NRA Exposes Talarico’s Gun-Ban Agenda in New Texas Senate Ad
James Talarico wants a seat in the U.S. Senate, and the National Rifle Association is making sure Texas gun owners know what he wants to do with it: ban commonly owned firearms and standard-capacity magazines.
The NRA has released a new 30-second ad targeting the Democrat’s support for so-called “assault weapons” bans. Titled “Yes Absolutely,” the spot uses Talarico’s own words to put his gun-control positions before voters ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
The Texas ad is part of the NRA’s broader multi-million-dollar investment in congressional races nationwide, aimed at protecting and expanding pro-gun majorities in the House and Senate.
Talarico’s Own Words Make the Case
According to the NRA’s announcement, the ad features a video in which Talarico endorsed banning “assault weapons” and commonly owned magazines. It pairs that footage with a more recent NewsNation appearance.
Asked whether an “assault weapons” ban remained “on the table,” Talarico answered: “Absolutely.”
For Texans who own the firearms and magazines targeted by those proposals, that answer leaves little room for comforting campaign spin. Talarico supports federal restrictions on arms that law-abiding Americans choose for defending themselves and their families.
“James Talarico has been coming for our guns for years,” the ad states. “He would outlaw the most popular firearms in Texas.”
The NRA has dubbed Talarico “Beto 2.0,” invoking another Texas Democrat whose gun-control agenda became a defining feature of his political identity. Talarico’s continued embrace of firearm bans gives gun owners ample reason to take the comparison seriously.
The Second Amendment protects the people’s right to keep and bear arms. It does not give politicians authority to reduce that right to a list of firearms they find politically acceptable.
NRA Makes Texas Senate Race a Priority
NRA-PVF Chairman John Commerford said Talarico’s support for a federal ban should disqualify him in the eyes of Texas gun owners.
“By vowing to vote for a so-called assault weapons ban if elected to the Senate, James Talarico kicked a hornet’s nest. Nearly half of Texas households have guns, and millions of law-abiding Texans own the very rifles and standard-capacity magazines he would ban. Gun owners will decide this election—and Talarico just gave them another reason to vote.”
The NRA’s release also points to Talarico’s legislative record, including his vote against constitutional carry and support for stricter gun-control measures.
Taken together, those positions show opposition to both carrying firearms without a government permission slip and owning categories of arms targeted by gun-ban advocates. Texas voters deserve to weigh that record when considering who will represent them in Washington.
Gun Bus Tour Backs Advertising With Grassroots Outreach
The NRA is pairing its advertising campaign with its Gun Bus battleground tour and traditional get-out-the-vote operation.
The organization says the bus will make multiple Texas stops, giving members and gun owners opportunities to learn about candidates’ records, receive issue updates, and participate in local voter outreach.
The broader operation includes millions of NRA Orange Cards, targeted text messages, and door-knocking efforts across Texas and other battleground states.
Commerford said the organization is combining advertising with “boots-on-the-ground outreach” to mobilize gun owners while control of the Senate hangs in the balance.
Talarico has supplied the central issue himself. Asked whether banning commonly owned firearms remains an option, he said “Absolutely.” Gun owners should take him at his word. Electing a senator who supports those bans would give Washington’s gun-control bloc another vote against their rights. Texans have every reason to remember that when they cast their ballots on November 3.
About Duncan Johnson:
Duncan Johnson is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and unwavering defender of the Second Amendment—where “shall not be infringed” means exactly what it says. A graduate of George Mason University, he enjoys competing in local USPSA and multi-gun competitions whenever he’s not covering the latest in gun rights and firearm policy. Duncan is a regular contributor and editor-in-chief for AmmoLand News and is responsible for AmmoLand’s daily gun-rights reporting and industry coverage.