By Steve Klamkin WPRO News

Governor Gina Raimondo Wednesday criticized Allan Fung’s “A” grade from the National Rifle Association, saying the Republican challenger “has stood with the NRA on a number of issues”.

Fung, asked directly by WPRO’s Tara Granahan about the gun owners group’s endorsement did not address it directly, but said he stands with law enforcement to make schools safe and to stop what he called Raimondo’s effort to make Rhode Island a “sanctuary state”.

“When I took action and banned guns in schools he opposed that and he put out his own solution, which is to arm civilians in schools,” said Raimondo, who was given an “F” grade in the ranking by the NRA’s political arm, the NRA Institute for Legislative Action.

“I care about the kids in our schools,” Fung said. “I put forward a school safety program that will keep our kids safe because they deserve the same amount of protection in our schools that these legislators walking on that disgusting Smith Hill deserve with their metal detectors and armed security guards.”

“This week, I lowered the flags to half-mast for the 12th time since I’ve been governor,” Raimondo said. “Enough is enough. It’s time for common sense gun safety laws.”

Fung countered with a pledge to “give our local law enforcement tools to stop, stop with all of this sanctuary city, sanctuary state nonsense that’s making our streets not safe.”

“They want to keep calling me… Go on, bring it on,” Fung said.

No other statewide Rhode Island candidates won an “A” grade from the NRA. Republican Secretary of State candidate Pat Cortellessa was given a grade of “B”. Democrats earning an “F” from the group include Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Lt. Gov. Daniel McKee and Attorney General candidate Peter Neronha.