McHenry gun shop owner cancels rifle raffle to help Orlando victims

A McHenry gun shop owner decided to cancel a raffle to benefit victims of the nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, after questions were raised about whether the even was legal, according to published reports.

Second Amendment Sports in McHenry said earlier this week it would sell tickets for $5 to win an AR-15 rifle, similar to the one a gunman used when he killed 49 people and injured 53 others at a gay nightclub on June 12.

However, under Illinois law, only nonprofit organizations can hold raffles.

Bert Irslinger Jr., a co-owner of the store and shooting range with his father, Bert Sr., said his family and workers also received death threats and rude comments by phone and social media, reports said.

The Irslingers announced the raffle as part of opening a new gun range and larger showroom. They had said the proceeds of the raffle of the AR-15, along with the store's own donation of $2,000, would go to the One OrlandoFund, run by the nonprofit group, Strengthen Orlando Inc.