COLUMBIA, MO. -- National Rifle Association officials endorsed Republican Congressman Roy Blunt in the Missouri senate race.

Blunt is battling Democratic opponent Robin Carnahan.

Both candidates want to replace retiring Senator Kit Bond.

About 150 Blunt supporters gathered at Columbia’s Midway USA for the NRA endorsement announcement.

With NRA Executives at his side, Blunt proudly accepted their endorsement in the U.S. Senate race.

“This is an election about whether we live in a country where the government is bigger than the people or whether we live in a country where the people are bigger than the government,” Blunt said.

Columbia’s Midway USA was one of six stops across the state to announce the NRA’s endorsement of Blunt. The Columbia business distributes firearms equipment all over the world.

“It’s very important to have people in political office that will stand and fight for these great American freedoms," NRA Executive V.P. Wayne LaPierre said. "Roy Blunt has proven again and again and again he’s one of those leaders.”

NRA Officials said Robin Carnahan supports strict gun laws and would be a rubber stamp for President Obama.

Carnahan campaign officials sent a statement in response to the NRA’s endorsement of Blunt. Carnahan wants to remind voters that she was in Columbia last weekend being endorsed by teachers.

“Congressman Blunt continues to try and create distractions from his record of waste, corruption, and sticking it to the middle class, but today is just another day that he has refused to answer questions about his multiple subpoenas in corruption cases, favors for convicted felons, and more than $500,000 in legal fees,” Carnahan campaign officials said in a statement.

NRA Blunt supporters said the Republican candidate would help prevent the Senate from confirming Supreme Court Justices who favor strict gun laws.

Robin Carnahan said she keeps guns at her farm in Rolla that her family uses for hunting and sport shooting.