The National Rifle Association is giving its supporters a chance to win a host of pricey firearms through a month-long online "banned-guns" raffle.
The group says it is raffling off "fantastic guns that Obama, Biden, Feinstein and Bloomberg want to ban."
The guns currently are on the market, but likely would be unavailable if any of the
gun-control laws proposed by lawmakers in Washington are passed.
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The NRA has held raffles before, spokesman Andrew Arulanandam told Newmax.
This was the "first time that it has been branded a 'banned-guns raffle,' but definitely not the first time we have given away these types of rifles," he said.
"This is something our members look forward to," Arulanandam said, noting that millions of people have participated in the past. "I think there are people outside of the NRA family who also will be interested."
Arulanandam said sweepstakes and raffles are conducted on an ad hoc basis, not necessarily annually.
The raffle's timing is challenging in the wake of last week's
mass shooting at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. — which left 12 victims dead and has given renewed attention to the national debate over gun violence — but the event has been planned for months and is featured in the current issue of the NRA's magazine.
Proceeds go "to support the ongoing efforts to promote gun-safety education and
preserve our Second Amendment freedom and hunting heritage," Arunlanandam said.
Among the firearms being raffled:
- A Barrett Rec7 rifle in 6.8 mm SPC
- A Centurion 39 Sporter AK-style rifle in 7.62 x 39 mm
- An FN SCAR 17S rifle in 7.62 x 51 mm
- A NATO, IWI US TAVOR SAR Rifle in 5.56 x 45 mm NATO
- A Les Baer Super Match rifle in .204 Ruger
- A Remington Model 700 CDL rifle in .270 Win.
- A Remington Model R-25 rifle in .243 Win.
- A Ruger SR-556 VT rifle in 5.56 x 45 mm NATO
- A SIG SAUER SIG522 SWAT rifle in .22 LR
- A Smith & Wesson M&P10 rifle in .308 Win.
- A Stag Arms 8L rifle in .223 Rem.
- A Winchester Model 70 Featherweight rifle in .30-06 Spfld.
Entrants may register online for up to 12 raffle tickets per person, per day. A suggested contribution is $5 per ticket, although no contribution is required for entry.
Entry deadline is 11:59 p.m. Oct. 21.
Contact the NRA for more information.