Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tn.) on Thursday made the following statement on the U.S. Senate’s decision Thursday to consider gun legislation: “I’m always ready to defend and debate the Second Amendment constitutional rights of Tennesseans. In fact, I look forward to sponsoring and voting for amendments that strengthen those rights. To be unwilling to defend and debate Second Amendment rights on the Senate floor would be like joining the Grand Ole Opry and being unwilling to sing.” In its most recent ranking of the senator, the National Rifle Association gave Senator Alexander an “A rating.”