In the wake of the mass shooting at a Florida high school, some local firefighter organizations are coming under criticism by community activists and on social media for raffling off firearms during fundraisers.
Firefighter associations in Normal, Carlock, and Pekin are participating in separate gun raffles.
Carlock community activist Mary Jo Adams said she is considering taking up a petition drive to stop the practice. Carlock firefighters are raffling off four guns, including a handgun and hunting rifle.
“This is a volunteer fire department and rescue squad. All of the good things they do shouldn’t be tarnished, if in the extreme case, one of these guns that somebody wins gets into the wrong hands,” said Adams, who is married to a Carlock volunteer firefighter.
Adams said the gun raffles have raised as much as $5,000 in funds in the past. Tickets usually cost between $10 and $20. The guns raffled off have retail prices of several hundred dollars.
“People need to start stepping up to this and saying, why are we doing this? If it is just to make money, isn’t there another way that is a little more positive?” Adams said.
Greg Mohr, captain of the Carlock Volunteer Fire Department did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Officials at Normal Firefighters Local 2442 and Pekin Local 524 said raffle winners receive coupons they can then use to buy something other than a gun at participating sporting goods businesses.
They said those seeking to claim a gun as their prize would have to pass the required background checks.
Pekin firefighter Tom Ventch said firefighters there use the funds they raise to support programs for physically challenged children, and other community activities.
Matt Hill of Normal Firefighters Local 2442 said he is aware of the recent criticism of the gun raffles, but that his local union currently has no plans to drop the practice. He said the raffles are popular in the community.
The town governments are usually not directly involved in the raffles.