If you’re raising money, you want to raise as much of it as you can. If you’re having a raffle, the best way to raise as much money as possible is to raffle off something people see has a “big ticket” item. That’s why gun raffles have typically been so popular.
However, in the past, some parents get bent out of shape over the idea that a raffle is giving away a firearm.
Luckily, that nonsense is over, right?
Right?
Guns can be purchased at a gun shop or a gun show, but some people have shown concern about local youth sports leagues raffling off guns to raise money.
There’s been a lot of conversations between family members who don’t agree with this fundraising activity in the current climate.
When one woman saw the Shepherdsville Steelers from the Greater Bullitt County Youth Football League advertising a drawing for a 9mm glock, she couldn’t believe it.
“Just with everything that’s going on with these mass shootings, elementary schools and stuff, it’s really distasteful,” she said.
…
She took her concerns to the coach.
“He told me they have all their paperwork in order,” she said. “So this is a fundraiser they’re allowed to do, it’s quite legal.”
For her, it’s not about the legality or even about guns. She owns guns and has her own concealed carry permit.
It’s more about optics, setting an example for the kids, and putting another gun out into the world.
Except that with raffles like this, the gun isn’t handed over until the winner passes the required background check. If you win but you’re a convicted felon, you cannot take possession no matter how many winning tickets you have.
In other words, it doesn’t just “put another gun out into the world.” It puts a firearm in the hands of someone who is capable of buying one themselves.
But then again, this Karen is trying to claim it’s not about guns while also griping about putting another gun out into the world. Sure, grandma. Sure.
What this is really about is that this particular Karen wants to make it very clear that the issue is that guns should be taboo. They should be shielded away from anyone’s eyes.
That means no gun raffles, but also probably means no gun advertisements even in publications catering toward gun owners. It means no nothing that might paint guns as anything other than the forbidden.
The truth is, she can’t even really articulate her issue. Because of Uvalde, guns should be hidden? Well, because of Greenwood Park, they clearly shouldn’t be.
Frankly, I’m skeptical of her claims of having a concealed carry permit or even a gun herself. I’m skeptical because her actions and comments are little more than typical anti-gun nonsense.
I’m not even convinced her grandkids are players. After all, if she told the reporter that she didn’t want to be identified due to fear of retaliation, yet she also says she took her concerns to the coach. Does she think none of the coaches are going to remember Grandma Karen griping to them about the raffle?
No, a lot of this doesn’t pass the smell test to me.
Yet even if it’s all true, it’s nothing more than fearmongering over something harmless.
After all, we have yet to see a single mass shooting carried out with a firearm won in a raffle anywhere in the nation. It just doesn’t happen and I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for it to happen either.