Youth football cheerleading league in North Carolina takes flak for offering rifle in raffle

A nonprofit group in North Carolina elevating cash for younger athletes and cheerleaders stoked backlash after providing a rifle as a prize in a fundraising raffle.

The raffle held by East Henderson Youth Soccer and Cheerleading League (EHYFCL) in East Flat Rock, North Carolina, acquired criticism from some locals for providing the winner an FN15 Patrol Carbine, in accordance with native ABC affiliate WLOS.

“We aren’t providing an assault rifle; we’re providing an FN15 Patrol Carbine,” a spokesperson for EHYFCL advised Fox Information Digital. “That is an Armalite 15 fashion rifle, not totally computerized, which by definition excludes it from being labeled as an assault rifle. We’re following all ATF pointers; the merchandise is being held at an FFL, the recipient should full an ATF type 4473 and go an NICS background test earlier than taking possession of it.”

Some critics took challenge with the prize selection, believing it’s inappropriate for a youngsters’s league. Soccer gamers within the East Henderson league are 5 to 13 years outdated, and members on the cheer crew are ages 4 to 13, in accordance with the group.

“I used to be actually shocked after I acquired the message that the youngsters have been going to be promoting an assault rifle due to what’s happening at faculties across the nation,” an nameless involved mother or father advised WLOS. One other native mother or father who wished to stay nameless mentioned, “I assumed it was in very unhealthy style for them to decide on a weapon that’s getting used towards youngsters.”

NORTH CAROLINA RAFFLE SUSPENDED AFTER OFFERING AR-15 TO RAISE MONEY FOR HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLERS

The group additionally took flak from customers on Fb, who mentioned the raffle was all the things from “unhappy” and “unhealthy” to “disgusting” and “deplorable.” 

Leaders of EHYFCL additionally replied to the criticism in a Fb put up Thursday, writing “in response to complaints made each publicly and ‘anonymously’ relating to our raffle.”

Explaining that they’re at the moment taking functions for an official fundraiser, the group wrote, “When you’ve got a positive strategy to elevate sufficient cash shortly to get us by means of the remainder of the season and nonetheless have sufficient to start out up subsequent season, we want you to make use of that vitality in a optimistic approach.”

AFTER TEXAS SCHOOL SHOOTING, TEACHERS WEIGH IN ON HOW TO STOP THE VIOLENCE

After clarifying that their group isn’t affiliated with the varsity district or the county, the group mentioned, “The referees aren’t volunteers, the [law enforcement officers] and first responders for the youngsters’s security aren’t volunteers.”

“The usage of the sector, stadium, and amenities aren’t free, the misplaced uniforms, mouthpieces, chin straps, ear pads, bows, and socks aren’t free,” the group continued. “Tools isn’t free, the insurance coverage isn’t free, and all the opposite charges the league should pay aren’t imaginary.”

“If we’re not elevating sufficient cash, we’re compelled to lift charges,” group leaders added.

EHYFCL advised WLOS they “are at the moment elevating funds to buy new gear and to have the power to sponsor youngsters in our neighborhood who can not afford the registration charges.”

The raffle winner should be a minimum of 21 years outdated and go a background test, a league spokesperson additional defined, including that “the AR raffle has taken place three years consecutive and brings in probably the most assist we now have ever had.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The controversial raffle in Henderson County, North Carolina, comes months after an AR-15 raffle to profit highschool wrestlers at Chase Excessive College in neighboring Rutherford County was suspended amid issues about rising gun violence nationwide.