NM United Way resumes calendar gun raffle sales
Twice-weekly event could raise $150K
ALAMOGORDO — The United Way of Otero County resumed its calendar firearms raffle sales this week after United Way Worldwide dropped its demand to cease and desist.
The United Way of Otero County had suspended the firearms raffle after receiving a letter from United Way Worldwide asking the local nonprofit to agree to stop the raffle immediately by signing a letter of agreement Aug. 3.
“We are very excited to refocus our efforts towards raising money for the 13 partner agencies that United Way of Otero County supports,” president of the United Way of Otero County Josh Beug said. “Our partner agencies make a real difference in the lives of Otero County residents. We are proud to be able to continue to help them financially.”
Beug said that, while the marketing efforts for the raffle will change slightly, “the rules will stay the same, the prizes will stay the same and all tickets that have been sold will be honored.”
He said United Way Worldwide dropped its previous demand.
“We’re fine with them,” Beug said. “We’re back on track. They’ve allowed us to continue. We’ve come to terms with them.”
United Way Worldwide spokesman Ryan Powers said the organization has no more to add to the United Way of Otero County’s statement.
“It’s an internal membership discussion and we’d prefer to keep it at that,” Powers said.
The United Way of Otero County teamed up with Western True Value to sell 2017 calendars with a raffle entry ticket attached to the calendar for $50. The raffle gives the purchaser the opportunity to enter into a twice-weekly firearms raffle. The raffle is limited to 3,000 tickets or calendars being sold. It could net the organization about $150,000 minus the cost of background checks of the winners of the firearms.
The firearms being raffled are rifles, shotguns and handguns that include an AR-15 rifle, a 12 gauge Mossberg shotgun, and various caliber rifles and handguns.
Western True Value Store Manager Kerry Maupin said the raffle will be conducted according to firearm laws, including a firearm background check on each winner.
“I think they realized that there were a lot of charters nationwide that were doing gun raffles,” Maupin said. “I am thrilled that we’re able to go forward.”
He said he’s sold a lot of calendars.
“A lot of these gun raffles across this nation help a lot of people,” Maupin said. “It’s our tradition. It’s our heritage.”
New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence Co-President Miranda Viscoli sent a letter to United Way Worldwide alerting the organization about the firearm raffle that led to the suspension of the raffle.
She said resumption of the raffle is “unconscionable. It has nothing to do with what United Way is about. They’re paving the road for other United Way branches to hold raffles.”
She also said she believes firearm background checks are flawed and a seller could sell it to buyer without knowing if they’re a terrorist or a convicted felon or a teenager.