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WASHINGTON - In case it wasn't obvious already, gun rights are going to be a big issue in 8th District Congressional race.

Republican challenger Stewart Mills, who first gained attention with 

 and whose family owns a chain of stores that sells firearms, is out with its first attack ad claiming that DFL Rep. Rick Nolan is an opponent of gun owners.

The ad's central claim, made by Mills, is that Nolan "has repeatedly voted to take away your rights" and highlight's Nolan's "F" rating from the National Rifle Association.

But while Nolan has voiced support for tougher background checks and limitations on the size of ammunition cartridges, the U.S. House has not considered any significant gun-related legislation since January 2013 when Nolan returned to office after a 32-year absence.

When asked to back up its claims, a campaign spokeswoman pointed to a 1978 vote during Nolan's first stint in Congress he made on an amendment to an appropriations bill that would have established a computer system to track firearms sales and an amendment vote in this Congress that would have added $20 million in funding for background checks.

In a statement issued by his campaign, Nolan called the ad "dishonest" and said he has long owned guns and supports the right to own them.

Nolan also dredged up a 2013 statement from Mills in which the Republican suggested increasing the federal excise fee on guns.

"If Stewart Mills wants to talk about guns, he should talk about how he wants to tax everyday Minnesotans who want to buy a gun -- but not his fellow millionaires," said Nolan.

The Mills campaign declined to say how much it's spending to air the ad, and a search of Federal Communications Commission files did not show any new spending by the Mills campaign.  The campaign is likely hoping the ad will generate online buzz from supporters.

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Brett Neely

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WASHINGTON - In case it wasn’t obvious already, gun rights are going to be a big issue in 8th District Congressional race. Republican challenger Stewart Mills, who first gained attention with a video aggressively backing gun rights and whose family owns a chain of stores that sells firearms, is out with its first attack ad claiming…

Mills attacks Nolan in gun-themed ad

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