ROCKPORT, Maine (AP) - A Maine congressman who has received support from the National Rifle Association says he doesn’t think arming teachers is the best way to curb school shootings.
Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin said Friday that “schools need to be protected,” but he prefers the idea of “someone who’s trained in law enforcement techniques, not teachers.” Poliquin said decisions about protection of schools should be left to local districts, not the federal government.
He also said background checks could be improved, and that iconic Maine retailer L.L. Bean’s decision to raise its minimum age on rifle sales from 18 to 21 is a private decision from a “responsible corporate citizen.”
The New York Times reported last year that the NRA reported spending more than $200,000 to help Poliquin’s political career.
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