Westbrook, MAINE – Yesterday, auto-body repair chain shop owner and Republican candidate for governor Shawn Moody took to Facebook to tout armed school resource officers “as part of the solution” to gun violence in schools. Of course, one of the other critical components of Moody’s plan is his widely-condemned and roundly-criticized suggestion that teachers and students use fire extinguishers to combat school shooters.

But, as Moody talks about school resource officers on Facebook, below are five questions that Silent Shawn still hasn’t answered regarding commonly-discussed gun safety measures:

  1. Would you support an assault weapons ban – with assault weapon being defined as a semi-automatic weapon that has or can be altered to have a clip/magazine with more rounds?
  2. Would you support a ban on clips/magazines exceeding 10 rounds in capacity?
  3. Would you support a ban on so-called “bump stock” devices?
  4. Do you or would you support L.D. 1761? This bill would lift the ban on firearms on public school property in Maine provided the weapon is unloaded and either locked in a vehicle gun rack or locked case. The law would also require that the owner of the vehicle and the firearm remain in the vehicle during the visit to the school grounds. Current Maine law prohibits firearms on public school grounds with exceptions for law enforcement?
  5. Do you support requiring a NICS (National Criminal Instant Background Check System) check for all gun sales in Maine, including private sales between individuals?

These questions were posed by the Maine Sunday Telegram to 14 candidates for governor – Republican, Democrat, and Independent. Silent Shawn was the only candidate who refused to answer them directly. After he faced criticism from Mainers for ducking the questions, he argued that he thoughtfully responded.

He didn’t – and Maine people are still waiting for answers.

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