Gun raffle raises concerns

VAN BUREN — The Van Buren Athletic Boosters recently shared an advertisement for a controversial gun raffle on Facebook, featuring an AR—15, a Glock pistol and another rifle. Comments under the post have called the raffle "beyond disgusting", "disheartening" and "shameful". Other people have shared concerns about a school organization affiliated with a gun raffle. The announcement comes out 10 days after the Michigan State University mass shooting that killed three students and injured five others and following the fifth anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting in Florida. "Considering that firearms are the number one cause of death among adolescents and teens, it's extremely alarming to see this endorsement directly from an organization that is meant to uplift these students and protect them throughout their high school experience," one commenter wrote. Others have said the event is in horrible optics. "There's a mass shooting in the news nearly every day, many using assault weapons like an AR—15," another commenter said. Others seem to also be in support of the event, calling it a "good raffle to have." Someone commented they'd take five tickets to "keep their second amendment rights." Booster member John Wheeler said the gun raffle is only part of a reverse raffle put on by the athletic boosters. He said the event will also include "typical reverse raffle" items. "(The gun raffle) is just part of the raffle being offered to adults that want to support the boosters," Wheeler said. "It's being done completely legally. No guns are being sold at the event." Winners will have to redeem a voucher for their choice of gun provided at the event, which include a BTC M4 Mod—0 AR—15, a Glock 43x or a Savage Axis XP 350 Legend with a scope. Winners could also choose a voucher for a deer hunting license instead. The $100 entry ticket includes food, beer and seltzers, water, soda and a chance to win $7,500. Participants need to be 21 or older to enter. Wheeler said there will also be auctions with items donated by local businesses from the community. His wife, Niki Wheeler, said, "(Raffles) have been proven to be very lucrative and that's all the boosters is trying to do, support the student athletes at VBHS."