Missouri Grade-School Baseball Team Sells Raffle Tickets For AR-15

Young boys ages 7-9 are selling raffle tickets for an AR-15 to raise money for their baseball team.

The gun was offered by the father of one of the players, who is the cofounder of an arms dealership in Neosho, MO.

Levi Patterson, the team’s coach, told Kansas City Star Saturday that he thought about choosing another prize after 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire in a Florida high school with an AR-15, killing 17 people, but he decided against it because he wanted to “turn it into a positive thing.” The idea was conceived of before the shooting occurred, and the winner must pass a background check before getting the gun.

When word began to spread about the raffle via Facebook, commenters were incensed that this gun was being offered as a prize – by children, no less.

“I applaud them for standing up for what they believe in,” Patterson told the Star. I just think they have feelings [about] this specific type of gun [which are] different than people around here do,” he said.

Meanwhile, according to Patterson, the media attention has skyrocketed ticket sales, and people across the nation have inquired about buying tickets.

He told the Star that all the boys have chosen to sell tickets, and clarified on Facebook that no team member would ever be forced to participate if they felt uncomfortable.

The AR-15 is the weapon-of-choice in mass shootings, renowned for its ability to do massive damage in a very short period of time.

[image via Kansas City Star/screengrab]

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Follow Rachel Dicker on Twitter @rachelmdicker