With the clap of a .30-06 caliber rifle being fired nearby, state Senate candidate David A. Renzi announced Monday he's being endorsed by the National Rifle Association.

"As a gun owner and lifetime outdoorsman, I believe that responsible gun ownership is part of our upstate way of life," the Watertown lawyer said in a prepared statement.

Mr. Renzi held a news conference at the Watertown Sportsman Inc. club, County Route 155, to promote his views on gun ownership. He also took aim at his opponent, Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent.

"There are a number of proposed gun laws that will be passed if the Senate flips (to a Democratic majority) that will restrict gun ownership," Mr. Renzi said. "And Mr. Aubertine will not be able to do a thing about it."

The senator responded in a prepared statement:

"As a gun owner and hunter myself, I have a long record of supporting the rights of gun owners and that record has earned an A rating with the NRA over the years. I worked effectively to gain bipartisan support for the junior hunter mentoring bill and I will continue to demonstrate to my colleagues the importance of hunting and gun rights, not only in Central and Northern New York, but throughout the state."

Mr. Renzi touted his "A" rating from the NRA and noted that Mr. Aubertine has a "C" rating.The NRA Web site lists grades for candidates nationwide and backs up Mr. Renzi's statement.

While the NRA describes "A" candidates a being "solidly pro-gun," a "C" rating means the "candidate may have cast some pro-gun votes in the past but has also recently cast key votes or made some statements contrary to NRA positions on key issues."

The senator's spokesman, Andrew G. Mangione, said Mr. Aubertine has voted with the Republican majority on gun-based legislation since becoming a member of the Senate in February.

Mr. Aubertine had an "A" rating from the NRA in January, Watertown Daily Times records indicate.

Also Monday, Mr. Aubertine released a statement applauding a bill signed by Gov. David A Paterson that makes it a felony to defraud the state pension system.

The Times reported Oct. 2 that Mr. Renzi had accrued state retirement credits to which he was not entitled while serving four years as legal counsel for the town of Pamelia. Mr. Renzi has not been charged with a crime and is getting back money he put toward the retirement system.

Mr. Renzi decried the senator's statement, calling it a "personal attack" and "dirty politics."