GE Gas dryer stops running when start switch is released

I’ve got this GE gas dryer that’s about 4 years old. I’ll get the model number before my next post but I don’t have it handy now. It’s a very basic model with no bells and whistles. The dryer had very little use before being put into storage due to a military move. I’ve decided to sell it now but in trying it out, I found that it only runs as long as you hold in the start switch (knob). It is not connected to a gas source, does that have anything to do with it? If not, where should I look? Thanks.