According to a New York Times accounting by Marc Lacey, the 'interim' chairman of the Pima County, Arizona Republican said "the raffle of the Glock pistol would go on."

Lacey further reports Shaw's comment:

"Had I known the reaction was going to be this strong, I would have taken that into consideration," Mr. Shaw said. "But we've done handgun raffles in the past and we'll do them in the future. We're not trying to offend anyone."

President Obama says that he didn't intend to steal the spotlight away from the NBC/Politico Republican Presidential Candidate debate next week either -- but let's just admit for a moment that while talking a real jobs strategy is vital now -- the President really did want to razz the GOP. That out on the table, the White House then had the decency to back off and respectfully gave House Speaker John Boehner his preference of a speech the next night.

Interim Republican Party Pima County Chair Mike Shaw should do the same and end this gun raffle. That Glock belongs in a hall of shame for the time being -- and his "principles" in wanting to remain on track with a $10 per ticket raffle is the move of a "cocky whacko."

There are many GOPers who I know are disgusted by this. It would be good to hear from them -- and also good to hear which standing Members of the US House of Representatives -- Democrat and Republican -- think that auctioning a Glock in the same district where their colleague was shot is a healthy, swift move for the country and the GOP.

This sort of reminds me of the cruel internet guy who extorted money from people so as not to kill a cute bunny he broadcast over a webcam.



The legal lines in these cases may put the protagonists in the clear, but sick is sick -- and many of my Republican friends need to do their part in calling out those in positions of party responsibility who are promoting violence.

UPDATE: My friend and fellow blogger James Joyner corrected me that while the same brand, the Glock is a different model. Thanks James.



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