Missouri representative, Grain Valley School Board member offers AR-15 as raffle prize in fundraiser
GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. (KCTV) - A Missouri state representative is raffling off an AR-15 as part of his re-election campaign.
Jeff Coleman, a Republican who represents Grain Valley and parts of Blue Springs, is holding a “BBQ in the Park” campaign fundraiser on Sept. 30. The header on the event page mentions a drawing for an AR-15, though the text of the page describes it differently:
“Silent Auction items will be available to bid on as well as a drawing for an unnamed piece of defensive equipment that you can place on a rack in the back window of your pickup truck or a rack in your den,” the page reads.
KCTV5 reached out to Coleman and to his campaign to ask about the raffle and did not receive a response. He recently supported an array of pro-gun measures in Missouri, and his biography on the state’s website says he is “a proud member of the NRA.”
Coleman is also a member of the Grain Valley School Board. A district spokesperson said the board would not comment on the fundraiser, since it is part of a campaign event.
Some families in Grain Valley expressed concern about the raffle prize, especially in light of Coleman’s position as a school board member and recent school shootings involving similar weapons.
Jo Anne Honeywell, a Grain Valley resident, said she was upset when she heard about the fundraiser.
“You shouldn’t need to raffle weapons at a fundraiser,” she said. “Can’t you offer a fundraiser that brings people together in peace?”
Others in the rural Jackson County town did not see a problem.
“It’s just a gun,” commented Garold Elston. “I can see why people are sensitive about it, but I don’t think it should be an issue.”
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