Raffling off a controversial rifle, another gun and other items proved quite profitable for an area sheriff’s charity.
The Chester County Sheriff's Department raised about $20,000 through a gun raffle that included an AR-15 rifle similar to the one used in last year's shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.
The Daily Local News reports Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh says the proceeds of the raffle will benefit the county's six K-9 teams.
About 1,000 tickets were sold between January and May, according to Welsh.
West Chester businessman Mike Ivey won the first place prize, the Colt AR-15 rifle. He's already submitted for the required background checks and will undergo additional ones before taking possession of the rifle. The hunter and sportsman says he's happy and proud.
“I’m proud that I’m legally allowed to own (a rifle),” Ivey told the paper. “I’m also appreciative that the police let the public buy raffle tickets like these.”
Welsh told NBC10 Philadelphia that she already did a background check on the 50-year-old winner and that it came back clean.
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Welsh says the winner of a second gun, a .22-caliber bolt-action rifle, didn't want his name disclosed to the media. Other prizes included cash, guns and sporting equipment.
Welsh told the paper the department will begin another raffle in January. The items for that raffle still need to be determined.
