Iraq vet questions youth football gun raffle

[unhappycamper]

Source: Army Times / Associated Press

Iraq vet questions youth football gun raffle
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Aug 8, 2008 7:38:18 EDT

MILLERSTOWN, Pa. — An Iraq war veteran says a youth football league in central Pennsylvania is using inappropriate prizes in a raffle fundraiser: rifles.

David Diaz, who served two years in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division, said he doesn’t want his 9-year-old daughter, a cheerleader, to sell tickets for the October nightly raffle.

“It doesn’t seem right that we are using guns to raise money so they can play football,” Diaz said.

The money from the sale of the $10 raffle tickets will go to the Greenwood-Newport Midget Football Association, which puts on games with children ages 5 to 13.

Read more: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/08/ap_rifleraffle_080808/

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In case the link above isn't working: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/08/ap_rifleraffle_080808/

[kittycat1164]

1. huh?

“People hunt; guns are not just used for violence,” Dorman said. :shrug:

[DRoseDARs]

3. Probably had a beer in her hand when she said that. Probably didn't think that one through.

Just blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. :shrug:

[Dogtown]

4. Hunting *is* violent

I'm not going to get trapped in a flame-fest with any hunters out there, and I won't discuss hunting with any aficianados. Do what you want to do. Really.

Just agreeing with kittycat1164 that the statement is really stupid.

[bluerum]

5. Hunting of course, is such a non-violent, peaceful and calming activity.

[DRoseDARs]

2. Concern trolling from what I can tell. Raffle explicitly says children can't win or handle gun prize

And come on, adults don't want the latest Hannah Montana CD. It's gimmicky and maybe a little tacky, but I'm not seeing an issue with attracting adults with (non-sexual) adult prizes (dildos and rubber vaginas would be crossing the line a bit :P) in what I'm guessing is a rural area* which would be more prone to gun enthusiasts than an urban area. Yes, I'm sure there are many better options for raffle prizes in a small town (I've yet to do a raffle with guns offered as a prize) and I don't particularly like guns, but this raffle seems like it's on the level. The vet/parent just needs to chill; the guns aren't even present. You have to take the winning ticket to a gun shop and abide by the gun laws with regards to acquiring a gun in the state of Pennsylvania.

*According to Wikipedia, the 2000 US Census had this town at a whopping 679 people. Yeah, definitely rural.

[Tempest]

6. That's not the point he was making

He doesn't want his daughter selling tickets for a gun raffle.

It has nothing to do with a child winning or handling the gun.

I find it hard to believe any parent would want their kids selling tickets for something like a gun.

What's next, children selling tickets to raffle adult sex toys?

[Doctor_J]

7. Yes, god forbid they should raffle off gift certificates or cash prizes or the like

The gun culture lives in a world of their own.

[RamboLiberal]

8. Gun raffles and gun bashes are popular in many areas of PA

Big fundraising tool for many volunteer fire companies and gun clubs. I don't have a problem with those organizations using them for raffles, however I don't think they should be used to raise funds for children/youth activities.

[petronius]

9. Why is this even news? It's like an Onio headline: 'Area man has opinion about stuff'

:shrug:

[Judi Lynn]

10. It's heartening to learn someone has come back from Iraq actually deepened, and less inclined

to view life cheaply.

Hope his family is proud of him, proud to know him.