A far northern Illinois gun shop has really put itself on the map by announcing a raffle, for a semiautomatic Smith & Wesson M&P15 rifle, to raise money to help victims of the June 12 terror attack at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub.
Second Amendment Sports, located in McHenry near the Illinois-Wisconsin border, will run the raffle through the month of July. A winner will be named July 31, according to Bert Irslinger, Jr., who owns the store with his father, Bert, Sr.
In a press release, he stressed, “We denounce terrorism on our soil in any way, shape or form and we’re standing with American citizens and loved ones of the victims of this heinous act.”
Raffle tickets cost $5 and the drawing will be held in conjunction with the grand opening of Second Amendment Sports’ new store location.
“Gun owners and the gun industry have hearts,” Irslinger said in a telephone conversation. “We’re going to stand together against terrorism and hate crimes.”
There have been some nasty reactions on social media, but support for the raffle has come from all over the country, he said. People from as far away as Texas, Florida and Oregon have contacted the store. Second Amendment Sports has a history of supporting worthy causes including disabled children, cancer research and pet shelters.
