Community Corner

Handgun the Prize in Raffle Fundraiser for Girls' Softball Team

What's your take on a gun raffle to raise money for youth sports teams?

A Georgia girls' softball team isn’t selling cookies, magazines or gift-wrapping paper to raise money this spring.

Instead, the Georgia Heat Select ’05 is raffling off a revolver — a Taurus Judge, to be exact — and it’s attracting attention.

A parent sent a copy of the raffle flyer to WSB-TV, which gauged local reaction at West Walton Park near Loganville. The comments ranged from “not a good idea” to “perfectly fine.”

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The raffle is benefitting the Loganville-based team of 8- and 9-year-olds to help cover expenses this season.

Anybody with kids involved in sports knows how costly it is, especially for teams that play in out-of-town tournaments with the costs of entry fees, travel, food and lodging. A tournament this weekend in Dublin, Ga., has a $300 entry fee, for one example.

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The WSB report has attracted attention on social media. The Facebook page of the ’05 Georgia Heat Softball Factory — which is not affiliated with the Loganville program — had some inquiries about ticket availability Thursday morning.

This is hardly the first time a youth sports program has raffled off a firearm to raise money — a simple “softball gun raffle” internet search will show you that.

Last spring, a St. Helens, Ore., softball league raffled off an AR-15 rifle, sparking strong criticism.

What’s your take?

Is a gun raffle a suitable way to raise money for youth sports teams? Tell us what you think in the comments below.


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