Oklahoma Little Leaguers raffle off AR-15 for baseball money

A Little League team in Oklahoma in need of travel and equipment money found their solution in a raffle — of an AR-15.

“This is western Oklahoma,” Elk City Outlaws baseball coach Denny Geno told the local KFOR station. “There’s a lot of people that carry guns out here and are proud of their guns. If you raise your kid the right way and they understand the safety, then I don’t think there is a problem with it.”

The winner of the raffle will still have to pass a background check, Mr. Geno said, United Press International reported. Still, that provision isn’t calming some in the community who find the prize inappropriate. But others say: Don’t worry. Guns are part of Oakie culture, UPI reported.

“I can see where those parents have concerns, especially if they weren’t brought up around here,” said one parent, Andy Shelton, in the UPI report. “For some people, guns are just not their thing, but for people out here, it’s a popular sport, hobby and activity that a lot of families enjoy.”