Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama "isn't going to take your guns," Montana's Sen. Jon Tester told reporters Thursday in a call from the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

"I talked to Obama straight up on it," Tester said. "He told me flat out, 'I'm not taking your guns away, and don't let anybody tell you that I will.' "

Tester flew to Denver with Obama Wednesday afternoon, after Obama made his fifth visit to Montana for events in Billings. He said he got a chance to talk with the nominee about a lot of things, including guns.

Tester, a Big Sandy farmer, told reporters that he's a guy "who likes my guns, to be honest with you" and said Obama looked him "straight in the eye" and said the Second Amendment will be safe under an Obama presidency.

The National Rifle Association, which typically supports Republican candidates and has an active political wing, has targeted Obama repeatedly for his record on guns, particularly in the Illinois Legislature.

The group, the nation's most prevalent gun lobby, has given Obama an "F" rating for his record and statements on gun rights. Republican likely nominee John McCain has a "C" rating from the group

In the Illinois Legislature, Obama represented Chicago, where 13 students were shot and killed last school year and gun violence plays a greater role in daily life.

As a state lawmaker, said Bridger Pierce, a spokesman for Montana Republican Party, Obama voted to ban shotguns and said he would support legislation to ban the production and ownership of handguns, both positions out of synch with Montanans.

"To suggest that Obama is on the right side of gun issues is entirely ludicrous," he said.

Pierce said Obama's record on guns is not limited to his past. Last year, Obama said he thought the District of Columbia's ban on handguns and requirement that rifles and shotguns be kept either locked or disassembled was constitutional, Pierce said.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the law, saying it violated the Second Amendment's right to keep and bear arms.

"Did (Obama) lie back then to get elected in Illinois," Pierce said. "Or is he lying right now to get elected president?"

Tester said he would go after the NRA for their attacks on Obama. He also said Obama will protect access to public lands and hunting areas.

"On the other side of the equation, McCain is talking about selling our public lands," Tester said.

Tester praised Obama for being "the real deal" and a down-to-earth, ordinary guy.

Tester also quashed suggestions that Montana's Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer might be on the short list for a cabinet position in an Obama administration, particularly after Schweitzer delivered a rousing, well-received speech at the convention Tuesday night.

Tester said Schweitzer wants only to be governor.

A superdelegate, Tester is in Denver to take part in the nomination of Obama for president.