The raffle of an AR-15 assault rifle to raise money for the Saint Helens Girls Softball League will get a public airing at a community meeting Thursday.
Some parents and players say the raffle of the DPMS Oracle assault rifle and two 30-round magazines (330 tickets for $10 each, or 6 tickets for $50) was approved by members of the league’s board without any input from them.
The league fields teams from girls ages 8 to 16, according to its website.
In an e-mail sent to The Oregonian from “concerned parents and citizens of Saint Helens,” those against the idea said they “feel that this type of raffle is unacceptable with regards to being linked to a youth sports organization. The board members are refusing to listen to our concerns and issues regarding this raffle. They have made it very clear that they do not care about how we feel about this fundraiser and will continue to sell tickets accordingly.”….
As of Wednesday afternoon, officials said all the raffle tickets had been sold. If sold at face value, the tickets earned the league $3,300. The gun manufacturer’s website says the weapon costs $849.00
March 24, 2013 7:11 AM
