what makes you think they can take away all the guns. Banning guns would put law abiding citizens at risk. You may not own a gun but a potential criminal does not know that and it is always a risk for them.

[KPeters_from_UK]

One child in America dies from a gunshot wound every 90 minutes, and 30 children and adolescents under age 19 - a school classroom - die every two days as a result of firearms. Quote taken from American Medical Student Association (AMSA)

[sass30617]

I love it, way to go, NRA!!!!

I choose to own, carry and
use guns, because thats
what I want to do.

The fact that it pisses off the
Northern Yankee communist liberals
is good thing.

I do believe that, someday they will
Have their way, and the 2nd amendment (as well
As all of the bill of rights for that matter),
will be nothing more than an idol boasts when
their all finished.

[rwsmith29456]

I[m not a New Yorker, mobster, or NRA member. I have a couple of guns that I use to shoot targets and tin cans. I can't count on using them in a defensive situation because it would take about a half hour running from room to room to get ammunition, unlock and load them.

[joelbuckley2]

The first sentence of the article says,
"The National Rifle Association has released an ad in which a man portraying a mobster from New York says Virginia voters should support Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell if they "know what's good for you." "
That is actually the OPPOSITE of what the ad says. It says "forget about gun rights and McDonnell, if you know what's good for you."
While the ad is intended to generate support for McDonnell, it is through a backlash against the New Yorker mobster's opposition to McDonnell. The article says it wrong.

[Lawyers-Guns-n-Money-01]

Comprehension never was your strong suit.

(premonition)

[mejordelahistoria]

in the south they need guns otherwise how are they going to defend themselves from the government coming to take the children they rape in the compounds away?

[Monkeydung]

I am good New Yourk Monkey. I likeums gun controle so i can kill people without themz fiteing bak. I am police ocifer in newyourkey and we enjoy kikin crap outta fruitcakes who talk two much so kleap yer guns outa auer state so we can keep kiking crap outa riff-raff sitizens witout worying about retaliation. hail obama may his turd reich last long time!!!

[wyodutch]

There's a fundamental difference between us folks who value the Bill of Rights... and those of you who think those fundamental rights have no place in todays America.
.
You believe that the people should be afraid of the government... We believe the government should be afraid of the people.

[ubrew12]

You believe the people should be afraid of you. That's why you're buying up all the ammunition.

[reveal5]

Gun owners as a group are probably a pretty good bunch of folks. The NRA, on the other hand.........is an extremist organization, and Mr. LaPierre is a goof. Just so y'all know...Gun Owners of America is a much better organization. The NRA ia an embarrasment to responsible and reasonable gun owners. As for the NRA being included with the term mobsters...that fits. It is just that the NRA is like mobsters...seriously! How'sda'bout'dat? Schucks, hoisted on yer' own petard....[The dumbun NRA folks are now scratching their heads and asking..."what the hell is a petard?" A small bomb used to breach a wall or an eruption of intestinal gas.