A Little League Raffles Off An Assault Rifle To Raise Money

The Atwood-Hammond Little League in east-central Illinois needs money to replace its crappy old equipment. In past years, the league has tried traditional fundraisers like auctioning off donated gift cards. But those efforts weren't always successful: Last year's hog roast, according to league commissioner Steven McClain, netted a total of just $10. So this year, the league decided to partner with a local sporting goods store to offer up an AR-15—a military-style semiautomatic weapon—complete with a 30-round magazine. Because who wants to win a toy without batteries?

From WAND's TV report:

"Guns are super hot right now, they're extremely hard to get—we decided to go that route," McClain said.

Gotta give the people what they want. The AR-15 is said to sell for more than $2,000. Charidy Butcher, co-owner of the store that partnered with the league, said yesterday that the effort has "been going gangbusters. My phone has been ringing nonstop since 4:30 this morning." Butcher also told WAND, "It's a piece of metal, basically. They're not gonna do the harm unless you've got the person holding them." She also said the raffle winner would have to undergo a background check. See kids? Everybody wins!

[ WAND / Opposing Views / Illinois Home Page; h/t JKC]