The Times of London reported that powerful firearms were given as prizes in a fundraising lottery for a Texas girls’ softball team, which infuriated parents.
The Times noted that in the past, the South Montgomery County Girls Softball League’s annual end-of-season fundraising lottery included prizes of free league registration, premium parking, and things provided by area businesses.
The publication reported that this year, a $25 ticket provided the chance to win a Smith & Wesson 15T II semi-automatic rifle or a Glock 17 pistol.
One mom whose children play in the league informed local media that she had complained to the league’s board about the lottery. The league stated that it had received three complaints from parents regarding the raffle, as reported by the Houston affiliate of NBC News, KPRC-TV.
During an interview with KPRC-TV, Jessica England, a mother of three daughters, stated, “I was stunned.” “I find that quite upsetting.”
England told KPRC-TV that the awards were unsuitable for a fundraiser geared toward families. “They would not raffle off a basket of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes, nor would they raffle off a gift card to a [cannabis] dispensary,” she said. “I don’t believe this is appropriate for children’s activities either,” she said.
The awards also failed to take into account the community’s views regarding the May mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, where the league is situated, said England. “In less than four months, 19 children and two instructors were murdered with a semi-automatic assault rifle identical to the one being raffled here,” she told KPRC-TV.
In an initial statement to KPRC-TV, the league justified its choice. They stated, “The gun raffle is a lawful and frequent activity.”
“Before collecting a prize, all winners must pass a background check,” the statement stated. “Winners are ruled disqualified if they do not pass the background check. The SMGSL endeavors to meet the needs of our membership.”
However, KPRC-TV reports that the league has changed the award in response to the outcry. The local TV station claimed that instead of the firearms, the raffle winner will receive a $1,400 gift card to Springs Gun and Ammo, a local gun store.
The South Montgomery County Girls Softball League did not react promptly to an inquiry from Insider.