Illinois politicians at odds over gun raffle that includes AR-15 style rifle

CHICAGO - Democrats in southwest suburban Kendall County say they’re disgusted and appalled by a Republican gun raffle that includes a weapon similar to the rifle used in Highland Park.

They’re calling on Republicans to cancel the upcoming raffle. But Kendall County Republicans say it’s the Democrats who are politicizing gun violence.

Kendall County Democratic Chairwoman Brooke Shanley says she was stunned when she learned county Republicans are raising political cash by raffling off guns.

"We’re not against responsible gun ownership at all. In fact, many Democrats around here do own guns responsibly," Shanley said.

The Kendall County Republican Party’s website features $20 raffle tickets offering the chance to win one of four guns, including a Smith and Wesson high-powered semi-automatic rifle that’s nearly identical to the weapon used in last week’s Highland park parade massacre.

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"Frankly, I thought it was disgusting," said Congresswoman Robin Kelly, chair of the Illinois Democratic Party. "I think it is inappropriate. Insensitive. And absolutely not necessary for a political party to raffle off, auction off guns."

"That particular gun is a military-styled weapon that is made for rapid destruction of any item, including human life as we saw in the Highland Park incident and really to continue on with an item that is capable of that much devastation is in poor taste and appalling and not safe for our community," said Shanley.

But Jim Marter, Chair of the Kendall County Republican Party, said the gun raffles are a popular and long-standing fundraising tool.

"This has been planned and we’ve been promoting it for quite a time," Marter said.

Marter said the gun raffle is also protected by the Second Amendment, and he accused the Democrats of playing politics with guns.

"Every time there’s gun violence, they want to make an issue of the Second Amendment. But it’s really about the criminals and the violence that’s pervaded our society," he said.

But his Democratic counterpart is calling for an end to the practice.

"I think out of consideration and respect for all the communities involved, the best thing to do at this time would be to cancel that raffle," Shanley said.

But the Republican leader said they have no plans to cancel the gun raffle, and Marter said if anything, the attack by Democrats will help Republicans sell more raffle tickets.

"What I see is every time there’s an evil act committed, the Democrat party is trying to politicize that and make an issue out of that and take away law-abiding citizens rights under the Second Amendment," said Marter.