Advice on doing a gun raffle for CCW cause

[Monkeyleg]

I received a really generous offer today, and am trying to figure out how to implement it.

A custom gunsmith here in WI offered to donate a custom pistol, holster and knife for a raffle to raise money for our group, the Wisconsin Concealed Carry Association.

Initially I thought about just sending out emails to those on our alert list. But it occured to me that there's probably people all over the country who would like to get in on a raffle for a good cause. If we raised enough money from this, we could do some serious advertising.

However, I don't have a clue (as usual ) about legalities, etc.

Does anyone have any experience in this?

Thanks much for any replies.

 

[PMDW]

I would think you would just handle it the same way as you would if you sold them the gun. Send it to an FFL in their area and they can pick it up there.

 

[Barbara]

You should be able to get details on your state's website. Here in Michigan, for instance, only 501(c)3 organizations can do raffles. Other non-profits have to do games of skill, auctions, what-have-you.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

I don't but I've seen Maryland do it on rec.guns and the NRA

I don't but I've seen Maryland do it on rec.guns and the NRA does it quite often. Notice that the NRA does it on a no obligation basis - raffle tickets are free.

When I had some involvement with such in a small population western state that had a constitutional prohibition on gambling (since rescinded in favor of Powerball money) a long time ago - the practice was that law enforcement wouldn't get involved in an honestly run, low profile operation for a good cause - but that did not mean it was legal just that it was tolerated.

Obviously it works for Happy Trails and LTW but those are for charities that literally have no enemies and a host of friends.

I wouldn't count on an eastern state to be so tolerant of a Concealed Carry Association.

 

[JohnKSa]

Sell tickets to all comers but make sure a disclaimer is printed on the ticket.

Disclaimer should read something like:

Contest not valid where not legal. Winner must be able to fulfill all Federal, State and Local legal requirements for handgun purchase. Winner must provide the address of an FFL holder local to him who will accept shipment of the prize. Winner must pay any fee(s) charged by the FFL to legally transfer the prize to the winner. If the FFL is unable to legally transfer the prize to the winner (due to a failed NICS check or due to other legal constraints) then the winner must pay return shipping on the prize and a second drawing will take place.

NRA or your state gun owners association may be able to give you a better disclaimer.

 

[Monkeyleg]

"Here in Michigan, for instance, only 501(c)3 organizations can do raffles."

Well, now, that's a problem. The WCCA is a lobbying group, and 501(c)3's are very limited in the amount of lobbying they can do. Granted, the anti's use their 501(c)3's to lobby all the time, but we're held to a higher standard.

Everytime we get someone to donate something for the cause, we run up against one law or another.

When we were doing the gun shows during the last legislative session, I came up with the idea of having a drawing. Our volunteers were helping people address pre-paid postcards to their legislators. I thought it would boost the number of postcards to announce that there would be a drawing of the cards at the end of the gun show, and the winner would get a valuable prize.

Unfortunately, state law says the drawing must be held in a public area--not one in which someone has to pay to enter. So there was only one gun show where we were able to set up our table outside the admission table. It's too bad, since we got more people to write their legislators at that show than at any other. (Prize was a $300 pair of Leupold binoculars).

There has to be a way to do this raffle legally.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Everytime we get someone to donate something for the cause, we run up against one law or another.

That's one of the few things government does well: make life difficult for ordinary folk.

 

[Barbara]

We had the same problem, Dick. We're a (c)4 and can't do raffles. However, you do have other options.

We had someone donate a really nice Kimber to us but we couldn't raffle it. However, we were able to use it as a prize in contest..so we had a membership contest..the person who signed up the most paid members won it. Worked out ok..we still got some funds and new members to boot.

We also auctioned a couple of AK's we had donated. That is legal here.