PORTLAND, Maine (AP)   Maine gubernatorial candidate Shawn Moody is defending his call for teachers to spray fire extinguishers at school shooters by pointing to similar advice poised by some law enforcement experts.

Moody, a Republican, made the remark in a Monday radio appearance on WVOM-FM when asked about his thoughts on firearms.

Spokeswoman Lauren LePage said Wednesday that Moody’s comment was “off-handed.” But she added the federal Defense Logistics Agency and college officials have advised individuals to grab everything from office equipment to fire extinguishers to incapacitate assailants.

Moody called fire extinguishers a “great deterrent” if “somebody gets out of control.” He said a teacher could bring “someone to their knees” by grabbing and spraying a fire extinguisher.

Democrats said Moody’s not offering a serious solution to a national issue.