The Little Rock Police Department in Arkansas has cancelled an upcoming raffle for an AR-15 rifle following controversy and backlash from the community. The raffle was originally planned as a fundraiser for the department’s upcoming National Night Out event in October.
The decision to cancel the raffle came after concerns were raised about the appropriateness of raffling off a weapon that has been associated with mass shootings in the past. Critics argued that the AR-15 rifle is a symbol of gun violence and should not be used for fundraising purposes.
In a statement released by the department, Chief Keith Humphrey acknowledged the concerns and explained that they had reevaluated the decision to hold the raffle. He stated that the department’s primary goal is to foster positive relationships with the community and that they did not want the controversy surrounding the raffle to detract from that mission.
The cancellation of the raffle has sparked mixed reactions from the community, with some praising the department for listening to the concerns of the public and others expressing disappointment that the fundraiser had to be called off. The department has not announced any alternative fundraising plans at this time.
Overall, the decision to cancel the AR-15 raffle demonstrates the importance of listening to community feedback and being mindful of the sensitivity surrounding certain issues, particularly in the current climate of heightened gun control debates. The Little Rock Police Department’s handling of the situation serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining open communication with the public and being responsive to their concerns.
Source
Photo credit news.google.com