Oklahoma Little League team raises money by raffling assault rifle

ELK CITY, Okla., April 28 (UPI) -- The way a Little League team in Oklahoma is raising money for equipment and travel hasn’t been a hit with many members of the local community.

The Elk City Outlaws have come under fire for raffling off an AR-15 rifle, but their coach had no problem defending the idea.

“This is western Oklahoma. There’s a lot of people that carry guns out here and are proud of their guns,” coach Denny Geno told KFOR. “If you raise your kid the right way and they understand the safety then I don’t think there is a problem with it.”

According to Geno, the raffle winner will have to pass a background check before receiving the gun. He also said other local groups have raffled firearms in the past.

“I can see where those parents have concerns especially if they weren’t brought up around here,” said parent Andy Shelton. “For some people guns are just not their thing, but for people out here it’s a popular sport, hobby and activity that a lot of families enjoy.”

Other parents also didn’t have a problem with the rifle raffle.

“I ended up getting my son a little bitty 22 when he was four years old,” Christy Ham said. “We enjoy guns and teach our kids safety.”