Assembly candidate John Byrne has taken exception to one of his opponents saying he was not a sportsman and has never had a hunting license.

“I’ve had a hunting license since I was 16,” Byrne said, “and not just a regular hunting license, but the Super Sportsman license. Costs about $100.”

In a campaign season where many issues are taking a back seat to a person’s right to own and carry a gun, the charge against Republican Byrne by 116th Assembly District Conservative Party candidate Russ Finley on Friday was one that required an immediate response.

Finley also said Byrne had never been at any of the rallies to gain support for repealing the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013 gun control law, but Byrne says all you have to do is look it up on YouTube and you’ll see him at one of those rallies.

“I’m also the only person in the race who’s a vet,” Byrne said. “And I’m tne only candidate who was endorsed by the NRA.”

Byrne, of Cape Vincent, and Finley are challenging Democrat incumbent Addie Russell of Theresa, who represents people in all St. Lawrence County towns along the St. Lawrence River (Massena, Ogdensburg, Louisville, Waddington, Lisbon, Oswegatchie, Morristown, and Hammond) plus the towns of Canton, Potsdam, Rossie, Macomb, and DePeyster, and northern Jefferson County not including Watertown.

Boasting a little, Byrne said while hinting he has taken a bear, and a turkey with a bow. He said he is teaching his young daughter how to use a bow.

He said he has run “a positive campaign, and will continue to do so.”