PORTLAND — Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence is endorsing independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler, with long-time board member Bill Harwood touting Cutler’s decision not to shy away from the issue.

Cutler supports background checks on all gun sales, calling it a commonsense measure to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands.

But he isn’t winning the endorsement of former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a gun control supporter who survived being shot in the head in 2011. Giffords and her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, are attending a fundraiser on Michaud’s behalf on Aug. 9 in Kennebunk.

Harwood said he found it odd that Giffords would be supporting Michaud, especially after Michaud voted last week in favor of an amendment to prevent the District of Columbia from enforcing its gun control laws.