Chester County Sheriff Defends Assault Rifle Raffle

You know, when you think about it, why wouldn’t a sheriff raffle off an AR-15 rifle if given the opportunity to do so? Sure, it’s the “civilian” version of the military’s M-16 assault rifle, and sure that seems a bit scary when Americans are skittish over mass-casualty gun attacks anyway, but Chester County Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh promises the whole thing is safe:

“I can understand that there may be people who are concerned,” Welsh told her local paper, The Daily Local News. “But you need to understand two things: This is a legal weapon, and the individual (who wins it) has to undergo a background check.”

The gun is being raffled to benefit the Chester County Deputy Sherrifs Assn. It’s drawing vocal criticism from other officials in the county.

“I so support the Second Amendment, and the right of citizens to bear arms,” said Oxford Mayor Geoff Henry. “But I am not sure why an average citizen would need to own an assault rifle. And I am a little concerned that the county sheriff’s department would need to raffle off that type of gun.”

The raffle will be held May 13 at the Downingtown Country Club. Bulletproof attire is optional.