(JOPLIN) - U.S. Senator Jim Talent today announced his Sportsmen for Talent coalition with supporters who share his belief in the right to keep and bear arms, private property rights and other issues important to Missouri sportsmen.

“We are building coalitions in any way they organize and Missouri sportsmen are critical to our campaign,” said Sen. Talent, a member of the Congressional Sportsman Caucus.  “I believe the right to keep and bear arms is a very important part of the tradition and history of American life.  I’ve been fighting in the Senate to make certain we aggressively prosecute criminals for the illegal use of guns, not law abiding citizens.  I’ve also been fighting to protect Missouri property owners from the overreaching arm of the federal government.  Our farmers, ranchers and private landowners are the best stewards of the land, not the federal government.”  

As Missouri’s Senator, Jim Talent supports the right-to-carry.  He co-sponsored legislation, now law, to protect those who lawfully sell firearms from trial lawyers seeking to hold them accountable for the crimes of others.  Jim Talent also supports common sense measures such as allowing commercial airline pilots to carry firearms.  And he co-sponsored legislation, now law, allowing off-duty and retired law enforcement officials to carry firearms.  

On property rights, Sen. Talent believes the Supreme Court was wrong in the recent ruling on eminent domain.  He introduced legislation, now law, restricting the use of certain federal funds for projects that use the power of eminent domain for economic development.  

Sen. Talent is announcing his Sportsmen for Talent coalition at events today in Joplin and Poplar Bluff.  Missourians seeking to join the Sportsmen for Talent coalition are encouraged to visit www.talentforsenate.com or to contact the campaign headquarters at (314) 993-8235.