HOULTON (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- What started as a Project Graduation fundraiser for Hodgon High School seniors has spurred controversy online.
MACS Trading Post in Houlton, a sporting goods store in Aroostook County, posted details of the raffle to their Facebook page last month.
The winner would receive a SD9 9mm.
In light of the recent school shooting in Florida, some people felt the timing of the raffle was in poor taste.
“Is this really an appropriate item to be raffling off right now?” One person commented. “Imagine that if anything went south whomever came up with this brilliant idea might be looking at some jail time.”
However, the owner of MACS Trading Post is standing by her decision to raffle the handgun. She explained to critics that the raffle was conducted through the store and not the school, therefore all laws apply. The winner would have to pass the required checks to even receive the firearm. Those would include a Form 4473 and a FBI background check. If the winner did not pass the required checks, the store would pick another name.
A statement from MACS Trading Post to NEWS CENTER Maine said, “We will not apologize for supporting our youth and community nor our constitutional right to bear arms.”
The statement went on to explain that MACS often uses this type of raffle as a fundraiser for community events. In the past, it has raffled off firearms to raise money for local memorials in honor of fallen soldiers and veterans, nearby museums and families who are struggling to pay medical bills.
Raffle tickets are five dollars apiece, the winner will be drawn at the end of the month.
Here is the full statement:
We are a gun store holding a gun raffle with the intended audience of our local customers who want to help support our senior class. This is the same type of raffle we have held for an annual memorial weekend for our dear friend who gave his life serving our country in Afghanistan in 2012. Also for veterans who are currently trying to raise money in support of a memorial in their local community to recognize those who have served our country. For a local museum and other non profit organizations trying to support our community efforts. And raffles too for family suffering from tragedy or sicknesses and the expenses that can come from them. So yes, we hold raffles to help support many efforts in our local community. And yes, the money raised from this raffle will then go to support the costs of our local Project Graduation. If you understand Project Graduation, you realize it is an organized effort by parents, students and communities to provide a safe, encouraging and memorable place and time for our seniors to celebrate all of their achievements in a place free from the pressures society can place on them of drugs, alcohol and even violence. We will not apologize for supporting our youth and community nor our constitutional right to bear arms.
