Gun Group to Give Away AR-15 Semiautomatic Rifle

The Bushmaster AR-15 semiautomatic rifle—weapon of choice for Newtown shooter Adam Lanza, among others—might well be the most vilified and the most popular gun in America. Hence, the controversial new raffle by the Tennessee Firearms Association: The group is giving away an AR-15 on Monday as part of a contest on its website, reports the Tennessean. The goal is “to advance the effort to resist Barack Obama, the federal government and even a few in Tennessee state government who are determined to destroy your 2nd Amendment rights!!” the site explains.

So far, more than 10,000 people have signed up for a chance to get the free gun, which would probably retail for at least $1,000. Says one local advocate for more gun control: “The TFA's assault weapon giveaway just four months after Newtown and in the middle of our country's debate about gun safety is in-your-face insensitive." The raffle began just before legislation to tighten gun laws fell apart in the Senate. (A new effort there is reportedly taking shape, however, and the Week has more details on that.)