Lincoln County Republicans used to raffle off cakes at their annual fundraising dinner, but that was before they found out there was more money in guns, said county party Chairman Jon Propst.

Lincoln County Republicans used to raffle off cakes at their annual fundraising dinner, but that was before they found out there was more money in guns, said county party Chairman Jon Propst.

“We just realized what people were more interested in,” Propst said.

Propst said the raffling off of guns shows the party’s support for the Second Amendment.

It also helps them raise more money. The party raffled off guns last year for the first time at its annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner and brought in about $6,000 after the expense of buying the guns, he said.

That was a lot more dough than baked goods ever brought in, he said.

The county party will auction off 10 more guns at this year’s Lincoln-Reagan Dinner scheduled for March 12.

But the guns won’t just be handed out at the event. Those who win must be legal, Propst said.

“If you win we have a dealer who’s going to do the paperwork for us and you have to be able to pass all the regulations to win,” Propst said.

Guns to be auctioned off include an AR-15 rifle, a shotgun, handguns and a Henry-lever action .22-caliber rifle, better known as a classic Western rifle.

There might also be a few cakes that get raffled off, he said.

Formerly known as the Lincoln Day Dinner, the Lincoln-Reagan Dinner has long been one of the major fundraisers of the year for county GOP parties.

This year’s event in Lincolnton will feature Lt. Gov. Dan Forest as the main speaker.

Others scheduled to speak include state House Speaker Tim Moore of Kings Mountain and state Sen. Kathy Harrington of Gastonia.

“This is our premier event for the year and we expect to again have a great evening of speeches, fellowship, food, and fundraising,” Propst said via email.

Party leaders expect the event to sellout.

You can reach Kevin Ellis at 704-869-1823 or Twitter.com/TheGazetteKevin.

What: Lincoln-Reagan Dinner

When: 4 p.m. March 12

Where: St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 4051 King Wilkinson Road, Lincolnton

Cost: $30 for single; $50 for couples; tables for eight $200

Gun raffle tickets: $10 each or $25 for three

Event tickets and raffle tickets can be purchased from an executive board member or online at www.lincolncountygop.org using the donation link. Tickets can also be bought by sending a check to P.O. Box 1570, Lincolnton, NC 28092.