Illinois little league raffling off AR-15 rifle to raise money for equipment

A cash-poor Illinois little league is raffling off an AR-15 rifle to help buy new equipment for its twelve teams.  Tickets for the June 29 drawing cost $20 and —despite the winner receiving the same type of gun that was used in both the Aurora theater and Sandy Hook massacres — the fundraiser has already raised thousands of dollars more than last year's drive — and more than a few eyebrows.

The Atwood-Hammond little league raffle for the semi-automatic weapon, sponsored by a local sporting goods store and the Atwood Armory, has sparked interest in buying a ticket from as far away as Washington state, said organizers.

"It has been going gangbusters," Atwood Armory co-owner Charidy Butcher said. "My phone has been ringing nonstop since 4:30 this morning. It's just been crazy."

Butcher says the high-powered rifle wasn't chosen to make a political statement and sees no relation between the fundraiser and recent incidents that have thrust gun control back into the national debate.