The NRA endorsed Edwards — one of the few pro-gun Democrats in the state Senate — over his Republican challenger Nancy Dye. Donald Caldwell, as an independent, wasn't considered by the group.

Since the Aug. 26 shooting of journalists Alison Parker and Adam Ward, Edwards has been criticized for his stance on guns by figures ranging from former Democratic Gov. Doug Wilder to Alison Parker's father.

During a small protest held at a gun show four days after the shooting, activists urged Edwards to break with the gun-rights lobby.

"He represents so many people who were heavily impacted by this shooting, and he has stood with the NRA too many times," said Catherine Koebel Stromberg, a Roanoker and member of Virginians for Responsible Gun Laws.

Edwards and Dye were both rated highly by the NRA, but Edwards nabbed the endorsement because he had a voting record to reinforce his policy positions.

Edwards, Dye and Caldwell all have pro-Second Amendment platforms. But Edwards — one of only two Democratic state legislators remaining in Southwest Virginia — has the most to lose if the heightened debate turns off voters in the district's Democratic strongholds.

In a written statement, Edwards said he was proud to have a broad cross-section of support from a range of groups — including the Virginia Education Association, Virginia Police Benevolent Association, Sierra Club, NARAL, Virginia AFL-CIO, Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors and the NRA.

"These groups support me because they know if re-elected, I will continue to fight for quality education, more good paying jobs, and the rights of all Virginians," he said.

Dye — endorsed earlier this week by the National Federation of Independent Business — noted in a statement that she received the highest NRA rating possible for a first-time candidate.

"As a gun-owner myself, I will always support a citizen’s second amendment right for responsible gun ownership," she wrote.

Caldwell, also a gun owner and NRA member, wasn't invited to answer the group's questions. But speaking generally to the endorsement process, he said he's grown weary of the flood of “self-serving” election questionnaires from special interest groups.

“Most of the questions are designed to lure you into a one-sided position without an opportunity to consider the broader spectrum,” he said. “Quite frankly, I think the better course of action is to not seek endorsements.”

Caldwell didn't answer a questionnaire sent by the pro-gun Virginia Citizens Defense League. Neither did the other 21st District candidates, though their campaigns cited time constraints and the sheer number of surveys received as the reason.

Within the local Senate races, only 20th District incumbent Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, and 19th District independent Steven Nelson answered the defense league's required questionnaire. Both were endorsed and rated very pro-gun.

In addition to Edwards, the NRA endorsed Republican David Suetterlein in the 19th District Senate race and Stanley in the 20th District. The Democrat running in the 19th District, Mike Hamlar, did not respond to the NRA's questionnaire.

20th District Democrat Kim Adkins — who's spoken in favor of a gun restraining order bill that Stanley opposed — was given an F rating by the gun group.

Petska is the political beat reporter for The Roanoke Times.