TACOMA, Wash. — Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank took to social media Monday, posting on X and asking his followers: “Do you think it’s time to ban trans people from owning guns?”

The post garnered significant reaction online. Swank later said the post was intended to provoke discussion.

“Speech is offensive—that’s what it’s about. That’s why we have freedom of speech,” Swank said in an interview with KING 5.

“I wanted to see what the people on the left would say,” he added. “People who say we should ban firearms—what are they going to say if I ask them a question about that?”

Swank told KING 5 that he believes transgender people have mental health problems. However, he said he does not believe all transgender individuals should be banned from owning guns.

“I didn’t put it out to be

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